Hypha Platform Design: Scaling Ecological Impact

Saraswathi Subbaraman

Product Designer
Product Strategist
Product Director

Problem

Our desire to contribute positively towards environmental sustainability is met with feelings of powerlessness and isolation.

Solution

At hypha, we work to change this, providing an experiential platform of curated, hands-on experiences that help users feel empowered, connected, and impactful.



hypha's website in the wild.
Canvassing with hypha.



Responsive mobile designs for hypha v2

Process

The Head of Product role for the hypha platform was strategic and multifaceted, focusing on company growth and audience building, centered around the unique needs and aspirations of Gen Z and millennials interested in engaging with climate optimism and constructive community action.



  • Product Vision and Strategy:
    • Developed and articulated a compelling vision for Hypha aligning with the mission of empowering and connecting Gen Z and millennials for positive impact.
    • Formulated a product strategy leveraging experiential elements and impact investments to address specific challenges and aspirations.
  • Team Growth
    • Created job postings for the design and marketing team, interviewed candidates, and grew a world-class team.
    • Coached and mentored team members to help them grow into greater r specializations, communication, and responsibility.
  • User-Centric Design:
    • Collaborated with UX/UI designers to create an engaging and intuitive platform for the target demographic.
    • Ensured the design reflected the experiential and community-driven nature of Hypha.
  • Membership Experience:
    • Enhanced and optimized the membership experience, considering the unique needs of Gen Z and millennials.
    • Implemented features fostering empowerment, connectivity, and impact within the community.
  • Community Engagement:
    • Developed strategies for cultivating and sustaining an active, vibrant community on the hypha platform.
    • Facilitated interactive elements encouraging collaboration, communication, and meaningful connections.
  • Impact Investment Integration:
    • Oversaw the integration of impact investment features, ensuring a seamless and transparent process for members.
    • Collaborated with financial and impact experts to identify impactful organizations and investment opportunities.
  • Event Planning and Execution:
    • Coordinated and planned community events aligning with the values and interests of the hypha community.
    • Ensured events contributed to the overall experiential nature of the platform, fostering a sense of belonging.
  • User Growth and Retention:
    • Developed and implemented strategies for user acquisition, considering the growth trajectory and goals of Hypha.
    • Implemented retention strategies for ongoing engagement and satisfaction among existing members.
  • Analytics and Performance Monitoring:
    • Defined and monitored key performance indicators (KPIs) related to user engagement, impact investments, and community growth.
    • Used data insights to make informed decisions and adjustments to the product strategy.
  • Platform Launch:
    • Planned and executed a successful launch strategy for the platform, leveraging momentum gained in the last 6 months.
    • Coordinated marketing efforts to generate awareness and excitement around the Hypha platform.
  • Scaling Impact:
    • Explored opportunities for scaling the impact of hypha, considering potential partnerships, collaborations, or expansion into new markets.
    • Ensured the scalability of the platform to accommodate a growing user base.

Photos from our sold-out monthly SF event

Takeaways

As the Head of Product for hypha, I played a pivotal role in shaping an innovative and impactful platform, bridging the gap between the aspirations of younger generations and their ability to contribute positively to society. The role involved online and field research to gain a deep understanding of the target audience, build a strategic vision, and lead its effective execution to drive growth and community impact.



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