Silas Mähner 🔍🌎

ErthTech Talent

After 4 years of working with ClimateTech startups as a Headhunter and Ecosystem Builder through the CleanTechies Podcast, one problem kept showing up. 

There was no high-touch headhunting solution available to ClimateTech startups at the earliest stages. 

The existing offerings were either not 'white-glove enough' --OR-- were 'too expensive'. 

So, in 2024, I decided to solve that problem by founding ErthTech Talent. A recruitment consultancy tailor-made for early-stage ClimateTech startups. 

We offer headhunting services at a fraction of the price compared to traditional recruitment firms. (Pricing tied to your stage of funding) 

Founders no longer need to compromise when it comes to hiring their early talent. Those hires are too critical to their success to compromise. If they want to hit their milestones to keep growing and raising the next round, they need the right folks onboard. 

They need the change makers who are crazy enough to join a high-risk startup who's stated mission is literally to save the world.

If you're a ClimateFounder in the early days, let us help save you a ton of time and many headaches by being your talent partner. hello@erthtechtalent.com 

--WHO WE WORK WITH--

/// Sub-Sector Focus (Hardware & Software): 
- Carbon Capture / Utilization 
- Green Chemicals / Fuels 
- Advanced Battery Materials 
- Industrial Decarbonization 
- Green Materials

/// DISCIPLINE FOCUS (From Executive to Engineer):
- Sales / Commercial / GTM 
- Highly specialized engineering leadership 
- Chemical Engineers 

/// What We Do NOT Support: (although we do have recommended partners)
- Software Engineers 
- Data Engineers / Scientists 
- Product Managers 
- Accounting 
- HR 
- Chief of Staff

--PRICING--
Flexi-Cost Pricing Depending on your Funding Status:
-Pre-Seed & Seed = 10% Contingent Fee
-Series A = 15% Contingent Fee
-Series B and Beyond = 20% (± any add ons / discounts)

-------
If you want to join me on this journey in some way, reach out.

Founder

CleanTechies

Solving the climate crisis requires a gargantuan collaborative global effort because it affects us all. 

As if building a startup wasn't already hard enough, building in Climate presents even more challenges. That's why Somil Aggarwal and I spend so much time on CleanTechies. 

We aim to help founders and investors navigate the complex climate landscape by sharing the stories, advice, and lessons of leading Climate Founders and Investors. 

🌱 170 episodes and counting
🌱 Guests like Shawn Xu (Lowercarbon), Trevor Best (Syzygy Plasmonics), Helena Merk (Streamline Climate), Eric Rubenstein (New Climate Ventures) 
🌱 127k + lifetime downloads 

Follow on Substack 👉 https://cleantechies.substack.com/
Listen on Apple 👉 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cleantechies-podcast/id1555107027
Listen on Spotify 👉 https://open.spotify.com/show/2NQ1mTLu3FmIRfDzZhfpG2
Join the Slack 👉 https://join.slack.com/t/cleantechies/shared_invite/zt-pd2drz6d-N~9nURU5JlyMXv2ZiO5bAQ

Founder & Co-Host

Praxis

Discover Praxis is a college-alternative program for people who choose to live their lives on their own terms. 

I did the program starting in August 2019, and I'm proud to be one of the first Guild Members - a Founding Guild Member if you will. 

If you're a Praxis member, reach out - would love to link up.

Founding Guild Member

The Lumen Institute

WHY I JOINED LUMEN:
When I was introduced to the idea behind Lumen (bring The Faith to the leaders in the workplace), I was 100% in! 

Since joining Lumen I've formed friendships, gained mentors, and have developed a deeper spiritual understanding of how my Faith intersects with my Work. 

WHO IT'S FOR: 
If you take your Catholic Faith seriously and want a community of like-minded, ambitious people, Lumen is for you. I cannot recommend it enough. 

WHAT IS LUMEN:
The Lumen Institute is a non-profit organization that provides highly personalized formation for business executives and societal leaders. Its mission is to form Christian leaders to illuminate society with the light of Christ. Through its core values of Character, Faith, and Leadership, it helps to educate and train those who have significant influence to be faithful stewards within their families, businesses, and the broader community. 

It was founded in 2005 by a small group of New York businessmen and priests in response to a critical need for virtuous formation for today's leaders. Lumen has grown to have chapters in many major cities around the United States and is also expanding internationally. To learn more, visit: lumeninstitute.org

Member

Top Tier Impact

TTI is a global membership network of impact professionals, entrepreneurs, investors, and service providers. 

I joined this community to be further involved in the impact community globally and to support members with their hiring needs.

Member (Service Provider)

NextWave Partners

NextWave Partners is a Global Recruitment Consultancy serving the Renewable Energy (Energy Transition), CleanTech, and Sustainability Sectors and places talent across all disciplines and levels of seniority.

August 2022: Promoted to Team Lead 

(2022 shown under Principle Consultant)

In my fourth year in recruitment (2023 & Q1 2024): 
🔘 Boarded $347,500 
🔘 15 Placements 
🔘 9 Terms Signed 
🔘 Grew Sustainability & Climate Desk 
🔘 Helped train new hires from other teams 


Placements: 
🔘 Director of Transmission, Vertically Integrated Renewables IPP
🔘 General Council, Vertically Integrated Renewables IPP
🔘 Compliance & Internal Controls Manager, Vertically Integrated Renewables IPP
🔘 Climate and Energy Advisor, Boutique Sustainable Real Estate Consultancy
🔘 Director of Real Estate, Energy Storage IPP
🔘 Engagement Manager, Global Sustainable Finance Consultancy 
🔘 Sr Project Development Associate, Vertically Integrated Renewables IPP
🔘 Climate & Energy Project Manager, Boutique Sustainable Real Estate Consultancy
🔘 Carbon Technical Lead, Boutique Sustainable Real Estate Consultancy
🔘 Sr Con, Climate & Energy, Boutique Sustainable Real Estate Consultancy
🔘 Sr Manager of ESG, Boutique Sustainable Real Estate Consultancy
🔘 Business Development Manager, Lithium-Ion Battery Recycling Tech Developer
🔘 Account Executive, GHG Accounting SaaS Platform
🔘 Co-Founder & CTO, Direct Air Capture Technology Developer (Cement Application) 
🔘 Chief Revenue Officer, AI-Enabled Sustainability SaaS Platform

Team Lead - CleanTech (Industrial Decarbonization) 

December 2021 Promoted to Principle Consultant after hitting the promotion metrics ($380k Total Invoiced in 12-Month Rolling Period)

(2021 shown under consultant)

In my third year in recruitment (2022): 
🔘 Boarded $573,300 
🔘 22 Placements
🔘 Promoted to Team Lead (fastest in company history)
🔘 Launched the ClimateTech & Sustainability Practice in North America
🔘 Hired and Trained 3 more Graduate Consultants 
🔘 Started managing a principal con (internal transfer)
🔘 Signed 8 new terms 
🔘 Multiplier Award 🏆


Placements:
🔘 Manager of Development, Solar & Storage Project Developer
🔘 Interconnection Project Engineer, Vertically Integrated Global Renewables IPP
🔘 Transmission Consultant, Storage & Solar IPP (backed by Blackstone)
🔘 Development / Origination Manager, Greenfield C&I Solar Developer
🔘 Project Director, C&I Solar & Storage Project Developer
🔘 Budgeting Cost Estimator, Vertically Integrated Global Renewables IPP
🔘 Director of Sustainability, Sustainable Real Estate SaaS Company
🔘 Development Manager, Vertically Integrated Solar & Storage IPP
🔘 Senior Interconnection Project Manager, C&I Solar & Storage Project Developer
🔘 ESS Project Engineer, Vertically Integrated Global Renewables IPP
🔘 Manager, Interconnection & Transmission, Renewables IPP
🔘 Sr Interconnection Project Engineer, Vertically Integrated Global Renewables IPP
🔘 Commissioning Manager, Vertically Integrated Global Renewables IPP
🔘 Commissioning Engineer, Vertically Integrated Global Renewables IPP
🔘 Manager of Transmission, Renewables IPP
🔘 Interconnection Planning Engineer, Vertically Integrated Global Renewables IPP
🔘 Business Development Manager, Vertically Integrated Global Renewables IPP
🔘 Manager, SI Applications (Sizing), Vertically Integrated Global Renewables IPP
🔘 Manager of Procurement, C&I Solar & Storage Project Developer
🔘 Director of Development Engineering, Vertically Integrated Global Renewables IPP
🔘 Sr Associate of ESG, REIT

Principal Consultant - ESG/Sustainability, ClimateTech, & Renewables

After hitting the metrics ($180k rolling invoiced), I was promoted to Senior Consultant (Oct 2021) 

Placements: 
🔘 (as shown under Consultant)

In my second year (1st full year) of recruitment: 
🔘 (as shown under Consultant)

Senior Consultant - ESG/Sustainability, ClimateTech, & Renewables

Jan 2021: Promoted to Consultant after closing my first 360 deal.

In my second year (1st full year) of recruitment: 
🔘 Boarded $428,600 
🔘 15 Placements (below)
🔘 7 Terms Signed
🔘 Hired and trained my first Graduate Consultant (August 2021)
🔘 Promoted to Sr. Consultant (Oct 2021)
🔘 Promoted to Principal Consultant (Dec 2021) (2nd Fastest in Company History)
🔘 NextWaver of the Year Award 🏆 

Placements: 
🔘 Structural Engineer, Offshore Wind Technology Developer
🔘 Senior Manager EPC, Solar & Storage Project Developer
🔘 Development Engineer, C&I Solar & Storage Project Developer 
🔘 Manager of EPC, Solar & Storage Project Developer
🔘 Director of Procurement, C&I Solar & Storage Project Developer 
🔘 Director of EPC Project Management, Solar & Storage Project Developer
🔘 Associate GC, Vertically Integrated Solar & Storage IPP
🔘 Sr. Manager, Transmission, Renewables IPP
🔘 Manager of EPC, Solar & Storage Project Developer
🔘 Sr Director of EPC, Solar & Storage Project Developer
🔘 Sr. Director of Transmission, Renewables IPP
🔘 Sr Interconnection Planning Engineer, Vertically Integrated Global Renewables IPP
🔘 Associate of EPC, Solar & Storage Project Developer
🔘 Manager of EPC, Solar & Storage Project Developer
🔘 Interconnection Project Engineer, Vertically Integrated Global Renewables IPP

Consultant - Renewable Energy & Offshore Wind

NextWave Partners is a Global Recruitment Consultancy serving the Renewable Energy (Energy Transition), CleanTech, and Sustainability Sectors and places talent across all disciplines and levels of seniority. 

At the time of joining, NextWave was about 15 people globally (HQ'd in Singapore).

I joined on March 2nd, 2020, as the second employee in the US to help expand the Renewable Energy desk across North America. 

First 10 months in recruitment: 
🔘 Boarded $173,300 
🔘 8 placements (mostly splits)
🔘 Signed 2 sets of terms 
🔘 Completed first 360 placement
🔘 Rising Star Award 🏆

Placements: 
🔘 Engineering Director, Offshore Wind IPP
🔘 Offshore Technical Manager, Offshore Wind IPP
🔘 CTO, Storage & Solar IPP (backed by Blackstone) 
🔘 Asset Operations Manager, Solar & Storage Project Developer
🔘 Solar Sales Consultant, Regional Solar Project Developer 
🔘 VP of Asset Management, Storage & Solar IPP (backed by Blackstone)
🔘 General Counsel, Regional Solar Project Developer

Associate Consultant - Renewable Energy & Offshore Wind

Career Hackers

Career Hackers is demonstrating the future of career building. They are changing job hunting and helping thousands build their careers intentionally. They help break out of the permission mindset. 

This is achieved through content, workshops, coaching, courses, and partnerships. 

My role as advisor is to provide strategic input on revenue growth & partnerships and attend quarterly meetings.

Ambassador Council

Perspektive Media Group

In this role, I am in charge of business development and helping manage existing clients' needs. So, in short, I get to continue sharpening my sales skills and most importantly I get to learn a lot about marketing. It is also a way I can implement all my ideas. I have been told I am an idea man so this gives me an opportunity to share that.

Marketing Specialist

Che Mate

Che Mate was a side project I started to learn more about running a business. I'm glad I did it, and if you still want to purchase some I have plenty of supply left. Just reach out at silas.mahner@checircle.com

If you are interested in purchasing the business you can also reach me by that means.

Knights of Columbus Insurance

As a Field Agent with Knights of Columbus, I provided members with the service they needed for their existing policies, provided them with the new policies they needed and helped them to stay informed about the changes within the Knight of Columbus. What I learned from this role was the ability to communicate, to understand the goals of my clients through questions and then providing the solution. I also learned how to really hustle and make things happen. It was truly a great experience that I learned so much from.

Field Agent

Placing Top Talent w/ Early Stage ClimateTech Startups for a Fraction of the Cost //AND// Co-Hosting CleanTechies Podcast🎙️

Helping CleanTech Startups Hire Unicorns Affordably (12-15%) 

Founder of ErthTech Talent || A Search Firm Helping CleanTech Startups Hire Top Talent for Less

--BIO--
As a country boy from rural Wisconsin, I wasn't raised with an interest in solving the climate problem. However, after taking a job in renewables recruitment in March 2020, I became highly interested in the space. -- In particular, being an innovation junkie, I was drawn to the velocity of breakthrough technology being delivered. 

In a word, I found my career home 🏠

After 4 years in recruitment and 3 years working with early-stage founders through the podcast, I decided to start ErthTech Talent. 

Why start another search firm? Well, it's not any other search firm. It's tailor-made for early-stage CleanTech startups.

How? So glad you asked. Our pricing is designed to be affordable for startups at this stage. 

Our base fee is 15% of first-year base salary w/ the option to get the following discounts / add-ons at your choosing.

Optional Discounts
	-1%	30 days exclusivity
	-1%	14-day payment terms
	-1%	Direct Calendar Access (for faster scheduling)
Optional Add-Ons
	+2%	Competitor Benchmarking (salary, benefits, etc.)
	+2.5%	Delayed Invoice (60 days)
	+10%	12-month candidate guarantee (Standard is 90 Days)
	+0.5%	Reference Taking
	+2%	Copy of Market Map

We also offer a team build model
Team Build (5+ hires) (Retainer + Flat Success Fee)
$11,500 /hire ($1,500 retainer + $10,000 flat success fee)


There is nothing I'd rather be doing than working with these incredible founders to help, in the way I can, with saving the world. 

Learn more 👉 https://erthtechtalent.com/


--ERTHTECH TALENT--
// Who We Work With
- Carbon Capture / Utilization 
- Green Chemicals / Fuels 
- Advanced Battery Materials 
- Industrial Decarbonization 
- Green Materials

// What Roles We Work On (From Exec to Engineer)
- Sales / Commercial / GTM 
- Engineering Leadership
- Chemical Engineers 

// What Roles We Do NOT Do: (although we do have recommended partners)
- Software Engineers 
- Data Engineers / Scientists 
- Product Managers 
- Accounting 
- HR 
- Chief of Staff


--PODCAST--
CleanTechies is The #1 Podcast for ClimateTech Entrepreneurs
- Subscribe 👉 https://cleantechies.substack.com/
- est. Feb 2021
- 230+ episodes 
- 125k lifetime downloads

--PERSONAL--
- Married to a Ugandan 🇺🇬
- Honda 350x Three Wheeler Collector 🏍️
- 📍 Living in Wisconsin - Mentally in NYC - Headed to Nashville (2026?) 
- Amateur Footballer ⚽
- Innovation Junkie 🤓
- Oldest of 8 Kids 👦 👧 👧 👦 👦 👧 👦 👦

Show Host

CleanTechnology has become a huge passion of mine since starting in renewable energy as a headhunter. So, I decided to launch a podcast to host conversations with folks in the space to help share their stories and hopefully help many people learn more about what is happening in the CleanTech / ClimateTech space. 

If you are interested in joining the Slack Community that I created to help foster the innovation curve you can join using this link. https://join.slack.com/t/cleantechies/shared_invite/zt-pd2drz6d-N~9nURU5JlyMXv2ZiO5bAQ

And be sure to follow the podcast. 🎙 
https://cleantechiespod.buzzsprout.com/



Partner Role at Climate VC Fund


Hey folks, I know I have a LOT of connections who want to work in climate VC. 

This might be your chance. 

A VC friend of mine is looking to bring on a partner to their fund. 

This person must...
- Be from the climate world
- Understand VC investing/finance
- Preferably be someone who is outgoing (can help speak, bring deal flow, and/or fundraise) 
- Based in the US 

If you'd like to learn more, DM me or apply to the link in the comments. 

Not sharing who this is publicly, but I can say, this is a really amazing opportunity to join an incredible climate tech VC fund. 

Please do me a favor and share this privately with anyone that you think could be a good fit / could be interested.

Silas Mähner 🌎🔍

Placing the BEST Talent at CleanTech Startups, For Half the Price 🌎🔍 | Host of the CleanTechies Podcast 🎙️

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