GoPro weighs sale or merger as layoffs hit 145

In the past, we reported that GoPro was set to lay off around 23% of its workforce. Now the company has announced it will evaluate a range of strategic alternatives for its future.

Restructuring plan

In April 2026, GoPro notified the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that it would restructure the company. The action was taken “to reduce operating costs and drive stronger operating leverage.”

As part of the restructure, GoPro plans to lay off around 145 employees, or roughly 23% of its workforce. The move will also cost the company between $11 million and $15 million in termination benefits.

Review of strategic alternatives

On May 11, 2026, GoPro announced that its Board of Directors had authorized the company to engage in a “strategic process.” The Board says it will also evaluate a range of strategic alternatives. These could include “a sale of the company or merger, aimed at maximizing value for stockholders.” GoPro has engaged a financial advisor to assist with the process and plans to work with independent financial and legal advisors.

Defense sector

In the announcement, GoPro revealed that the review followed its recent engagement of Oliver Wyman, a global leader in defense-sector consulting. GoPro said the move was meant to “support the Company’s expansion into the defense and aerospace markets.” Since announcing the initiative on April 13, GoPro says it has received “several unsolicited inbound strategic inquiries.”

What next?

GoPro and its Board of Directors say they have not set a timetable for the conclusion of the evaluation. The company will not issue further statements on the strategic review “until it deems further disclosure is appropriate or necessary.”

However, the Board says it remains “fully committed to acting in the best interests of the Company and its stakeholders throughout this evaluation.”

What we think

GoPro’s latest announcement points to ongoing concerns about the company’s viability. The growth of competitors such as DJI and Insta360 has severely hurt GoPro’s profitability. The redundancies alone won’t solve the company’s financial woes. From this week’s announcement, it’s also clear that GoPro is exploring the defense and aerospace markets. Given the U.S. government’s current hostility toward Chinese companies, this is an area where GoPro has a geographic advantage.

The question is whether this new market is enough to sustain GoPro in its current form. It’s also unclear whether the defense and aerospace products will sit alongside the company’s consumer ranges or replace them. For the time being, we’ll have to watch and wait.

Pete Tomkies
Pete Tomkies
Pete Tomkies is a freelance filmmaker from Manchester, UK. He also produces and directs short films as Duck66 Films. Pete's horror comedy short Once Bitten... won 15 awards and was selected for 105 film festivals around the world. He also produced the feature film Secrets of a Wallaby Boy which is available on major streaming platforms around the world.

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