RightHear
RightHear is an Israeli company that provides audio wayfinding and indoor orientation for blind and visually impaired individuals via Bluetooth beacons, camera-readable markers, and a free iOS/Android app. It sells hardware and dashboard licenses to 2,500+ venues worldwide, including stadiums, hospitals, universities, banks, and restaurants.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersRa'anana, Israel
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What RightHear does
RightHear (legal entity Zikitapp Ltd.) is a privately held Israeli company founded in 2015 and headquartered in Ra'anana, with a US office in Rockville, Maryland. The company provides an audio-based indoor orientation and wayfinding platform for blind and visually impaired individuals, deployed across 2,500+ venues worldwide including stadiums, hospitals, universities, financial branches, restaurants, hotels, parks, libraries, and museums. The system combines three components: (1) Accessibility Spots — self-powered Bluetooth Low Energy beacons (HID BEEKs Lite) installed at decision points that carry one location description and up to eight directional messages; (2) Smart AI Markers — high-contrast camera-readable printed markers for precise location confirmation; and (3) a free iOS/Android mobile app that delivers real-time audio descriptions via the device's native Text-to-Speech engine, with 360-degree orientation, 26-language support, Braille and VoiceOver/TalkBack compatibility, and outdoor GPS mode using OpenStreetMap.
RightHear operates a two-sided business model. The mobile app is provided free to end users with no login or data collection, and revenue is generated entirely from the venue side through the sale and licensing of the Accessibility Spot hardware, Smart AI Markers, and the venue Client Dashboard for content management. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed; the accessiBe partnership distributes a free Base Plan to qualifying venues as part of a joint accessibility ecosystem. Go-to-market combines enterprise direct sales (demos, site assessments, pilots) to stadium operators, hospital administrators, university campus managers, corporate real estate, and government entities, with product-led growth through app-store distribution and a community-led advocacy program ("RightHear Movement") that encourages users to request installations at preferred venues.
The company is led by co-founders Idan Meir (CEO) and Gil Elgrably (CTO), is a Techstars portfolio company (September 2022), and has been recognized via the Zero Project 2023 shortlist, MindShare 2023 cohort, and GeekAwards "Best Bootstrapped Startup of the Year 2020."
RightHear firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- RightHear
- Legal name
- Zikitapp Ltd.
- Website
- https://right-hear.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- RightHear is an Israeli company that provides audio wayfinding and indoor orientation for blind and visually impaired individuals via Bluetooth beacons, camera-readable markers, and a free iOS/Android app. It sells hardware and dashboard licenses to 2,500+ venues worldwide, including stadiums, hospitals, universities, banks, and restaurants.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
RightHear industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Assistive Accessibility Software / Indoor Wayfinding Technology
- akta.pro primary industry
- Assistive Hearing & Communication Access (Captioning, Hearing Support, Transcription) (EDAFAKAC)
Keywords
Where RightHear is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Ra'anana
- HQ country
- Israel
- HQ region
- Middle East
Offices3 records
Markets served
RightHear business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Operations
Revenue model
- Venue System Licensing / Hardware Sales: RightHear charges venues (businesses, stadiums, hospitals, universities, government facilities) for the purchase and installation of Accessibility Spot beacons, markers, and the ongoing software/dashboard license. The system requires no wired power or network infrastructure — beacons are peel-and-stick, self-powered, and last approximately 4 years before battery replacement. Venues include Shell Energy Stadium, Houston Dynamo FC, McDonald's franchises, hospitals, universities, and financial institutions.
- Free End-User App: The RightHear mobile app is provided completely free to blind and low-vision users on iOS and Android. No registration, login, or data collection is required. Revenue is not derived from end users but from the venues that deploy the infrastructure.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Multi-year contract | Free Base Plan for venues (via accessiBe partnership) |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
RightHear product offering
Product offeringCore offering
RightHear sells an indoor audio wayfinding and accessibility system to venue operators, consisting of Bluetooth Low Energy beacons (Accessibility Spots), camera-readable markers, and a venue management dashboard. A free companion smartphone app for blind and visually impaired end users (iOS/Android) provides real-time 360-degree audio orientation by reading descriptions aloud via Text-to-Speech at venues equipped with the system.
Product overview
RightHear is a unified audio wayfinding and accessibility platform consisting of three core components: (1) Accessibility Spots - Bluetooth Low Energy sensors and Smart AI Markers installed at venues for indoor positioning; (2) the RightHear Mobile App - a free iOS/Android application that delivers real-time audio descriptions and orientation information using Text-to-Speech and camera-based marker reading; and (3) the RightHear Client Dashboard - an online portal for venue managers to update content and manage their sensor fleet. The platform serves blind and visually impaired users, providing 360-degree orientation, navigation assistance, and points of interest information in 26 languages. The system operates in both indoor environments (via Bluetooth beacons) and outdoor environments (via GPS and Open Street Map), supporting users through native accessibility systems VoiceOver and TalkBack.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- RightHear Accessibility Spot (BLE Beacon) Small, self-powered Bluetooth Low Energy sensor (HID BEEKs Lite) installed at key decision points throughout venues such as entrances, elevators, restrooms, and concourses. Each spot carries one location description plus up to eight directional messages, enabling 360-degree orientation awareness for blind and visually impaired users.
- RightHear Mobile App Free smartphone application available on iOS and Android that provides real-time audio wayfinding and 360-degree orientation. Features include Current Location announcements, nearby accessible locations, integration with VoiceOver and TalkBack, multilingual support across 26 languages, and offline indoor mode.
- RightHear Client Dashboard Online management portal for venue owners and facility managers to configure Accessibility Spots, update audio descriptions and directional messages in real time, and monitor the deployed system as venues change.
- Smart AI Marker High-contrast printed markers pre-coded with facility information that users scan with the RightHear app's smartphone camera to confirm precise location and receive orientation details. Provides a dedicated confirmation layer that complements the BLE beacon system.
- RightHear Talking Signage System End-to-end audio wayfinding system that combines Accessibility Spots (BLE beacons), Smart AI Markers (camera-readable), and the RightHear mobile app to convert physical spaces into audio-described environments for blind and visually impaired users. Sold to venue owners and facility managers as the primary customer-facing offering.
Quantifiable outcome
- 2,500+ accessible venues deployed worldwide
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use RightHear
Customer profileNamed customers15 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
RightHear technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration10 records
AI capability4 records
Feature8 records
RightHear partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.
- accessiBecoreaccessiBe partnered with RightHear to expand accessibility features, providing free access to RightHear's Base Plan and a talking sign. The collaboration aims to make physical spaces more inclusive for people with disabilities, with accessiBe promoting RightHear to its ecosystem of accessibility-conscious organizations.
- Houston Dynamo FC / The Lighthouse of HoustonflagshipHouston Dynamo FC and The Lighthouse of Houston partnered with RightHear to install the accessibility system at Shell Energy Stadium, making it the first professional sports venue in North America with the RightHear system. The Lighthouse of Houston contributed disability community expertise to the deployment.
- Red Bull New York / Sports Illustrated StadiumflagshipSports Illustrated Stadium (home of Red Bull New York and NY/NJ Gotham FC) partnered with RightHear to deploy a vast network of HID BEEKs Lite Bluetooth beacons throughout the venue, enabling independent navigation for blind and low-vision fans.
- MoovitcoreMoovit and RightHear integrated their services to connect the dots of accessibility for blind transit users. RightHear app users can select Moovit as a navigation option to reach destinations, enabling multi-modal journey planning combining indoor accessibility with public transit.
- McDonald'scoreMcDonald's franchise locations (including in Toronto) deployed RightHear's talking signage, enabling blind and visually impaired customers to navigate independently. Partnership framed as local franchise testing phase with global scalability potential.
- MicrosoftminorMicrosoft is listed as a trusted brand partner in RightHear's ecosystem, along with McDonald's and Costa Coffee. Nature of partnership includes brand association and potential co-marketing.
- The Lighthouse of HoustoncoreThe Lighthouse of Houston, an organization serving people with vision loss, partnered with RightHear and Houston Dynamo FC to deploy the accessibility system at Shell Energy Stadium, contributing community expertise and advocacy.
- Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind (CLB)coreCLB partnered with RightHear to install the technology in their Silver Spring office, expanding access for people with vision loss in the Washington, DC region. CLB President and CEO Tony Cancelosi endorsed the partnership publicly.
- Lighthouse GuildcoreLighthouse Guild Chief Technology Officer Bryan M. Wolynski, O.D. publicly endorsed RightHear technology, stating it increases independence and confidence for people with vision loss navigating new environments.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
RightHear competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- GoodMaps: GoodMaps offers indoor mapping and wayfinding solutions with accessibility features for visually impaired users in venues like airports and malls. Directly comparable in indoor wayfinding for the blind, using a different technology stack (primarily camera/LiDAR-based).
- Lazarillo: Lazarillo provides an indoor navigation app for blind and visually impaired users using Bluetooth beacons, very similar to RightHear's core beacon-based wayfinding model. Directly comparable technology stack and customer base across multiple geographies.
- Wayfindr: Wayfindr developed open standards for audio wayfinding for the visually impaired using Bluetooth beacons in venues like transit stations. Historically directly comparable technology and audience; status of operations has been uncertain in recent years.
- Be My Eyes: Be My Eyes connects blind users with sighted volunteers (and now GPT-4-powered AI) for visual assistance via live video. Directly comparable end-user app and target audience as RightHear, with RightHear integrating with Be My Eyes as a complementary tool.
- ClickAndGo Wayfinding: ClickAndGo Wayfinding provides indoor digital wayfinding and accessibility solutions for venues including hospitals and airports, with features for visually impaired users. Comparable venue customer base and accessibility feature set.
- Aira: Aira provides on-demand visual interpretation for blind and low-vision users via live agents and AI, accessed through a smartphone app. Direct competitor to RightHear in the assistive-navigation/wayfinding category for the visually impaired, although Aira is more service/agent-driven while RightHear is beacon-driven.
Emerging players
- Ariadne GPS: Ariadne GPS is an accessible GPS and map app for blind and visually impaired users with detailed indoor/outdoor navigation. Comparable end-user audience and assistive-navigation category, though with less venue-side hardware focus.
- accessiBe: accessiBe provides AI-driven web accessibility solutions and is a current distribution partner of RightHear. Adjacent in the broader accessibility market (digital rather than physical) and now an ecosystem ally with shared go-to-market.
- Mappedin: Mappedin provides indoor mapping and wayfinding software for venues such as malls, airports, and stadiums. Comparable venue-side technology and customer base; less specialization in accessibility but an emerging player in the broader indoor-mapping space RightHear operates in.
Broad incumbents
- Microsoft Soundscape: Microsoft Soundscape was an AI-powered audio navigation app for blind users (now discontinued). Comparable technology and audience; serves as evidence of big-tech interest in the category that could be reactivated and threaten niche players like RightHear.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
RightHear social profiles
Digital presenceRightHear compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
RightHear financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
RightHear leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
RightHear funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds4 records
Investors3 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
RightHear M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about RightHear
What does RightHear do?
RightHear sells an indoor audio wayfinding and accessibility system to venue operators, consisting of Bluetooth Low Energy beacons (Accessibility Spots), camera-readable markers, and a venue management dashboard. A free companion smartphone app for blind and visually impaired end users (iOS/Android) provides real-time 360-degree audio orientation by reading descriptions aloud via Text-to-Speech at venues equipped with the system.
Is RightHear a public or private company?
RightHear is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was RightHear founded?
RightHear was founded in 2015. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is RightHear based?
RightHear is headquartered in Ra'anana, Israel, in the Middle East region.
How does RightHear make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Venue System Licensing / Hardware Sales are the primary driver. The others are free End-User App.
Who are RightHear's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are GoodMaps, Lazarillo, Wayfindr, Be My Eyes, ClickAndGo Wayfinding and Aira. Emerging players are Ariadne GPS, accessiBe and Mappedin. Microsoft Soundscape is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does RightHear have an API?
No public API is recorded for RightHear.
What industry is RightHear in?
RightHear's product category is Assistive Accessibility Software / Indoor Wayfinding Technology. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAFAKAC, Assistive Hearing & Communication Access (Captioning, Hearing Support, Transcription).