// startup autopsy
Workstir
An HR SaaS that launched into the eye of the financial storm.
timingSlow Death
Years-long decline before final shutdown · Fatal mistake: Launched an HR SaaS product directly into the 2008-2009 global financial crisis when enterprise budgets were frozen.
Key Events Timeline
FOUNDING
Workstir founded in the USA as an HR/workforce SaaS platform.
PRODUCT LAUNCH
Product launched publicly amid the deepening global financial crisis, finding little enterprise demand.
LAYOFF
Team reduced as customer acquisition failed to meet targets in a frozen HR spending environment.
SHUTDOWN
Workstir shut down after failing to generate sustainable revenue through the post-crisis period.