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A $20m renewable energy business: Nectr’s Andrew Butler on culture, renewable energy and remote work

Nectr is run by Andrew Butler, a former electrical linesman born in regional Victoria. Andrew speaks with Owen Rask on The Australia Business Podcast about culture, marketing and growth.

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Nectr is an energy retailer that achieved 20,000 customers and annualised revenue of $20 million within just two years.

Nectr is run by Managing Director Andrew Butler, a former electrical linesman born in regional Victoria.

In this Australian Business Podcast episode, Andrew Butler and Owen Rask talk about the challenges and opportunities of running a renewable energy start-up, developing a team culture that focuses on customers, remote work, being bought out by an overseas company, and more.

A bit about Nectr

  • Launched in Feb 2020, at the outset of the COVID 19 pandemic.
  • The company buys renewable electricity and has big plans to create a way for Aussie households to share their renewable energy (e.g. you could buy your neighbour’s excess solar panel energy)
  • Acquired 10,000 customers within first 10 months of launch and 20,000 customers within 2 years (with annualised revenues exceeding $20 Million)
  • Nectr now offers Home Solar, Battery, Retail & Finance bundles, and an integrated Mobile App.

Talking points

  • Does Andrew’s hobby of sailing help him lead better?
  • How energy is made, bought, sold and distributed in Australia?
  • The most successful marketing messages so far – how did Nectr get to 10,000 customers so quickly?
  • We know culture and branding are key to tech start-ups and sexy Silicon Valley businesses, but how important are culture and brand in an electricity business?
  • Work-life balance is the top focus when recruiting at Nectr. How do you maintain an effectively distributed and in-person team, especially when management is across timezones and languages?
  • Hiring: do you hire for passion or pedigree? What are the core attributes you look for in leaders or managers?
  • Having started multiple businesses, what’s one thing you wish you knew about business 5 years ago?

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✅ Grey Space Advisory – snag a $100 health check

Do you get stuck worrying about your business’ finances? Or what needs to be paid to ATO, employees, Super funds and so on? The Australian Business Podcast is proud to announce that our sponsor, Grey Space Advisory, is offering all business owners a financial health check.

Jordan and Danil’s expert team of accountants will conduct a review of your tax structure, bank setup, ATO obligations and reporting, business insurance and provide some advice on how to manage all of this — for just $99! You can book a $99 health check with the Grey Space Advisory team and tell them Owen sent you.

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The Australian Business Podcast’s official sponsor is Rask, our very own company. We empower hundreds of thousands of investors around Australia, whether you’re new or have been investing for 40 years. You can take an investing course on Rask Education to discover how Owen carefully researches small or blue chip companies, or become a premium Rask member today to speak directly with Owen and see what he is investing in.

As Warren Buffett famously said, “I am a better investor because I am a businessman, and a better businessman because I am no investor.” 

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