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Report
May 14, 2025

Flexible Work, Fast Hires: Inside the Staffing Revolution for Events, Retail, and Hospitality

Alyssa Cuda

Alyssa Cuda

Senior Content Marketing Manager

VC-Backed Staffing Companies Leading Innovation in Healthcare Staffing
restaurant
Restaurant and Events
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Retail, Merchandising, and Brand Activation
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General Labor
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Specialized Services

Over the past few years, the events, retail, and hospitality sectors have undergone a transformation — one that’s faster, more localized, and increasingly app-driven. These industries depend on seasonal shifts, unpredictable demand, and workers who prioritize flexibility. Legacy staffing companies can’t keep up but a new class of platforms can.

VC-backed staffing companies are stepping in with tech-first solutions that make it easier to fill roles like bartenders, brand ambassadors, store merchandisers, retail associates, and more — often with just a few hours’ notice.

Restaurant & Events Staffing

The hospitality industry runs on razor-thin margins and unpredictable schedules. Staffing needs can surge within hours due to last-minute events, weather shifts, or unexpected walk-ins. These platforms like are stepping in to solve this challenge with flexible, mobile-driven labor pools.

These companies allow event organizers, restaurants, and catering companies to tap into pre-vetted, ready-to-work professionals who can fill roles at a moment’s notice. From bartenders and servers to event setup and cleanup crews, these platforms provide the elasticity that the hospitality sector desperately needs. As venues increasingly prioritize flexibility and just-in-time staffing, these platforms are positioning themselves as indispensable tools for operational stability.

Key companies: Qwick, Tend, Croux, GigPro, PopBookings, Shiftnow,, Jitjatjo

Retail, Merchandising & Brand Activation

For major brands and retailers, the ability to execute flawlessly at the ground level is critical. Every promotional display, end-cap product feature, or seasonal setup has a direct impact on sales and brand perception. Staffing platforms are transforming how brands manage these large-scale activations.

What sets these platforms apart is their ability to orchestrate complex deployments across hundreds or even thousands of retail locations simultaneously. Whether it’s placing seasonal products, resetting shelves to new planograms, or executing nationwide promotions, these companies have built networks of local, on-demand workers who ensure store-level precision. This helps brands cut costs, reduce the need for permanent field teams, and respond rapidly to market shifts.

Key companies: Jyve!, Reflex, ShiftPixy, SASR Workforce, BeMyEye, Observa, Field Agent

General Labor

General labor is the backbone of many industries, from loading docks and fulfillment centers to event setups and light industrial work. The challenge for employers is finding reliable, short-term help without the administrative burden of permanent hires. These platforms are addressing this need with flexible labor pools that can be tapped into as needed.

Notably, many of these general labor platforms first gain traction in more specialized categories like light industrial or restaurant staffing, where demand for on-demand shift fulfillment is high. Over time, they’ve broadened their offerings, leveraging their scalable models to serve general labor needs across multiple sectors—from warehousing and logistics to events and construction. This expansion reflects their adaptability and the growing demand for flexible, industry-spanning labor solutions.

These companies excel in on-demand shift fulfillment for industries where turnover is high and schedules are constantly changing. Whether it’s a busy warehouse during peak shipping seasons or a stadium event requiring dozens of temporary workers, these platforms streamline the entire process — from recruiting and onboarding to scheduling and payment.

Key companies: Instawork, Wonolo, Shiftsmart, Jobble Inc, Snagajob, Bacon Work, Hyr.work, Temper

Specialized Services

Not all labor needs are general or interchangeable. In areas like call center staffing, licensed security personnel, or live event operations, there’s a demand for specific skill sets and certifications. 

These platforms are building deep networks of specialized talent, providing a quick turnaround for employers who require specific skills. Whether it’s scaling a call center for peak season or staffing security for a major event, these companies focus on precision and compliance, ensuring that every worker meets industry standards.

Key companies:, Spur, Headway Workforce Solutions, RollKall, LiveOps, ClubUp

Unique Challenges in Events, Retail & Hospitality Staffing

Staffing for this sector isn’t just fast-paced — it’s unpredictable, high-volume, and deeply local. Platforms serving these industries face challenges that look very different from those in healthcare or professional services:

Last-Minute Demand Surges

Concerts, weddings, and retail promos don’t follow a set schedule — and when demand spikes, there’s little time to recruit. Platforms must support ultra-fast shift matching, often within hours.

High No-Show Risk

With large numbers of hourly workers — many working multiple platforms — no-shows and cancellations are common. Successful platforms build in redundancy, overstaffing, or predictive logic to avoid service gaps.

Soft Skills and Customer Service 

Unlike many roles in other staffing categories, roles in this sector are heavily customer-facing. Finding talent that not only shows up but represents the client with professionalism and strong interpersonal skills is crucial. 

Worker Retention Is Tough

Hospitality and retail work can be inconsistent and low-margin. Platforms that offer same-day pay, easy rebooking, and a mobile-first experience reduce churn and boost fill rates.

Brand Representation Matters

In retail and event environments, every worker is customer-facing. Platforms must go beyond availability — matching workers on soft skills, professionalism, and brand alignment.

Logistics at Scale

An event may need 40 people across 5 roles at 3 locations. A product promo could span 500 stores nationwide. Platforms need tools for centralized scheduling, communication, and performance tracking at scale.

What Successful Platforms in This Category Have in Common

After reviewing dozens of VC-backed companies in this space, a few common traits stood out among those growing fastest and gaining employer loyalty:

Fast Fill Capabilities

The most successful platforms have optimized for urgency — with pre-vetted talent pools, mobile notifications, and automated scheduling that help fill shifts in minutes, not hours.

Worker-Centric Design

From same-day pay to transparent pay rates and localized shift suggestions, winning platforms make life easier for workers. They treat flexibility, convenience, and communication as core features — not afterthoughts.

Smart Coverage Strategies

Companies like Instawork and Qwick build redundancy into every shift. Whether it’s overbooking by 5%, implementing backup logic, or rating worker reliability, they’ve productized contingency planning.

Strong Brand Matching

Especially in retail and events, platforms that succeed take “fit” seriously. They match workers not just to the job — but to the customer experience the brand expects.

Geographic Density First

Rather than go national too soon, many leading platforms win by dominating a few core metro areas — building strong worker communities and employer relationships before scaling.

What’s Next

This deep dive is just one part of our larger analysis covering 200+ VC-backed staffing companies across sectors — including healthcare, skilled trades, transportation, and professional services.

Stay tuned for:

  • Full market maps by category

  • Trend forecasts

  • Lessons from successful staffing companies

Follow along as we explore the future of staffing — and the companies building it. 

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Company
Description
Category
Total Fundraising
Latest Round
AMN Healthcare
AMN Healthcare
Leading provider of healthcare staffing, workforce solutions, and telehealth services
Travel Nursing and Locum Tenens
$527,124,312
Debt Financing
Avant
Avant
Nurse placement and training, focused on international healthcare talent
Travel Nursing and Locum Tenens
$125,000
Debt Financing
CareRev
CareRev
Flexible nursing and healthcare shifts
Per Diem and Local Shift Marketplaces
$56,300,000
Series A
Clara
Clara
Find, hire, and pay top-notch caregivers without the headache for a price that fits your budget.
Home Health & Senior Care Staffing
$500,000
Seed
Clipboard Health
Clipboard Health
Healthcare staffing marketplace connecting professionals with open shifts at top facilities.
Per Diem and Local Shift Marketplaces
$30,000,000
Series C
Cloud Dentistry
Cloud Dentistry
Platform for connecting dental offices with temp hygienists and assistants
Dental & Veterinary
$1,318,258
Venture (Round not Specified)
Coast Medical Service
Coast Medical Service
Nationwide travel nurse and allied health staffing agency
Travel Nursing and Locum Tenens
$15,000,000
Other
ConnectRN
ConnectRN
Tech-enabled app allowing nurses to find and book per diem and contract shifts
Per Diem and Local Shift Marketplaces
$174,797,770
Debt Financing
Cross Country
Cross Country
National healthcare staffing firm offering travel nurse, per diem, and permanent placement services
Travel Nursing and Locum Tenens
$494,340,420
Other
DOCS (ICON Pic)
DOCS (ICON Pic)
Healthcare staffing platform for clinical research and trial professionals
Per Diem and Local Shift Marketplaces
$4,688,270
Other
Epic Staffing Group
Epic Staffing Group
Full-service healthcare staffing company offering travel, per diem, and locum roles
Travel Nursing and Locum Tenens
$104,300,000
Debt Financing
Float Health
Float Health
Nurse staffing platform focused on improving home-based specialty medication administration.
Home Health & Senior Care Staffing
$15,000,000
Series A
Gale Healthcare Solutions
Gale Healthcare Solutions
Provides a tech-driven platform for healthcare staffing — clinicians can self-schedule shifts via app.
Home Health & Senior Care Staffing
$60,000,000
Other
Gento
Gento
On-demand home healthcare staffing for physical therapists and medical aides
Home Health & Senior Care Staffing
$7,759,968
Series A
GoTu
GoTu
On-demand dental professionals marketplace
Dental & Veterinary
$9,504,926
Debt Financing
Health Advocates Network
Health Advocates Network
temporary staffing and travel assignments for healthcare professionals
Travel Nursing and Locum Tenens
$7,000,000
Other
ImIn
ImIn
Workforce management platform for scheduling and filling healthcare shifts
Travel Nursing and Locum Tenens
$1,000,000
Other
Incredible Health
Incredible Health
Hiring platform that connects hospitals with permanent nurses and allied health professionals
Permanent Healthcare Hiring
$97,275,000
Series B
IntelyCare
IntelyCare
AI-driven platform offering per diem, contract, and full-time nursing jobs nationwide.
Per Diem and Local Shift Marketplaces
$173,800,000
Series C
KARE
KARE
Senior care staffing platform enabling caregivers to pick up shifts in assisted living and nursing homes
Home Health & Senior Care Staffing
$7,850,000
Series A
Kwikly Dental Staffing
Kwikly Dental Staffing
On-demand dental staffing platform connecting hygienists and assistants with practices for temp shifts.
Dental & Veterinary
$250,000
Series A
Matchwell
Matchwell
Platform enabling healthcare facilities to book per diem and contract nurses directly
Per Diem and Local Shift Marketplaces
$11,057,500
Venture (Round not Specified)
Maxim Healthcare Services
Maxim Healthcare Services
Provider of home healthcare, private duty nursing, and behavioral care, delivering personalized services to patients across the U.S.
Travel Nursing and Locum Tenens
$200,000,000
Debt Financing
MedPro Healthcare Staffing
MedPro Healthcare Staffing
Healthcare staffing agency placing travel nurses and allied health professionals
Travel Nursing and Locum Tenens
$11,250,000
Debt Financing
MedSmart
MedSmart
Healthcare staffing agency specializing in diagnostic imaging and allied health services.
Travel Nursing and Locum Tenens
$1,000,000
Other
Next Move
Next Move
Clinician-led travel nurse and allied staffing agency
Travel Nursing and Locum Tenens
$3,000,000
Debt Financing
Nomad Health
Nomad Health
Travel nursing platform helping clinicians book assignments across the U.S.
Travel Nursing and Locum Tenens
$240,000,000
Venture (Round not Specified)
Nursa
Nursa
Mobile app marketplace enabling nurses to find and book short-term shifts at healthcare facilities
Per Diem and Local Shift Marketplaces
$103,174,640
Series B
NurseDash
NurseDash
Marketplace for per diem nursing shifts
Per Diem and Local Shift Marketplaces
$125,000
Seed
Patchwork
Patchwork
UK-based tech platform that allows healthcare professionals to book shifts directly
Per Diem and Local Shift Marketplaces
$34,916,130
Series B
RepuCare
RepuCare
Healthcare staffing company focused on clinical and non-clinical roles in hospitals, government, and correctional facilities.
Home Health & Senior Care Staffing
$250,000
Venture (Round not Specified)
Roo
Roo
Veterinary staffing marketplace for clinics seeking temporary or relief vets
Dental & Veterinary
$18,549,921
Series A
Rota
Rota
Healthcare staffing and shift scheduling platform used by hospitals and clinics
Per Diem and Local Shift Marketplaces
$8,524,524
Seed
ShiftKey
ShiftKey
Connects independent licensed healthcare professionals and facilities all around the country.
Per Diem and Local Shift Marketplaces
$300,000,000
Private Equity
ShiftMed
ShiftMed
Mobile platform for nurses to find and book per diem shifts in healthcare facilities
Per Diem and Local Shift Marketplaces
$292,000,000
Other
ShiftPosts
ShiftPosts
On-demand platform for connecting pharmacists and pharmacy technicians with shift opportunities at pharmacies and healthcare organizations.
Per Diem and Local Shift Marketplaces
$749,621
Debt Financing
ShiftRX
ShiftRX
Connects pharmacy professionals with full-time roles and per diem shifts while helping pharmacies build flexible, reliable workforces.
Per Diem and Local Shift Marketplaces
$3,500,000
Seed
Stability Healthcare
Stability Healthcare
Tech-driven staffing platform connecting travel nurses with healthcare assignments
Travel Nursing and Locum Tenens
$1,425,000
Venture (Round not Specified)
Toothio
Toothio
Gig-based dental staffing platform connecting hygienists with practices
Dental & Veterinary
$9,000,000
Venture (Round not Specified)
Trusted Health
Trusted Health
Digital staffing platform for travel nurses — allows clinicians to browse and book assignments directly.
Travel Nursing and Locum Tenens
$175,000,000
Series C
Vivian
Vivian
Tech-driven marketplace connecting healthcare professionals with job opportunities and travel contracts
Travel Nursing and Locum Tenens
$60,000,000
Private Equity
Wheel
Wheel
Telehealth platform that connects clinicians to virtual care opportunities
Per Diem and Local Shift Marketplaces
$215,600,000
Series C
onDiem
onDiem
On-demand staffing platform that connects dental practices with verified dental hygienists, dentists, dental assistants, and front office staff.
Dental & Veterinary
$16,700,000
Series A
Company
Description
Category
Total Fundraising
Latest Round
Bacon Work
Bacon Work
Platform connecting gig workers with flexible hourly jobs — often in warehouse, events, and hospitality.
General Labor
$20,886,773
Series A
BeMyEye
BeMyEye
Mobile app for in-store retail checks, audits, and compliance gigs using a gig workforce
Retail, Merchandising, and Brand Activation
$20,571,500
Series C
ClubUp
ClubUp
On-demand caddie staffing platform for golf courses
Specialized Labor
$630,000
Seed
Croux
Croux
On-demand labor platform for restaurant and retail shifts
Restaurants and Events
$1,000,000
Other
Field Agent
Field Agent
ig platform for retail audits, mystery shopping, and product display verification
Retail, Merchandising, and Brand Activation
$12,722,128
Other
GigPro
GigPro
Marketplace connecting hospitality workers (chefs, bartenders, servers) with shifts at restaurants and events — common in southern U.S.
Restaurants and Events
$20,999,998
Series A
Headway Workforce Solutions
Headway Workforce Solutions
Full-service staffing firm providing customized workforce solutions across sectors
Specialized Labor
$2,857,690
Debt Financing
Hyr.work
Hyr.work
Shift-based staffing platform for hospitality and retail workers seeking flexible gigs
Retail, Merchandising, and Brand Activation
$1,300,000
Seed
Indeed
Indeed
Connects job seekers with employers, often used by both hourly and salaried roles.
General Labor
$55,000,000
Other
Instawork
Instawork
Flexible staffing marketplace for hospitality and warehouse work
General Labor
$161,820,000
Series D
Jitjatjo
Jitjatjo
On-demand hospitality staffing platform
Restaurants and Events
$52,280,000
Series B
Jobble
Jobble
Gig platform offering flexible hourly jobs across events, hospitality, and retail
General Labor
$12,200,000
Series A
Jobby
Jobby
On-demand staffing platform connecting employers with hourly workers for roles in logistics, hospitality, retail, and events.
General Labor
€2,000,000
Seed
Jyve!
Jyve!
On-demand platform for retail merchandising, stocking, and display work in stores
Retail, Merchandising, and Brand Activation
$50,955,829
Venture (Round not Specified)
LiveOps
LiveOps
Virtual call center platform — connects remote agents with businesses for customer support and sales calls.
Specialized Labor
$81,000,000
Debt Financing
Observa
Observa
Platform connecting gig workers with tasks to capture in-store product data
Retail, Merchandising, and Brand Activation
$1,776,000
Other
PopBookings
PopBookings
Event staffing platform — used by agencies to manage and book temporary workers for promotional events, brand activations, etc.
Restaurants and Events
$1,200,000
Venture (Round not Specified)
Qwick
Qwick
On-demand staffing platform connecting hospitality professionals with food and beverage shifts.
Restaurants and Events
$9,864,504
Series A
Reflex
Reflex
Platform offering on-demand shifts for hospitality and logistics workers
Retail, Merchandising, and Brand Activation
$20,904,969
Other
RollKall
RollKall
Platform for hiring off-duty police officers for private security and event coverage.
Specialized Labor
$2,450,000
Seed
SASR Workforce
SASR Workforce
Staffing company focused on retail, merchandising, and in-store support roles
Retail, Merchandising, and Brand Activation
$8,000,000
Debt Financing
ShiftPixy
ShiftPixy
Gig staffing platform for restaurants and retailers
Retail, Merchandising, and Brand Activation
$37,771,140
Other
Shiftnow
Shiftnow
On-demand shift platform connecting hospitality workers with jobs in hotels and resorts
Restaurants and Events
$650,000
Other
Shiftsmart
Shiftsmart
tech-driven labor platform connecting workers with flexible shifts in hospitality, retail, and customer service
General Labor
$114,350,000
Series B
Snagajob
Snagajob
Hourly job marketplace helping workers find shifts in food service, hospitality, and retail
General Labor
$213,287,455
Debt Financing
Spur
Spur
Workforce management and HR platform for school districts and hourly workers
Specialized Labor
$8,000,000
Series A
Temper
Temper
Marketplace for hospitality shift work, allowing freelancers to pick up gigs on demand
General Labor
$4,710,598
Seed
Tend
Tend
Experienced hospitality professionals available at an affordable price. Anytime. Anywhere.
Restaurants and Events
$3,500,000
Seed
Wonolo
Wonolo
On-demand staffing platform for filling hourly, temporary roles in industries like warehousing, retail, and manufacturing.
General Labor
$200,900,000
Other