Orka Technology Group: Stirring the Shift‑worker Scene
In a swoosh of cash and ambition, Orka Technology Group — the Manchester‑based brainchild of hourly‑paid worker solutions — has just scooped up £29 million in its freshest funding round. The money will turbo‑charge Orka Pay, the startup’s earned‑wage‑access gem that lets shift workers grab a slice of their pay right after they earn it.
Who’s in the investor mix?
- Debt from Sonovate – the boss who knows how to lend with a smile.
- Equity from the British Business Bank Future Fund – because good governance tastes good.
- Some familiar faces: former Adecco chief Peter Searle and a handful of other VCs who’ve put their faith (and funds) into Orka for the past few years.
That brings Orka’s total raise since 2017 to a tidy £31.5 million. For a company that popped up last decade, that’s a solid raise‑up.
What’s the cash going to do?
Orka isn’t just going to keep growing Orka Pay – it’s also eyeing a workforce boom:
- Double its headcount to 50 employees by the end of 2021.
- Deploy the funds across its entire tech toolbox for shift workers, including the flagship Orka Works – a labour‑as‑a‑service platform that helps folks snag fair, flexible temp gigs.
“We’re all about that flex‑work culture,” Tom Pickersgill, Orka’s co‑founder and CEO, puts it. “With this capital, we can give more businesses and workers exactly what they’re craving: a smoother, faster, less‑burdensome experience.”
Why Orka Pay matters
Last year, Orka Pay rolled out its paid‑to‑earn feature, letting shift‑worker partners tap up to 50 % of their earned wages right away. No more juggling high‑interest loans or trying to cram a credit card into the pocket of a daily hustler. It’s the kind of convenience that feels like a hug for the wallet.
Other cool products in the pipeline
- Orka Works – formerly “Broadstone”. It’s already a hit with over 50,000 users and got a 150 % YoY revenue sprint last Q3. Clients include giants like G4S and ISS.
- Coming soon: Orka Check. This will streamline worker background checks, so businesses and workers can get connected faster and safer.
Investor cheer
Peter Searle, the Adecco rockstar and existing investor, is thrilled: “Orka is turning the dial up on temporary work. They’ve nailed a vital niche where folks want gig life that fits their lifestyle. I can’t wait to see them crush the next growth wave.”
Industry buzz
Just when it seemed like we’d peaked, Orka was also scooped up in Tech Nation’s Upscale 6.0 programme – the elite squad for the UK’s hottest scale‑ups.
Ready to keep the wheel turning?
So if you’re a shift worker looking for fast wages or a business searching for flexible staffing solutions, Orka’s got a ticket to ride. With fresh funding spinning the engines, the future looks flexible, friendly, and, frankly, a lot more fun.
