Episode 3: Visionary: Sight on Demand

Summary: <pre><code>Facing the prognosis that he will eventually lose his sight, Hans Jørgen Wiberg sets his sights on an idea that would change everything... Be My Eyes is a free mobile app designed to bring sight to the blind and visually impaired. With the press of a button, the app establishes a live video connection between blind and visually impaired users and sighted volunteers. Every day, volunteers are lending their eyes to solve challenges both big and small in the lives of the blind and visually impaired. With over half a million users across 150 countries, Be My Eyes has grown to become the largest online community for the blind and visually impaired. The app harnesses the power of generosity, technology and human connection to help blind and visually impaired individuals lead more independent lives. In April 2012, he presented his idea for an application at a startup event in Denmark. At this event, he connected with a team, ready to make Be My Eyes a reality. On October 4th, 2013, Hans presented the Be My Eyes idea in an impassioned Ted Talk, which continues to resonate with hundreds of thousands of volunteers around the globe. The app was launched the 15th of January 2015 and within 24 hours had 10,000 users. In October 2015, Be My Eyes received one of 7 spots in Singularity University’s accelerator program, as the only Scandinavian company. See the full list of companies here. Be My Eyes was a 2015 Index Awards finalist and has also been featured on Popular Science’s list of best apps of 2015. Furthermore, Be My Eyes is in the top ten of the Disrupt 100 2017. World-leading entrepreneurs, investors, and business people name the businesses on the Disrupt 100, to be the ones with most potential to influence, change or create new global markets. In September 2017, Be My Eyes, wins the Oslo Innovation Week Award. Later in September, Be My Eyes is selected to participate in Expo2020 in Dubai. On, 5th October 2017, the Android version was launched – With Be My Eyes available for Android, we will are able to reach even more blind and visually impaired people across the world and help them to lead more independent lives. In November 2017, Be My Eyes wins the CER prize 2017 In November 2017, Be My Eyes wins World Summit Award 2017 in the Category Inclusion and Empowerment. In December 2017 Be My Eyes was chosen as one of Google Play’s Best Apps of 2017 in the categories “Most innovative” alongside Google Earth, Pinterest and Snap Chat, “Daily Helper” and “Hidden Gem” </code></pre><p>Special Guest: Hans Jørgen Wiberg.</p><p><a rel="payment" href="http://Patreon.com/NonSequitur">Support The NonSequitur Show </a></p>