In 2023, Germany's solar energy sector experienced unprecedented growth, with the installation of over one million new solar power systems, leading to an 85% capacity increase. This surge reflects a growing interest in solar energy trading, driven by technological advancements and supportive policy frameworks. The trend towards decentralised energy markets is evident, with homeowners increasingly participating as both energy consumers and producers. This shift aligns with Germany's ambitious renewable energy targets, aiming for renewables to comprise 80% of its electricity consumption by 2030. Solar energy trading is pivotal in this context, promoting energy independence, sustainability, and economic benefits.
Electric Blue Trading, described by its Technical Co-founder Levente Szabados, is a Berlin-based startup focused on energy trading, primarily electricity, with around four to five years of experience. The company engages in proprietary trading, supports blockchain technology for peer-to-peer electricity trading as part of the Energy Web Foundation, and specialises in direct marketing by purchasing electricity from solar producers to sell on the European Power Exchange (EPEX). This highlights their commitment to renewable energy and technological innovation in the energy sector.
He emphasises the company's strengths: deep domain knowledge in electricity combined with a nimble approach to technology and trading. This blend allows them to effectively navigate the complex electricity market, supporting the green transition, especially in solar-rich Germany. Electric Blue Trading values a close-knit, family-like team environment with flat hierarchy, fostering collaboration and a shared sense of purpose among its members. This culture, according to Levente, makes the company an attractive place to work, with substantial growth potential in assets and market influence, particularly in northern Germany.
The vision for Electric Blue Trading includes expanding their automation and technical capabilities to enhance their market impact. The company's unique position, merging traditional electricity expertise with modern software solutions, enables them to bridge the gap between conventional energy practices and innovative, agile business strategies, advancing renewable energy trading.
In the labour market of the energy sector, Levente describes a significant shift towards the need for more open and scalable technology, especially as the role of renewables grows. He states, "there is a big disruption going on or coming," highlighting the transition from a niche market to one that requires broader software engineering skills. The CTO points out that the industry is moving beyond the need for just a few specialised engineers to requiring those with expertise in scalable systems, drawing a parallel with the financial sector's backend systems.
When hiring, Electric Blue Trading particularly values experience with backend systems and those familiar with financial trading environments. Levente mentions the importance of skills related to financial backends, exchange protocols, and scalable systems, stating, "people who come from Finance / trading / Financial modelling / all the things that are actually with exchanges...this kind of backend is now being developed in electricity."
The challenge lies in raising awareness among software engineers about the opportunities in the renewable energy sector. Many software professionals do not see the connection between their skills and the needs of the energy industry. He observes, "solar electricity is nice. It's a good message, but it's not for software people." Overcoming this challenge involves educating potential hires about the critical role of software in energy trading and infrastructure
Levente commented on the collaboration with IseeQ describing the process as "very smooth" and "super efficient," emphasising the stark contrast to their previous self-managed hiring efforts. "It was super efficient from the fact that we came up with a very vague definition of the role, iterating it through you and then really getting candidates that were very focused, motivated and there were no too many rounds that we had to do," he recounted, highlighting the streamlined efficiency of the process.
The experience with the IT recruitment firm was Electric Blue Trading's first, motivated by the realisation that their own efforts were not scalable. "It was totally not scalable. It was totally not efficient. So I think that's what the decision point was," the CTO explained, reflecting on the decision to seek external help after relying on personal networks for recruitment, which proved slow and limited.
Levente also noted the precision in the recruitment firm's approach, which quickly provided highly relevant candidates. "We received a very short set of CVs that were each of them we thoroughly had to consider because at least from looking at it we said, Okay, that's someone we should take note of," he said, appreciating the targeted and effective delivery of potential hires.
A key to the successful collaboration was the IseeQ’s deep understanding of both Electric Blue Trading's needs and the candidates' motivations. He observed, "You have a very good mental model of the candidates' wishes and the candidates' behaviour...you deliver candidates that want us," indicating the agency's adeptness at matching the company's requirements with the candidates' aspirations and capabilities.
Despite the initial neutrality of his team towards using a recruitment agency, the positive outcomes quickly garnered their support. The CTO shared his personal advocacy for IseeQ, "I mean it was personally me who suggested the thing...let's try it out and we will see," which led to a successful hiring process that exceeded the team's expectations.
Reflecting on the potential for improvement, Levente hinted at the value of directness and efficiency in communication, a subtle suggestion that bespoke strategies might enhance the recruitment experience for small, agile companies like Electric Blue Trading.
Conclusively, Levente affirmed the significant impact of the IT recruitment firm on their hiring process, stating, "Absolutely. And I mean at any point which is I think coming in six months or so when we will be hiring again, I'm pretty sure that we will go the same route because why the heck not, it works." This endorsement underlines IseeQ's role in not just filling a position but in understanding and aligning with Electric Blue Trading's strategic needs and culture.
_________________________________________________________________
Hi there! Ready to elevate your team with exceptional IT talent? Whether you're pioneering in the renewable energy sector, exploring niche markets, or seeking to bolster your IT capabilities, finding the right professionals is crucial for your success.
We understand the importance of matching your unique needs with the perfect candidates. Our experience in connecting companies with top-tier talent has taught us that the right person can transform an entire team.
Interested in discovering how we can assist in building your dream team? Reach Out to Us! Let's discuss how we can support your journey towards innovation and success with the right hiring strategy.
