EST. 2020 / LONDON & GLOBAL
RESEARCH & STRATEGIC ADVISORY
The Thesis
Strategy & Silks is a research and advisory practice at the intersection of technology, business, and creative excellence.
Founded by Mary Ariyo, the practice publishes original analysis on platform economics, AI-enabled business models and the businesses being reshaped by both and works directly with founders and executive teams who need clear, strategic thinking at the point of decision.
Mary Ariyo is a strategic operator specialising in high-complexity strategic and operational work. Drawing on experience in equity research sales at Sanford C. Bernstein, strategic operations across Apple's EMEA and broader international markets, and scale-ups including carwow and ClearScore, she helps founders build operational foundations, craft compelling investor narratives, and develop and validate market strategy.
Core Domains
- Operational Architecture
- Investor Readiness
- Market Strategy
- Partnership Development
01 / Research
Platform Governance & Economics
Deep analysis of digital market structures, incentive design, and the evolving regulatory landscape for platform-based business models.
Research Themes & Practice
02 / Research
Creator Monetisation & Ownership
Exploring the shift from attention-based metrics to sustainable ownership models in the creative economy and media platforms.
03 / Research
AI-Native Product Strategy
AI's greatest commercial opportunity lies in building products that people actually trust and want to use. We develop frameworks for founders commercialising AI - focused on sustainable business models, genuine consumer value, and competitive advantages that don't come at the expense of the people they serve.
How we work
Strategy & Silks operates as a high-signal advisory for founders and funds navigating platform and AI complexity. We offer two primary engagement models designed for velocity and depth.
Fractional Strategic Operator
Ongoing partnership focusing on operational excellence, cross-functional alignment, and strategic execution for high-growth leadership teams.
Special Projects
Discrete, High-impact project work for founders who need senior strategic rigour on a defined challenge - market mapping, platform strategy, or commercial positioning.
Workflows That Work
Growth should feel like momentum, not overwhelm. We design the systems and processes that let your team scale with clarity - built around how you actually work.
Ideas with Investor Cachet
Every great company has a story that investors need to hear. We help founders find that story - bridging the gap between what you've built and what investors need to understand, and putting the narrative, positioning, and infrastructure in place to make it land.
Qualifying Market Moves
Whether you're capitalising on momentum or navigating challenging market conditions, new markets are full of promise and hidden complexity. We bring research rigour and strategic clarity to help founders identify where the real opportunity lies - validating entry points, mapping the competitive landscape, and positioning for commercial success before you commit.
Demand Generation
The right partnerships can change the trajectory of a business overnight. We help founders map the ecosystem, build the relationships that matter, and structure commercial alliances that generate real, compounding demand — so your network works as hard as your product does.