The wave of job cuts among venture-backed tech companies has hit Columbus big data and cybersecurity startup Aware, which had seen increased demand as employers rapidly adopted work-from-home during the pandemic.
Aware's move to its new Brewery District headquarters is proceeding "with some adjustments to investments and timing," the company said in an emailed statement.
The company confirmed "some eliminations" were made Thursday to maintain an efficient operation in line with resources. But at the same time, Aware is making "key hires" in strategic positions with a goal to accelerate growth, it said in the statement.
"We remain committed to growth and look forward to ongoing success," the company said.
The company through a spokeswoman declined to enumerate how many jobs were cut, nor how the hires would offset them. As of October, Aware had some 120 employees with about 20 more hires expected by year's end.
Large employers use the cybersecurity and sentiment analysis software for collaboration platforms like Slack and Facebook Workplace.
Aware pledged to surpass 210 jobs in a five-year city tax incentive Columbus City Council approved in July, which would pay a variable rate on employee city income tax withholding above the baseline of 60 jobs. Under its agreement, 2023 is the first year for which Aware can receive credit for jobs growth, for a potential first payment in 2024, according to the Department of Development.
The six-year-old company raised $60 million in a late 2021 round led by Goldman Sachs, and is aiming for an IPO or acquisition in the next few years. Aware, the DBA of Nullable Inc., has raised a cumulative $83 million in venture capital.
The startup is investing $1.2 million renovating the century-old Hoster Brewing Co. Ice House at 455 S. Ludlow Alley, according to city council documents.
Aware will move into part of the space next week, while construction continues in the rest of the leased floors through March, according to the company statement. The company is taking up three of the historic building's four floors.
"Our office provides a sense of identity and a place of community, which remains incredibly important to the culture of Aware," it said in the statement.
Next door in the Brewery District, the mixed-use Front & Fulton project has been delayed. That project would rehabilitate 10 contiguous historic buildings, totaling about 244,000 square feet, into apartments, offices, shops, outdoor gathering space and more.
