The Bottom Line
RentMy faced complete development failure with their previous team, leaving them mid-project with no working platform. We rescued the project, rebuilt everything from the ground up, and delivered a marketplace that secured 6-figure VC funding with 10,000+ users in just 3 months.
Concurrent Users
Platform capacity
New Users
In first 3 months
VC Funding
Secured after relaunch
Project Summary
RentMy is an innovative peer-to-peer rental marketplace that revolutionises how people share and rent equipment. Operating within the sharing economy, the platform connects individuals and businesses looking to rent out their underutilised assets with potential renters, contributing to a more sustainable and community-oriented future by reducing waste and overconsumption.
The Problem
RentMy came to OpenKit in crisis. Their previous development team had completely failed to deliver a working platform, leaving them mid-project with significant technical debt, no viable product, and rapidly approaching deadlines. The company faced potential failure unless they could quickly turn around their digital platform and prove viability to investors.
The challenge was immediate: rescue a failed project, rebuild the platform architecture, create a user experience that would drive adoption, and do it all quickly enough to maintain investor confidence and secure the funding needed for growth.
The High-Stakes Challenge of Platform Rescue
For RentMy, this wasn't just about building a marketplace – it was about survival. The previous development team's failure had left them with a partially built platform that couldn't handle real users, a damaged codebase full of security vulnerabilities, and mounting pressure from investors who needed to see results. Time was running out.
The Critical Issues
The stakes couldn't have been higher. RentMy needed a platform that could not only work but scale to support their ambitious growth plans and prove to investors that the business model was viable. Failure meant losing everything they'd worked to build.
Our Solution: Platform Rescue and Rapid Rebuild
We moved quickly to assess what could be salvaged from the existing codebase and what needed to be rebuilt from scratch. Our approach focused on delivering a working, scalable platform as fast as possible while ensuring the user experience would drive the adoption and engagement needed to secure investor confidence.
How We Solved It
Platform Rescue and Rebuild
Quickly assessed the existing codebase, identified salvageable components, and rebuilt the platform with a focus on performance and user experience.
Scalable Architecture Design
Designed and implemented a robust system architecture capable of handling over 100,000 concurrent users with seamless performance.
AI-Powered Features
Integrated ChatGPT for automated product descriptions and enhanced user experience through intelligent platform features.
Design and Development Process
Working under tight deadlines, we collaborated closely with the RentMy team using Whimsical for rapid wireframing and prototyping. This allowed us to iterate quickly on design decisions and get stakeholder approval without slowing down development. We focused on creating an intuitive user experience that would work seamlessly for both renters and item owners.
The rebuilt platform needed to handle the complexities of a two-sided marketplace while maintaining simplicity for users.
Key Platform Features
1. Enhanced Search Experience
One of the key improvements we made to RentMy's platform was the complete optimisation of the search functionality. We implemented a range of features designed to enhance the user experience and make it easier for customers to find the rental items they need.
The enhanced search includes clear, high-level categories for each type of rental item, optimised backend code with lazy loading for images, improved scrolling functionality, and ensured mobile-friendliness across all devices. Advanced filters help users narrow down results by location, price range, availability, and item condition.
2. AI-Powered Product Descriptions
We leveraged our AI expertise to integrate ChatGPT into product pages, helping users generate comprehensive, engaging descriptions for their rental items. This feature streamlines the listing process and ensures high-quality, detailed product information across the platform.
The AI assistant guides users through creating detailed descriptions, suggests optimal pricing based on similar items, and helps highlight key features that renters care about. This significantly reduces the time needed to create quality listings while improving the overall marketplace experience.
3. Secure Payment Processing
We implemented a robust payment and scheduling system that ensures secure transactions between renters and item owners. The platform includes identity verification, secure payment processing, and automated dispute resolution mechanisms.
The payment system supports multiple payment methods, automatic escrow for rental deposits, and transparent fee structures. Users can track payment history, receive automated receipts, and benefit from comprehensive fraud protection measures that build trust in the marketplace.
4. User Onboarding System
We designed a streamlined onboarding process that facilitates rapid platform adoption for both renters and item owners. The system guides new users through account setup, profile creation, and their first transaction with interactive tutorials.
The onboarding flow includes progressive disclosure of features, contextual help systems, and personalised recommendations based on user preferences. This approach significantly reduces abandonment rates and helps new users quickly understand the platform's value proposition.
5. Rental Management Dashboard
We created a comprehensive dashboard that allows item owners to manage their rentals efficiently, track earnings, monitor item performance, and communicate with renters. The dashboard provides real-time insights into rental activity and revenue.
The management system includes automated scheduling, availability management, maintenance reminders, and performance analytics. Item owners can easily track which items are most popular, optimise pricing strategies, and manage multiple rentals simultaneously through an intuitive interface.
Results and Impact
The platform rescue and rebuild delivered immediate and dramatic results that transformed RentMy's trajectory:
Platform Performance
Successfully built a bespoke system capable of handling over 100,000 concurrent users with robust payment processing, scheduling systems, and seamless user experience across all devices.
User Growth
Over 10,000 users signed up within the first 3 months of launch, demonstrating strong market validation and user adoption of the improved platform experience.
Investment Success
RentMy secured an additional 6-figure VC funding round based on the platform's performance and user growth, validating the business model and technical execution.
SEO Performance
Implemented server-side rendering techniques to boost search rankings, improving organic discovery and reducing customer acquisition costs for the marketplace.
The Return on Investment
Business Transformation
- Platform rescue completed in 6 months, saving the business from complete failure
- 100,000+ concurrent user capacity with robust architecture and payment systems
- 10,000+ users onboarded in first 3 months demonstrating strong product-market fit
- 6-figure VC funding secured based on platform performance and user growth
Technical Achievement
- Scalable architecture: Built to handle massive concurrent user loads
- AI integration: ChatGPT-powered product descriptions improve listing quality
- Security implementation: Secure payment processing and user verification
- Mobile-optimised experience: Seamless functionality across all devices
Client Testimonial
"OpenKit stepped in mid-project to deliver a performant and feature-rich platform. Despite the challenges of working with an existing codebase, OpenKit managed to build a robust frontend, driving a user experience that is both intuitive and engaging. Their dedication, expertise, and professionalism have exceeded our expectations."
Tom West
CEO at RentMy
Why This Matters for Your Business
RentMy's transformation demonstrates what's possible when you need to rescue a failed project and turn it into a success. We didn't just fix their platform – we rebuilt it to scale, secured their funding, and proved their business model works. The rapid user growth and investor confidence show the power of getting the technology right.
If your organisation faces a failed development project, needs to scale rapidly, or requires a platform that can handle serious user growth while maintaining security and performance, this approach could save your business.
Need to rescue a failed project or build something that scales?
We specialise in platform rescues, rapid development, and building systems that can handle serious growth. If you're facing development challenges, tight deadlines, or need a team that can deliver under pressure, let's discuss your situation.
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