RYE Energy

Learnings

Through early discovery with operators and their teams, we identified a consistent set of pain points. Energy was seen as both a major cost and an ongoing headache, yet most businesses lacked the tools, visibility, or leverage to manage it effectively. These insights directly shaped what we built:

1. Managing energy across sites is messy

Operators juggled suppliers, spreadsheets, and logins. We built one app to track everything in the same place.

2. Getting affordable rates is hard

Customers lacked time or leverage to negotiate. RYE offered below-market rates for multi-site businesses by default, no chasing required. Switching sites to RYE rate was made easy in the app.

3. Energy admin drains time

Billing errors, meter issues tenancy changes slowed teams down. We automated the process to cut the noise

4. Wasted energy often goes unnoticed

Issues like faulty kit or overnight usage were easy to miss until they show up in a bill. Real-time alerts helped fix problems fast and save users money.

Wearing multiple hats, end to end

As the founding product partner, I worked closely with RYE’s CEO to shape the entire product and experience from the ground up. I led product management; scoping the MVP, defining the roadmap, and driving delivery. I also helped shape aspects of operations and facilitate cross-team collaboration.

At the same time, I owned design across the board: from platform UX to brand direction, experience principles, and the first marketing site. Beyond design and product I also contributed to go-to-market strategy; helping define messaging, build sales materials, and translate early customer insights into clear positioning. Every decision was grounded in real-world operator needs, balancing speed with long-term clarity and cohesion.

Outcomes

In just five months, we brought RYE’s proposition to life, translating early-stage ambition into a working product, a clear narrative, and real customer value. The tools we built gave members visibility, control, and savings from day one, while laying the foundation for scalable growth.

Live with early customers

10% MoM growth to date across multiple hospitality groups, managing energy for dozens of sites from one simple platform

Energy cost savings unlocked

Average RYE sites save £3,000 per year through exclusive supply rates and rapid onboarding of new sites

Time saved

3+ hours saved per customer each month by automating high-friction processes like change of tenancy and supplier management

Clear user feedback

Monthly user groups helped validate the need for simplicity, visibility, and control in a sector underserved by traditional energy tools

The result was a credible, user-backed MVP and a confident step into market, with strong foundations for future growth and iteration.