The CEO of American fintech company Bolt has ignited widespread debate after revealing that he dismissed the company’s entire human resources department, claiming the team was “creating problems that didn’t exist.”
Ryan Breslow, the company’s co-founder and CEO, made the remarks during a recent workplace summit while discussing Bolt’s efforts to restructure and rebuild after years of financial struggles.
According to Breslow, the layoffs were part of a broader effort to return the company to a lean startup culture focused on speed, productivity, and artificial intelligence-driven operations.
“We had an HR team, and that HR team was creating problems that didn’t exist,” Breslow said during the event. He added that many of those issues “disappeared” after the department was removed.
Bolt Shifts Back to “Startup Mode”
Bolt, a fintech company known for developing online checkout and payment technology, experienced explosive growth in recent years. At its peak in 2022, the company reportedly reached a valuation of nearly $11 billion before suffering a dramatic decline. Reports indicate the company’s valuation later dropped to roughly $300 million amid operational challenges and multiple rounds of layoffs.
Breslow, who returned as CEO in 2025 after stepping away from leadership, explained that the company needed a complete cultural reset.
He said Bolt is now operating with a significantly smaller workforce and relying heavily on AI tools to improve efficiency. The CEO also argued that some employees had become too comfortable during the company’s rapid expansion phase.
“We need people focused on getting things done,” Breslow reportedly stated while criticizing what he described as a culture of entitlement and excessive complaints within the company.
Online Reactions Divided
The CEO’s comments quickly triggered strong reactions across social media and business communities.
Some users supported the move, arguing that certain HR departments can slow innovation and create unnecessary bureaucracy in fast-moving startups. Others, however, warned that eliminating HR entirely could expose the company to legal, ethical, and workplace culture risks.
On Reddit and LinkedIn, many commenters argued that HR departments often serve as safeguards against lawsuits, workplace misconduct, and employee disputes. Critics claimed that removing HR may silence internal concerns rather than solve them.
One LinkedIn user compared the move to “removing smoke detectors and claiming there are no fires anymore,” while others suggested the decision could create long-term management problems for the company.
AI and Workforce Restructuring
The controversy also highlights a growing trend in the tech industry, where companies are increasingly restructuring teams and replacing some traditional roles with AI-powered systems.
Bolt’s leadership says the company now operates with a much smaller but more energetic workforce. Breslow claimed customers have noticed improved service and attention following the restructuring.
The debate surrounding Bolt’s decision continues to fuel broader discussions about the future of HR departments, workplace culture, and the role artificial intelligence will play in modern companies.
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