The Munich company Talent Tree is looking for employees for startups and tech companies. And if it's successful, it also plants trees. What else is special about the young company? We asked founder Julian von Blücher our 7 questions.
1. Who are you and what do you do? Please briefly introduce yourself and your services!
Hey, I'm Julian von Blücher, 35 years old, and the founder and CEO of Talent Tree. I got into recruiting more or less by chance. I actually studied industrial engineering in Karlsruhe. But thanks to my industry knowledge, people kept asking me, "Julian, do you know someone who can support us?" And yes, I always knew someone. That's how the idea of doing this professionally and networking the tech industry even more strongly came about.
Tech industry: Bringing designers together with visionaries
That's why we don't just look for employees for companies, but rather bring together active designers with visionaries. Often, the potential we recognize in both the client and the candidate counts more than mere skills. As startups or innovative companies, our clients are used to agile and dynamic processes. They need someone who is willing to get involved and build something. The right mix of potential and experience is what creates the right match makes up.
Talent Tree recognizes potential – and plants trees
In addition, at Talent Tree, we want to make the world more sustainable. And that can only happen if sustainability-focused companies also attract the best talent who will help improve the world. For successful placements, we also plant a tree in Panama, helping to reforest the rainforest. So, in two senses: We grow talent 😉
Focus: agile companies and clean tech
2. But that's been around for a long time!
Of course, headhunters have been around for a while. With our specialization in startups and agile companies in the digital economy and clean tech sector, we not only offer the necessary expertise to fill demanding expert and C-level positions, but also connect the startup industry with investors, candidates, and other like-minded companies.
We also offer transparency regarding the process for both the client and the candidate. Our 72-hour policy is particularly noteworthy here. This stipulates that the client must provide us or the candidate with feedback within 72 hours as to whether the process will continue or not. This is important to continue to demonstrate to candidates that we act quickly and reliably. This is the only way to attract and retain good people today.
Fail. Learn. Succeed.
3. What are the three main ingredients for your recipe for success?
Fail. Learn. Succeed. These three ingredients are essential, especially for a startup. In Germany, more emphasis is often placed on perfection than simply trying something out. Innovations, however, arise from mistakes and the subsequent learning process. Success is a long journey—in a startup, but also in successful placement.
4. Let’s get down to business: How is business going?
Not only have we already placed several strong candidates with exciting clients, but we're currently inundated with inquiries. Satisfied clients and candidates alike recommend us to others – and quality is simply the best advertising.
5. What does Munich mean to you?
Munich is the top location for tech startups. Sure, rents and wages are higher here, but it also offers highly educated people and a much better investor scene than, for example, in Berlin. Synergies with medium-sized companies or corporations are also much more common here – simply because the industry is much more strongly represented here.
Munich also has a lot to offer in terms of leisure activities. Whether it's the proximity to mountains and lakes, the beer gardens in the city, or the Isar River and the English Garden. Getting out into the countryside is always possible in Munich, and especially from our office at Isartor, we can make the most of it – both privately and as a team.
Right employees = moving mountains = unicorn?
6. How will your startup become the next unicorn? Or will we see you soon at Epic Fail Night?
Whether Talent Tree becomes the next unicorn remains to be seen. But what we can say with certainty is that we help startups develop the potential to become the next unicorn. Because the right employees, together, can move mountains—or create a unicorn.
7. Helles or Prosecco?
Prosecco 😉 When we have found the perfect match for client and candidate, i.e. when we have successfully placed the candidate, there is champagne for the whole team and we celebrate together.
