Graphyte, a leading carbon removal startup, partnered with Climate People to find a chief technology officer. This was a critical addition to the team and has been instrumental in driving the company’s rapid growth and success. They were looking for a diverse pipeline of candidates with a background in material science, process engineering and carbon markets. The search ultimately led to the successful placement of Hannah Murnen. 

COMPANY OVERVIEW

• Funding Stage: Seed  
• Climate Sector: Carbon Removal  
• Number of Employees: 3

SITUATION

Graphyte was recently incorporated when they engaged with Brendan at Climate People. As a startup, they faced a common challenge: a need for top-tier talent but limited capacity to engage in an exhaustive outbound recruitment strategy. Brendan’s expertise in climate tech recruiting made him the ideal partner to find their CTO, as he was a dedicated recruiting partner with a deep network and strong understanding of the carbon removal space.

HIRING CHALLENGES

• Graphyte required a CTO with a background in material science and polymers.
• Prospective talent needed expertise in process engineering and carbon markets.
• The ideal candidate needed to have a scrappy startup mentality and be willing to frequently travel to Pine Bluff, Ark..
• As a three-person team, everyone was already overextended with responsibilities. They exhausted their networks and hadn’t found the perfect fit. They needed a connected external partner who could source candidates and invest the time needed for such a complex search.

IMPACT  

The iterative process Brendan used was crucial in refining the requirements for the CTO role. By presenting candidates, Climate People helped Graphyte determine the precise skill set needed. 

Hannah Murnen, the now CTO, exceeded expectations. As CTO, she has taken full responsibility for all technical aspects, allowing their founder to focus on other critical areas of the business.

CRITICAL EVENTS

One of the most remarkable achievements for Graphyte was going from concept to commissioning their first plant within 14 months, a technical feat that happened under Hannah's leadership. This milestone was a direct result of the successful recruitment process managed by Climate People. 

At Climate People, we understand that your first few hires are crucial. When Brendan engaged with Barclay, Graphyte was simply an idea with a limited facility. Hiring as a startup is already hard enough, but not having a fleshed out product makes that hiring even harder. To address this, Brendan employed significant storytelling to sell the vision of what Graphyte could achieve — which got Hannah onboard.

‍COLLABORATION 

The collaboration between Graphyte and Climate People was marked by working closely together. Brendan’s expertise in the climate tech space and his willingness to engage deeply with Graphyte’s unique needs made the partnership invaluable. Recruiting Hannah involved not just matching a candidate to a job description, but also engaging in a high-risk, high-reward strategy to show her the potential impact she could have on the company, a tactic that ultimately succeeded.

‍SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIP

Navigating the complexities of hiring for a startup can be exceptionally challenging. At Climate People, we prioritize forming a deep understanding of our clients' unique needs, ensuring we act as an extension of their team.

“Brendan uniquely understood our job requirements and what we were seeking, and he pursued those exact candidates,” Barclay said. “It was clear that he wasn’t just filling a role — he was invested in our success.”

Early-stage companies often struggle with recruiting because they lack the dedicated resources that larger organizations have. We recognize this challenge and work closely with our clients to create tailored strategies that align with their specific needs.

“Brendan made it feel like we were in this together,” Barclay said. “He didn’t just provide a service; he became an integral part of our decision-making process. His knowledge of the space and his collaborative approach were key in hiring  someone as impactful as Hannah.”

Our goal is to ensure that the talent we place not only fits the immediate needs of the role, but also aligns with the company’s long-term vision and values.

“Brendan and Climate People’s true collaboration, focus and expertise in the space were critical in finding the right leader for our team,” Barclay emphasized. “The partnership with Climate People wasn’t just about finding a CTO — it was about finding the right CTO who could help us grow.”

Ultimately, our clients benefit from more than just recruitment services — they gain a partner who is as invested in their success as they are.

COMING BACK FULL CIRCLE

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