At Manchester Digital, we like to interview our members to find out a bit more about what they do and their work in the Greater Manchester digital and technology sphere. This week, we're speaking with Dr. Somayeh Taheri, CEO and Co-founder of UrbanChain.
Please introduce yourself…
I’m Dr. Somayeh Taheri, CEO and Co-founder of UrbanChain. My background is in data science and sustainability, with a PhD from the University of Manchester. UrbanChain was born from a vision to make energy fairer, cleaner, and more affordable for everyone. As a researcher, I saw first-hand the mismatch between the cost of renewable energy and the price consumers were paying. That inspired me to build a new system – one that challenges the inefficiencies of the traditional energy market and uses AI and blockchain to empower consumers and generators alike.
UrbanChain has positioned itself as a leader in peer-to-peer energy trading. What makes your approach different from traditional energy suppliers?
At UrbanChain, we’ve created a fundamentally different model. Traditional suppliers rely on a centralised, volatile wholesale market. We’ve bypassed that entirely by building private, local energy markets. Our operating system connects consumers directly with renewable energy generators – matching supply and demand every half hour through our AI-powered platform. This creates price stability, reduces energy bills for consumers, and increases margins for generators. More importantly, it allows energy to be renewable, traceable, and local.
Peer-to-peer energy trading is still a relatively new concept. What challenges have you faced in gaining traction and how have you overcome them?
Education has been one of our biggest hurdles. The energy market has operated the same way for decades, so shifting perceptions takes time. There’s also been scepticism – especially toward a tech business disrupting such a traditional space. But we’ve let results speak for themselves. We’ve demonstrated that our system works at scale, delivering better prices, transparent reporting, and no greenwashing. Winning trust through proven impact, regulatory milestones like our Ofgem licence, and strong partnerships has helped us shift the conversation and build momentum.
You work with a variety of businesses across the public and private sector. How do you tailor your offering to meet the unique needs of different stakeholder groups?
Flexibility is built into everything we do. For local authorities and housing associations, we prioritise affordability and energy security while supporting net-zero goals. For businesses and industrial users, we provide tailored supply packages and a focus on traceability to meet ESG and procurement requirements. Being the operating system for decentralised energy means that we have the benefit of being industry agnostic, allowing us to be flexible to meet the needs of a variety of commercial customers.
Sustainability is a major priority for many organisations. How does UrbanChain help businesses meet their ESG goals?
UrbanChain provides a transparent, auditable energy ecosystem. Our system ensures that all electricity consumed is truly renewable and traceable – eliminating the need for unreliable offsetting or greenwashing. Because we connect users directly to generators, we shorten supply chains and reduce Scope 2 emissions. This means organisations can genuinely demonstrate impact, meet compliance targets, and contribute to building a decentralised, low-carbon future.
Female-founded tech companies are still a minority in the UK. What advice would you give to women looking to break into the energy or blockchain sectors?
First, know your worth and trust your vision – especially when it challenges the status quo. I’ve faced cultural biases, gender-based scepticism, and structural barriers. But I’ve also learned that strength lies in staying focused and not wasting energy on those who underestimate you. Build a support network, invest in continuous learning, and don’t let others define what you can achieve. The sector needs more diverse voices, and your perspective is a strength, not a liability.
If you could pick one main thing you hope to gain from this community, what would it be and why?
Collaboration. We’re building a new kind of energy system, but systemic change can’t happen in isolation. I want to connect with others – innovators, policymakers, corporates – who share our mission of creating a fairer and more sustainable energy future. Whether it’s through joint pilots, knowledge exchange or scaling impact, real progress comes from working together.
Thank you Somayeh!
To find out more about UrbanChain, click here.
