Salesforce closed its Australian venture capital division following global layoffs at the firm that impacted 10% of its global workforce, or 8,000 employees.  The Australian venture arm's managing director, Mike Ferrari, was also laid off. The firm will manage and engage with its 17 local portfolio companies through the U.S. venture division.  Salesforce established the VC arm in Australia and armed it with $50M in 2019 to invest in local technology companies.  The local venture division was an extension of its U.S.-based venture division that has invested over $5B in startups to date.  Notable Australian startups in its portfolio include Go1, Culture Amp, Athena Homeloans, Marketplacer, and Airwallex.  Ferrari was formerly a managing director at CIA's venture capital firm In-Q-Tel before joining Salesforce.  Salesforce's local representative insisted Ferrari's departure will not affect the company's Australian interests.