Orquest, Top 20 AI Startup to Watch in 2025

• Orquest has been recognized as one of the Top 20 AI Startups to Watch in 2025, showcasing AI-driven workforce optimization for retail and restaurant operations.
• Selected as a finalist for the 4YFN25 Awards at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Orquest exemplifies AI’s power as a force multiplier for business growth.
• Managing over 250,000 store and restaurant employees across more than 80 countries, Orquest is transforming workforce planning through advanced AI forecasting and scheduling.

Barcelona, March 2025. Orquest, the AI-powered smart planning solution for retail and quick-service restaurants (QSR), has been named one of the Top 20 AI Startups to Watch in 2025 at the 4YFN25 Awards at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona. Recognized for its innovative approach to workforce optimization, Orquest is revolutionizing store operations for global brands by leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to synchronize staffing with demand.

The 4YFN25 Awards spotlight the most promising AI-driven startups poised to become category leaders by 2028.  This year, startups from 65 countries applied, with 60% leveraging AI as a core component of their business models. These candidates were carefully evaluated by 25 independent judges, including investors and industry experts.

The Top 20 AI Startup to Watch selected companies exemplify the AI XL philosophy—harnessing artificial intelligence not just as a tool but as a force multiplier for exponential growth. Orquest stands out in this elite group for its impact on the retail and restaurant industries, where it automates and optimizes workforce planning at scale.

Orquest: AI-Powered Workforce Transformation

Founded in 2019, Orquest was initially developed to solve McDonald’s Spain’s scheduling challenges. Since then, it has expanded its reach to major brands in QSR and retail, such as H&M, Dior, and Burger King. Today, the solution is used across more than 80 countries, managing over 250,000 employees to optimize workforce efficiency and improve both employee and customer experience.

“Our selection as a Top 20 AI Startup to Watch is a testament to how AI is transforming workforce management,” said Alberto del Barrio, CEO of Orquest during his intervention at the Founders Academy: Leveraging on AI to Drive Digital Transformation. “Retailers and restaurants face increasing complexity in managing their staff while delivering great customer service. Orquest’s AI-powered solution ensures the right employees are in the right place at the right time—boosting efficiency, cutting costs, and enhancing overall performance.”

The AI Advantage: Smarter Staffing, Greater Efficiency

Orquest’s robust AI technology provides businesses with powerful workforce forecasting, staffing assessment, and scheduling automation. The solution’s three-step AI-driven approach delivers measurable results for clients, such as reduced labor costs, shorter customer wait times, and time savings in workforce planning—critical advantages in today’s highly competitive retail and restaurant sectors.

“We believe AI should empower businesses, not just automate them,” added Alberto. “Our AI-powered technology helps global retailers and restaurants adapt to local realities, enabling smarter workforce decisions that balance efficiency with employee satisfaction. Being recognized among the top AI startups to Watch in 2025 is a validation of our mission and the constant work of our in-house product team to create the most intelligent and impactful scheduling experience in the market.”

Recognized for AI Innovation & Business Impact

This Top 20 AI Startup to Watch recognition follows a series of industry accolades for Orquest. In the past year, the company has won the 2024 Retail Technology Show Innovation Awards and the Artificial Intelligence Project of the Year award at the Retail Systems Awards 2024. In 2023, Orquest also won the Santander X Global Challenge | The AI Revolution and was named Innovative Supplier at the Nuit du Commerce Connecté.

The year before, it was one of the finalists of the LVMH Innovation Awards, a recognition that led to its current partnership with Dior to optimize team scheduling in luxury stores while maintaining their exceptional standard of customer service.

As Orquest continues to expand globally, it remains dedicated to pushing the boundaries of AI-driven workforce planning. Being featured in the Top 20 AI Startups to Watch in 2025 further reinforces its position as a leader in AI-powered business transformation.

About Orquest:

Orquest is an AI-powered smart planning solution designed to optimize workforce management in retail and restaurants. By synchronizing customer demand with employee schedules, Orquest enhances efficiency, reduces costs, and improves customer experience. With global clients spanning H&M, Dior, McDonald’s, and Burger King, Orquest is shaping the future of workforce management through AI innovation.