Ask HN: FPGAs for a small trading group?

We are a small prop group, historically very focused on speed but our system is still in software. We are considering building an FPGA to provide fast orders in response to some events.

I'm interested in thoughts or war stories around these topics:

- Should we build a C or C++ version of the FPGA first to clarify the exact behavior and define the interfaces to the master trading system?

- Have you been involved in the move from low latency software to FPGAs? How did it go?

- Is it critical for the FPGA developer to have trading experience? Being in Colorado, there aren't many (any?) trading FPGA people around.