Company: RSG Recruiting Solutions Group GmbH

Founder: Ricardo Serrano

Date Founded: August 1, 2025

Industry and Company: Recruitment Consulting & AI Automation (HR Tech)

What drives you? What is your motto?

Technology should give people back their time, not replace them.

What is your startup about, and what makes it unique?

RSG fills specialist and leadership positions at medium-sized companies and builds AI voice agents that answer calls, schedule appointments, and pre-qualify inquiries—around the clock and in German. What sets us apart: We don’t just provide the software—we handle the entire operation as well. SMEs get AI that works from day one, without needing their own IT team.

What have been your initial successes?

The best moment was the first successful hire—a position a client had been unable to fill for months—and the sigh of relief that followed. Another highlight: the invitation to present RSG AI at the HESSENMETALL startup event on the P&G Campus in Kronberg. An idea turned into tangible trust.

What’s your professional background?

I come from the HR consulting field and spent a long time filling positions for other companies. At some point, I wanted to do it myself—first with a small UG, then with my own GmbH. Today, I combine recruiting with what excites me most: AI and automation.

What prompted you to start your own company?

As a recruiter, I saw every day how much time was wasted on routine tasks—making calls, following up, coordinating appointments—while the actual work with people took a back seat. At some point, it became clear: this is exactly where AI can be a huge help. Instead of waiting for someone else to build this solution, I decided to do it myself. In the end, the step toward self-employment was more a matter of logic than courage.

Who has advised you, and who are your supporters and mentors?

My tax advisor gives me great support, taking care of the numbers and structure so I can focus on other things. I also get important insights from my network. But my family is—and always will be—my most important anchor.

How did you experience your first few days as a founder?

A mix of freedom and responsibility. Suddenly, you’re making all the decisions yourself—and taking full responsibility for them. The first few days were less about euphoria and more about focus: launching the website, holding initial meetings, and sending out proposals. The best part: It felt like “my” company from day one.

What was your biggest challenge, and how did you overcome it?

Handling everything on my own. As a solo founder, you’re sales, tech, and accounting all rolled into one. My solution: consistently relying on automation and AI. Processes that used to require a team now run in the background. That way, I can grow without becoming a bottleneck myself.

How do you draw attention to your business? What’s your best marketing idea?

My best idea: Prospective customers can simply call my AI voice agent and experience it live, instead of just reading a brochure—the product sells itself. On top of that, I use LinkedIn, a clear website, and, above all, recommendations. In the SME sector, trust counts more than any ad.

How did you secure funding for your startup?

Entirely on my own. I deliberately avoided large loans and financed everything with my own funds and initial revenue. That keeps things lean and forces you to think about profitability early on.

What dream do you still want to make come true?

RSG AI should become for small and medium-sized businesses what large AI teams are for corporations. And on a personal note: to take a long trip with my family someday (6 months+).

Please complete the following sentence: If I had more time, I would… 

… go running more often and spend more time with the kids.

What’s your top tip: What would you recommend to founders?

Get started before you feel ready—and automate early on. It’s better to start today at 80% than never at 100%.