Orbio Gets $21 Million to Help Managers with AI
Millions of people work in restaurants and hospitals. In the past, managers used slow methods to organize them. Now, a company named Orbio makes smart AI agents. These computer helpers interview people and check on workers. Orbio just received 21 million dollars. They are going to build more agents. Many big businesses use this helpful software today.
Millions of people work in shops, hospitals, and restaurants. These frontline workers are very important. In the past, managers used a very slow system. They managed these workers with old spreadsheets and phone calls. This process was difficult and took a lot of time.
A man named Sergi Bastardas wanted a better way. He worked at Amazon for a long time. In 2025, he started a new company with two friends. The new company is Orbio. They build special AI agents to help big businesses. These computer agents help managers with their frontline workers.
On Monday, Orbio announced some big news. Investors gave the company 21 million dollars. A group named Dawn Capital led this investment. In total, Orbio raised 26 million dollars. The company is going to use this fresh money soon. They will hire more staff and develop more AI agents.
The AI agents have names like Maria, Daniel, and Claire. These agents interview people for jobs. They check on the employees every single day. The agents also talk to workers when they leave. They collect information and learn from it. This helps the businesses make better choices in the future.
Some famous companies already use Orbio. For example, Taco Bell and KFC use this software. A health provider named The Stepping Stones Group uses it too. Orbio manages all their workers in the United States. The results are very good. They hired 20 percent more people with the software.
Other startups like Paradox and WorkJam compete with Orbio. But Sergi believes his company is different. He said the new technology will transform many businesses. Almost 3 billion frontline workers never had good digital tools. Now, they are going to experience a big change. Sergi calls this their special AI moment.
Take a position. Out loud, if you can.
Four ways to start. Pick one and try saying it before you scroll on.
Tip · Record yourself, use in a notebook, or practice with a language partner.
What did managers use in the past to manage workers?
Past Simple
We use the past simple to describe actions that started and finished in the past.
“In total, Orbio raised 26 million dollars.”
What to know · A2
Try saying this aloud
Scenario: You are talking to a colleague about a slow computer system at work.
- 01“This process is difficult.”
- 02“We need a better way.”
- 03“It takes a lot of time.”
Register tip · informal
🔑Key Phrases
A common business term for people working in stores, restaurants, or hospitals.
The frontline workers needed better tools for their jobs.
Describes the action of building new computer systems.
The tech team will develop more AI agents next year.
Used when something important happens to someone's life or work.
The factory workers will experience a big change soon.
🎙️ Article Audio — Kokoro TTS
Orbio Gets $21 Million to Help Managers with AI
💬Discussion Questions
Open-ended questions to talk or write about — alone, with a partner, or in class.
- 1
Why is it important to help frontline workers?
Opinion - 2
How did technology change your work in the past few years?
Personal - 3
Will AI agents take away jobs or create new ones?
Predict - 4
How is a computer interview different from a human interview?
Compare - 5
Is it a good idea to let a computer choose new workers?
Evaluate - 6
What do you think is the hardest part of managing many people?
Opinion - 7
If you started a company, what kind of software would you build?
Personal - 8
How will businesses use AI ten years from now?
Predict
Adapted from TechCrunch · Read the original. LinguaPress rewrites the facts as original graded-reader text for language learners.
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