Orka

About Orka

Orka (operating as Orka.works) provides a technology-driven platform for temporary staffing, functioning as a two-sided marketplace connecting shift workers with large corporate employers. Founded in 2016 in Manchester, UK, by Tom Pickersgill, James Doyle, and Nick Groves, the company, originally named Broadstone, was established on the conviction that the traditional recruitment agency model was inefficient. Pickersgill, a former professional footballer, and his co-founders aimed to streamline the process for finding, vetting, and paying hourly workers.

The company's primary service, the Orka Works mobile application, serves as a comprehensive tool for the entire temporary employment lifecycle. For workers, the app facilitates job discovery in their local area, allows them to apply for specific shifts, and manages their work schedule. A key feature is Orka Pay, which grants workers access to up to 50% of their earned wages immediately after completing a shift, offering a flexible alternative to traditional monthly pay cycles. The platform also handles PAYE contributions and holiday pay accrual, providing structure and security for its users.

For its business clients, Orka offers a transparent and efficient method for filling temporary staffing needs. Employers can post available shifts, and the platform uses its technology to match them with qualified and fully vetted workers from its user base of over 60,000 people. The service includes stringent, industry-specific background checks, such as BS7858 screening for security personnel, ensuring a compliant and reliable workforce. This integrated system handles recruitment, onboarding, timesheet management, and payment processing, aiming to reduce administrative overhead for companies. The business model appears to be a commission-based one, with a "no shift filled, no fee" promise, meaning clients are only charged for the shifts successfully filled and worked through the platform.

Orka targets large organizations primarily within regulated industries such as security, cleaning, facilities management, logistics, and hospitality. The company has successfully secured major clients, including security giants G4S and ISS. Significant milestones include receiving Northern Powerhouse Investment Funding in 2017, securing a £29 million funding round in 2021 composed of debt and equity, and another £3 million from Praetura Ventures in 2022. However, after facing challenges in gaining traction with large partners and securing further investment, the parent company, Orka Technology Group, entered administration in March 2024.