**BACKGROUND** Introduce your business and its operations. Our company is located in Stockholm, Sweden, functioning as a crowdfunding platform primarily focusing on equity and loans rather than donations and rewards. We rank among the largest platforms in Scandinavia. I have been the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) for six months, overseeing development and the development team. Having served as a CTO at another company, I have several years of experience in leading software development and have been in the IT field for six years. **OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE** What challenge did you aim to solve with VILMATE? I was brought on board to address an issue the company faced with retaining developers on-site. My role involved establishing a new team quickly, but I realized there was a challenge in Stockholm due to a saturated developer market, which suggested that recruitment could take a significant amount of time. I reached out to VILMATE, having previously collaborated with them and being confident in their recruitment process and their integrity. This is the first time our company has engaged in outsourcing. Aside from the financial advantages to outsourcing, there’s also the benefit of quickly finding developers. **SOLUTION** What was the extent of their involvement? Outsourcing presents several business models, including fixed costs and hourly rates. I'm not fully aware of everything VILMATE offers, but their primary responsibility has been managing the recruitment process. This involves more than just filling positions; they focus on assembling a cohesive team for long-term commitment. They have sought a balanced talent mix, previously focusing on .NET, C#, full-stack developers, and modern web technologies like HTML, JavaScript, CSS, REST API, and SQL. My new role leans toward open source technologies, utilizing Python, Django, PostgreSQL, AWS hosting, Linux servers, and modern front-end JavaScript and HTML/CSS. I know they also have capabilities in PHP. Our team consists of seven people. **How did you start working with VILMATE?** I became familiar with VILMATE when I joined my previous employer, which was already a client of theirs about two years ago. After transferring to my current company, it was only natural for me to contact VILMATE for this new recruitment opportunity due to my previous positive experiences with them. **How much have you invested with VILMATE?** We have a monthly expenditure that comprises two components: a transparent fee structure where VILMATE takes a fixed cut and a variable salary component negotiated individually with each developer. VILMATE’s fees cover the recruitment phase and they begin invoicing only on the first working day. Their fees also encompass office space, equipment, developer PCs, testing equipment, and team-building activities. Salaries for developers typically range from $1,000 to $3,000 per month, depending on their experience level, with a 5% markup applied. **What is the status of this engagement?** I began collaborating with them in April 2016. **RESULTS & FEEDBACK** Could you provide any evidence demonstrating the productivity, quality of work, or impact of the engagement? I tasked them with assembling a complete developer team of six from scratch, which they accomplished in two months. This wasn't a simple matter of hiring six random individuals; it was about creating a functional long-term team that effectively meets my needs. They rose to the occasion during a crucial phase for our company. While we previously required developers skilled in C#, this position needed expertise in Python, but they successfully met those needs as well. I directly manage my team at VILMATE, as we don’t have another internal team; I’m the technical lead. Their performance has met my expectations. **How did VILMATE manage the project?** I know other clients who have dedicated project managers with VILMATE, but I opted not to do so, preferring a more hands-on approach. I handle most project management aspects myself and maintain daily communication with my team. With my background as a developer, I prefer a collaborative environment with the team rather than merely managing a project. VILMATE's management is not involved daily, but I sense their presence and support when necessary. I trust that if I don’t need to reach out to them for a month, everything is running smoothly. If issues arise, I can contact their senior staff, who typically resolve them quickly. We use modern communication tools, and I organize the project management tools such as those for scrum planning. While I believe they could assist with this if needed, I currently do not find it necessary. They manage human resources and provide regular reports monthly. Having established a trusting relationship with them over time, I feel confident in our collaboration. **What impressed you most about VILMATE?** My trust in them stands out as essential. While this may seem simple, it is crucial. Trust plays a significant role when working remotely. I've heard of many who've had poor experiences with outsourcing due to misunderstandings or shady vendors. I haven't encountered any of that with VILMATE. They take my needs seriously and work diligently to ensure a good match with developers. Additionally, they understand the importance of attracting skilled, young talent and ensure developers are happy. In summary, I appreciate their professional and passionate approach to recruitment, as well as their transparent pricing model. **Are there areas where VILMATE could improve?** My advice for anyone considering outsourcing is that it requires work. You can't treat a resource as just another employee; building relationships is complex and entails both professional and informal interactions. This is a general observation not specific to VILMATE. Naturally, we’ve faced challenges together, and over time I’ve come to know them personally; this can sometimes lead to conflicts. However, I have no particular negatives to mention, as we have always navigated any issues collaboratively.