76 TIME April 11/April 18, 2022
INNOVATORSWYZE
SMARTER HOMES
Henry Ford didn’t invent the automobile,
but he did make the technology more
affordable, ushering in a new age of
mobility. That’s what Wyze aims to do for
smart-home gadgets. It added 30 new
products to its lineup this year, including
security cameras, video doorbells, smart
thermostats, and more, many of which
cost under $50. Wyze’s 6 million users
control more than 15 million devices,
and the company’s lineup regularly
beats more expensive rivals for industry
awards. “We believe that quality smart-
home technology should be accessible to
everyone,” says CEO Yun Zhang.
—Jared LindzonGUILD EDUCATIONUnlocking
opportunity
Guild Education is trying
to build a more equitable
workforce by connecting
workers to courses that help
them excel. Over 310,000
employees at companies like
Walmart, Disney, and Chi-
potle used Guild for educa-
tion, coaching, or career sup-
port in 2021, with student
growth up 60% since early- Guild learners, mostly
people of color and first-gen-
eration college students, see
higher wage increases and
more promotions than peers,
and graduate debt-free—
their employers pay uni-
versities, which in turn pay
Guild. “If we solve the chal-
lenges for those diverse pop-
ulations,” says Guild CEO
Rachel Carlson, “we build
a more diverse America that
has a chance at the middle
class.” —Katie Reilly