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SunSeekr.com is the first real-time sunlight map for cities. The web and iOS app lets people istantly discover cafés, pubs, restaurants that are sun-soaked. Currently, SunSeekr works globally with no geographical restrictions. We talked to Mohamed Dawod, Founder & CEO of SunSeekr, to find out more about the app.
How does the app Sunseekr work? In which countries can it be used? Are there any geographical restrictions?
“SunSeekr uses real-time shadow simulation technology combined with building geometry data to show users exactly which cafés, pubs, and restaurants are currently in sunlight. The app calculates sun positions throughout the day and overlays this information on an interactive map, displaying venues with sunny icons when they’re in direct sunlight and shaded icons when they’re not.
Currently, SunSeekr works globally with no geographical restrictions – users can explore sunny spots in any city worldwide. Subject to availability of public data of venues and buildings data”.
How did you come up with the idea of the app? What inspired you to create it?
“The idea came to me on a typical London day when I was searching for a sunny café to work from. Despite checking weather apps and maps, I had no way of knowing which specific venues would actually be in sunlight at that moment. As an architect with experience in computational design and urban systems, I realized I could solve this problem using shadow simulation technology.
The “lightbulb moment” was understanding that sunlight isn’t just weather data – it’s behavioral data. People make different choices when the sun is shining, and I wanted to create a tool that makes those decisions easier and more delightful.”
Can users customize what type of places (coffee shops, restaurants or others) they want to find?
Absolutely! Users can filter by venue type – cafés, pubs, restaurants, and outdoor spaces. We also offer filtering by amenities like outdoor seating, which is particularly relevant for sun-seekers. Additionally, we have premium partnership categories, such as our current Aperol collaboration, where users can specifically discover venues serving particular brands or experiences.”
Does the app provide personalized recommendations based on user habits and preferences?
“Currently, users can create accounts to save their favorite sunny spots for quick access. We’re developing more sophisticated personalization features, including recommendations based on past visits, preferred venue types, and optimal sun-seeking times.”
How is your app different from others? What are the features that make it unique?
“SunSeekr is the world’s first real-time sunlight mapping platform. While other apps show weather forecasts or static venue information, we show the actual sun and shadow conditions right now
Our key differentiators include:
• Real-time shadow calculation using building geometry
• Hyperlocal accuracy – we know which corner of a terrace is sunny
• Behavioral intelligence – we understand how sunlight affects people’s choices
• Integration with venue partnerships for exclusive experiences
• Focus on the emotional aspect of finding sunshine, not just data”
How has the feedback from customers been so far?
“The response has been extraordinary! We hit #1 in the UK App Store Lifestyle category within two weeks of launch, and we now have over 180k+ active users, 90k downloads on AppStore. The feedback consistently highlights how the app solves a real, daily problem that people didn’t realize they had.
Users love discovering new sunny spots they never knew existed and timing their visits perfectly. We’ve received countless messages from people saying SunSeekr has changed how they experience their city. The viral Reddit post that generated over 300k views was filled with comments like “This is exactly what I didn’t know I needed!””
7. Do you have any features you intend to update for the app in the future?
“We’re constantly evolving SunSeekr based on user feedback. We just launched our Android version last week, so now we cover all major mobile ecosystems with both iOS and Android apps.
Our immediate focus includes:
• Enhanced weather integration: We’re working to incorporate more comprehensive weather data to give users even better insights about outdoor conditions
• Smarter recommendations: Bringing more intelligence to help customers discover their perfect sunny moments
• Personalized experiences: More customized features tailored to individual user preferences
• Global events expansion: We just launched an events feature showing users where all the sunny outdoor events are happening. Currently it covers London, but we’re working to expand this feature to major cities worldwide
Our goal is to make SunSeekr increasingly intelligent and helpful for people seeking the perfect outdoor experience, wherever they are in the world.”
