About the company
1feed is an early-stage UK-based startup building an 'Attention OS' – a system for task coordination and AI agent interaction.
2025
Founded
London, UK
Headquarters
Mobile AI application for task and process management
Key Feature
We believe better context creates better hiring decisions. We've placed a Java/Kotlin Engineer for 1feed before, so this time we skipped the ramp-up and went straight into the search.
From the Very First Candidate: How We Found a Java/Kotlin Engineer for 1feed in 3 Days
The Entry Point
The engineering team was scaling fast, but operational workflows relied on informal arrangements between the founder and his executive assistant. As the business grew, this setup failed. The company needed an operational leader to structure internal processes and build AI workflows that would later form the core architecture of the product itself.
The founder initially targeted a candidate from a tech or AI startup who could build end-to-end AI workflows while managing core operational scope: UK legal, vendor coordination, and hiring. On-site presence in London was a strict requirement due to the need for close in-person collaboration with the team.
The founder initially targeted a candidate from a tech or AI startup who could build end-to-end AI workflows while managing core operational scope: UK legal, vendor coordination, and hiring. On-site presence in London was a strict requirement due to the need for close in-person collaboration with the team.
Target Profile
- Operations experience, ideally within AI or software products
- Proven track record building AI workflows: automation, integrations, and deploying AI agents into daily operations
- Core operational background: UK legal and tax context, employment specifics, vendor management
- Location: London (on-site / hybrid)
- Deep understanding of AI product dynamics, beyond basic operational admin
The Challenge
Three factors narrowed the talent pool:
- Hybrid Role Requirements: Combining core operations (UK legal, tax, vendor management) with hands-on AI systems engineering. Most candidates used AI tools like ChatGPT or Claude for point solutions rather than building structured end-to-end workflows.
- Product-Level Impact: Internal AI workflows were intended to serve as a prototype for the core product, requiring a systems-level engineering mindset.
- Location Constraint: A strict London residency requirement for on-site/hybrid work eliminated most remote international talent.
The Lucky Hunter Method
The client requested a highly targeted pipeline rather than a high volume of profiles, requiring deep screening for every submission. Due to client availability, review cycles moved slowly. The first submission included three candidates, each leaning heavily toward a single domain: either UK legal, AI tools, or general operations. None covered the full scope.
2 months
From search start to offer
49
Resumes reviewed
1
Position filled
Everything changed after a detailed review session with the CEO, who walked through what worked and what didn't for each profile. This feedback calibrated the candidate profile against market realities. For the second batch, we submitted only candidates who met all technical and operational criteria simultaneously.
The first candidate from this updated pipeline passed two online interviews, met the CEO in London, and received an offer immediately after the meeting.
The first candidate from this updated pipeline passed two online interviews, met the CEO in London, and received an offer immediately after the meeting.
What’s Next
The new Operations Lead manages current hiring pipelines and works directly with Lucky Hunter on open roles at 1Feed. The candidate also leads internal AI automation initiatives designed to feed directly into the product roadmap.
Detailed feedback from the CEO on the initial candidates revealed that our starting profile was too broad. We recalibrated the search parameters and submitted only candidates who met all criteria at once. That second batch yielded the final hire.
Client’s Testimonial
Recruiter’s Feedback
We've worked with Lucky Hunter before, but this time was really special. We needed a Java/Kotlin engineer with an AI-mindset, not the easiest profile to find. We had a thorough briefing where we discussed everything in detail. The team showed us the first candidate on Friday, we talked to him on Saturday, and made him an offer on Monday. I honestly didn't expect it to move that fast. But I think that's what happens when the recruiters you're working with actually get what you're building and who you need in your team.
Alex
Founder 1Feed
Irina
IT recruiter in Lucky Hunter
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