Science & Technology

How to handle layoffs with compassion with Ayal Yogev, Anjuna

This week’s guest is Ayal Yogev, co-founder and CEO of Anjuna Security, who has experienced both sides of the startup journey: scaling quickly during the boom years and then making the incredibly difficult decision to lay off a significant portion of his team when the market shifted. From growing to 75 employees to scaling back…

Published

7 months ago

April 9, 2026

CYBER TECH TV

From growing to 75 employees to scaling back and rebuilding, Yogev learned firsthand that the hardest part of leadership isn’t hiring fast, it’s making tough decisions with care, transparency, and integrity.

In this episode, Isabelle Johannessen and Yogev unpack what it really means to lead through layoffs with compassion and how founders can support their teams even in the most challenging moments. They also explore the lessons learned from scaling too quickly and how to build a more resilient company the second time around.

Apply to Startup Battlefield: We are looking for early-stage companies that have an MVP. So nominate a founder (or yourself): techcrunch.com/apply. Be sure to say you heard about Startup Battlefield from the Build Mode podcast.
TechCrunch Disrupt: If you’re thinking about applying to Startup Battlefield, then October 13 to 15 in San Francisco, we’re back for TechCrunch Disrupt, where the Startup Battlefield 200 takes the stage. So if you want to cheer them on, or just network with 1000s of founders, VCs, and tech enthusiasts, then grab your tickets.

Use code buildmode15 for 15% off any ticket type.

New episodes of Build Mode drop every Thursday. Hosted by Isabelle Johannessen. Produced and edited by Maggie Nye. Audience development led by Morgan Little. Special thanks to the Foundry and Cheddar video teams.

Chapters:
00:00 We grew too fast
02:30 What Anjuna actually does
04:45 Scaling the team quickly
06:10 The market crash hits
09:40 Handling layoffs with empathy
12:10 Supporting employees the right way
15:30 Why culture matters in crisis
20:50 The hiring mistake founders make
27:40 When to scale your sales team
34:40 Rebuilding after layoffs

Up Next

Americans loved drinking radioactive ‘miracle water’ in 1920s

Don't Miss

First Look at Dyson’s $99 HushJet Mini Cool Portable Fan 🪭

1 Comment

@eatmanyzoos

April 10, 2026 at 12:10 pm

why not be smart enough to create something that can survive in any market? unless you have no creativity and make decisions based on trends and data and not the human spirit.

Reply

CNET

How to Download and Use Google Gemini for MacOS

Google’s Gemini multimodal AI is available for MacOS and Windows. CNET’s Stephen Beacham demonstrates how to download and install it on a Mac, and walks you through every button and feature in the app. Read more about the Gemini App for MacOS on CNET.com MacOS Now Has a Native Gemini AI App Gemini for MacOS…

Published

20 hours ago

October 31, 2026

CYBER TECH TV

Read more about the Gemini App for MacOS on CNET.com
MacOS Now Has a Native Gemini AI App

Gemini for MacOS Gets New Voice and ‘Screen Awareness’ Features

Timecode Chapters:
0:00 Introduction to Google’s Gemini App for macOS
0:23 How to Download and Install Gemini for Mac
1:03 Testing the “Speak to Window” and FN Key Dictation Features
2:08 Testing Gemini’s Reasoning Feature to Summarize Highlighted Text
2:41 Overview of the Gemini App Interface for macOS
3:07 Choosing Flash Models and Managing Chat Preferences
4:22 Using the Camera, Attachments, and Exploring Multimodal AI
5:13 Sharing App Windows with Gemini for Real-Time Assistance
6:05 Using the Lasso Tool for Screen Analysis
6:33 Exploring Deep Research, Image/Video Generation, and Personal Intelligence
7:33 Gemini App walkthrough outro

Video Credits:
Producer Editor: Stephen Beacham
Thumbnail Designer: Zain bin Awais

Add CNET as a trusted news source
Never miss a deal again! See CNET’s browser extension 👉
Check out CNET’s Amazon Storefront:
Subscribe to CNET on YouTube:
Follow us on TikTok:
Follow us on Instagram:
Follow us on Bluesky:
Like us on Facebook:
CNET’s AI Atlas:
Follow us on X:
Visit CNET.com:

#google #googlegemini #gemini #geminiapp #mac #macos #ai #artificialintelligence

CNET

Unboxing Apple’s $149 HomePod Mini 2 in Green

Apple’s new HomePod Mini 2 is equipped with a full-range driver and dual passive radiators, made for 360-degree sound. It measures about 4 inches across, and will come equipped with the S10 chip, which Apple says analyzes music in real time to optimize it. Unbox it with us in their new green color. #unboxing #onemorething…

Published

1 day ago

October 30, 2026

CYBER TECH TV

🎥: Bridget Carey

CNET

iPhone Duo Livestream: How Many Folds Can Apple’s Phone Take? Day 5

Apple’s iPhone Duo is out and we want to see how durable it is. So we built a robot to fold it 20,000+ times a day to test its limits. How long do you think it will last? 100,000 folds? 200,000 folds? 500,000 folds? Tune in and watch the testing live. We’ll have CNET’s editors…

Published

1 day ago

October 30, 2026

CYBER TECH TV

Join us weekdays from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM PT / 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM ET.

Read more about the iPhone Duo Folding Test on CNET.com
The iPhone Duo Is Now in Our Custom-Made Foldable Phone Test Machine. Will It Beat the Galaxy Fold 8?

iPhone Duo Review: Late to the Foldable Party, but It Steals the Show

Check out the 3D Printer Matthew Murray used to print the sled that iPhone Duo is sitting on:
Looking for the Most Accurate 3D Printer? Our Exclusive Testing Reveals One Clear Winner

Video Credits:
Host: Matthew Murray
Producer: Stephen Beacham
Thumbnail Designer: Zooey Liao

#apple #iphone #iphonefold #iphoneduo #applefoldable #foldablephone #foldable #folding