Architect Abandons Career After Sun-Tracking App Goes Viral
An innovative architect has successfully transitioned from his full-time profession after developing a groundbreaking digital map that pinpoints sunlight locations across London at specific times. The application, designed to help individuals locate optimal beer gardens or outdoor dining spots, has experienced explosive growth, enabling its creator to pursue this venture exclusively.
From Personal Frustration to Viral Phenomenon
Mo Dawod, a 34-year-old originally from Egypt, conceived the idea during a London outing in April last year when he struggled to find a café bathed in sunlight for an iced coffee. That same evening, he constructed a rudimentary map using publicly accessible building data to indicate whether establishments were sunny or shaded.
The platform operates by analyzing venue dimensions and footprints to simulate shadows, displaying sun emojis for bright areas and moon symbols for shaded ones. What began as a simple personal tool rapidly evolved into Sunseekr, a top-charting application that prompted Mo to leave his architectural career behind.
"I started to play around and try to build this map," Mo recalled. "I decided to share it with the community to see if anyone was also struggling like me. People went crazy and it went so viral on Reddit that night. I was astonished and shocked."
Explosive Growth and Monetization Strategy
Within four days of its official launch, Sunseekr claimed the number one position in the UK lifestyle category. The application has since amassed over 250,000 users, primarily concentrated in London and the UK, with expanding audiences in Spain and Germany.
Last summer, the platform secured a sponsorship agreement with Aperol, which developed its own version highlighting locations where patrons could enjoy Aperol Spritz in sunny settings. During winter months when usage naturally declines, Mo focused on enhancing the platform with new functionalities.
Establishments can now purchase enhanced visibility through photo uploads, outdoor space mapping, and promotional placement in the explore section for £350 annually. The latest summer 2026 update introduces venue operating hours alongside user comments and ratings features.
Technological Advancements and Community Collaboration
"I started to look to see if there was a way to monetise it, because I have bills to pay," Mo explained regarding his business approach. "When I built this app it was more of a hack for the problem I had. Now I am trying to take it to the next level."
The completely rebuilt application now provides hour-by-hour sunlight projections for mapped outdoor areas, incorporating extensive user feedback from previous seasons. Mo actively encourages community participation in mapping additional establishments to expand coverage and accuracy.
"We are now asking our community to help us map because we have the technology but we don't have the manpower to go and map every single pub," he noted. "Sunseekr was suddenly this sign that I can build stuff and I have a lot of ideas. I realised that I should pursue it and see where it can take me."
International Expansion and Future Prospects
While maintaining strongest engagement in the UK, the application's availability in Germany and Spain enables British travelers to identify sunny terraces during international holidays. Mo anticipates numerous new partnerships and continued platform evolution, expressing particular pride in the application's trajectory and potential.
"It has been for me such a crazy journey," he reflected. "It was so unexpected. I never thought I would be running such a platform. I am so happy that I managed to put this together."
For optimal user experience, Mo recommends exploring the newly implemented trending venues section and explore feature, where establishments have undergone comprehensive mapping. The platform continues to refine its algorithms to deliver increasingly precise sunlight predictions across London's hospitality landscape.
