Blackcurrant: Building a B2B Hydrogen Marketplace

Industry-Side Context

• Outdated trading methods. Hydrogen trading was based on traditional procurement methods hampered by competitive bidding, manual workflows, and fragmented communication. These inefficiencies extended trading times by up to seven months, and there was no centralized platform to integrate transactions, logistics, and compliance.
• Carbon intensity challenges. When net zero targets became inevitable, seamless, real-time carbon intensity (AI) tracking for every transaction was critical. It was also essential to navigate the maze of complex regulations, such as the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), to receive tax credits and incentives.
• Scalability required. Given the rapid expansion of the hydrogen market, the platform must be able to support multiple regions, process large amounts of data, and adapt to market dynamics. The need for multi-currency and multi-language functionality made things even more complex.

Client-Side Dynamics

• Changing visions. At the start of the project, the roadmap was constantly evolving, with functional requirements being adjusted through iterative collaboration and feedback.
• Diverse stakeholder input. Input from regional partners, enterprise customers, and government agencies is often conflicted and exacerbated by regulatory changes.
• Time-sensitive deliverables. Because the schedule was driven by federal funding and Department of Energy (DOE) initiatives, the project aimed to reduce the transaction time from several months to a single day.

To meet Blackcurrant’s diverse and changing needs, we adopted a two-team strategy: a core team to ensure stability and expertise throughout the project and a flexible team to adapt quickly to new features and changing requirements. This structure allowed us to make steady progress while remaining adaptable to the client’s evolving vision.

The core team consisted of key full-time specialists dedicated to delivering the key functionality of the platform:

• Project Manager optimized communication, coordinated workflows, and ensured agile implementation by adhering to clear sprint goals and iterative improvements.
• Technical Lead led the development and ensured technical excellence.
• Angular and .NET developers focused on developing robust and scalable features.
• The UX/UI designer created an intuitive user interface and seamless user experience.

To address the dynamic challenges of the project, we have put together a flexible team with the expertise to swiftly adapt and meet the project’s needs. To keep a lid on Blackcurrant’s initial requirements — due to their heavy reliance on customer input and differing visions — we brought a business analyst to the team. 

In addition, a data science specialist was instrumental in configuring a bespoke NLP-powered AI engine using OpenAI’s models.  By zeroing in on industry-specific needs, we tailored the AI model to meet industry-specific requirements, enabling real-time analysis of complex data sets and delivering user insights. This flexible and adaptable team structure ensured the project effectively achieved its technical and business objectives.

This two-tier structure combined a core team’s reliability with a flexible team’s agility.

Strict adherence to the Scrum principles enabled the work to be organized smoothly. Regular planning meetings, bi-weekly sprints, and results demonstrations kept the team on track and focused. Our open-door approach to client communication — not just calls but also well-prepared demos — ensured we could respond to requests in real time. Even with challenges, such as unexpected changes, our commitment to open communication and flexibility allowed us to deliver without delay. 

 

 — Yuliia Martyniuk, Project Manager of Devox Software

By combining the industry knowledge of the founders with the technical know-how of Devox Software, a complete solution tailored to the hydrogen market was created.

The project ended with the successful launch of the Blackcurrant B2B platform. This milestone met all technical and business goals. To celebrate this, Devox Software and Blackcurrant’s teams held a heartfelt online event to deepen a successful partnership.

BUSINESS OUTCOMES

• Reduced time to revenue. Transactions that used to take seven months are now completed in just two months — a reduction of 71%. This accelerates deals, increases sales, and strengthens Blackcurrant’s market position.
• Market leadership. Blackcurrant has proven to be a pioneer and has set the benchmark for the hydrogen economy. They have partnered with Chevron and joined DOE-sponsored hydrogen hubs that set new standards.
• Redefining revenue diversification. Features like carbon intensity tracking and compliance tools aren’t just add-ons. They’re revenue multipliers. With the ability to take advantage of tax credits and sustainability programs under initiatives like the Inflation Reduction Act, Blackcurrant has opened the doors to entirely new revenue streams.
• Customer acceptance speaks volumes. A smooth onboarding process and streamlined user interface have made Blackcurrant the most popular platform in North America. The adoption curve is steep and just beginning with upcoming global expansion into Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
• Monetization via subscriptions. The platform’s success has prompted Blackcurrant to introduce subscription plans with premium features. These plans have increased revenue streams by offering premium features that strengthen customer loyalty and drive growth.

TECHNICAL OUTCOMES

• Buyer Connection Map. We’ve introduced an intuitive feature that transforms how participants in sales and purchasing connect. This dynamic interactive map allows users to effortlessly locate one another based on location and price, providing a bird’s-eye view of opportunities at their fingertips.
• Real-time carbon monitoring. The platform uses machine learning to give companies real-time insights into pricing trends. Visual analytics tools transform complex data sets into clear, actionable strategies that lead to faster decisions, and the AI bot by OpenAI boosts the user experience. It redefines intelligence and efficiency in the hydrogen sector.
• Future-proof modular design. Responsive dashboards and secure API integrations provide an intuitive user experience. Real-time dashboards streamline workflows. 
• Redesign of the RFP workflows. The platform has redefined the efficiency of RFP management and reduced transaction times from months to days.
• Cloud-based scalability. The platform’s cloud-native architecture is based on AWS and supports high transaction volumes and real-time processing in North America, Europe, and Asia.
• Reliable data security. End-to-end encryption, secure APIs, and global compliance protect data and instill user confidence.
• AI-supported operations. Advanced machine learning models predict trading volumes and prices in real time. Integrated with natural language processing (NLP) to accurately and quickly interpret complex data such as DOE reports and ensure robust analytics.

“Blackcurrant operates in a highly specialized niche, where every innovation feels like navigating uncharted waters. This made the project not only challenging but also extremely rewarding. I’m immensely proud that our technical ingenuity and adaptability have not only contributed to creating a groundbreaking solution that will impact the future of hydrogen trading but has also played a role in promoting a greener planet.”

 — Daria Liashchuk, Senior Account Manager/Client Partner of Devox Software