Who says glasses can't be edgy? Warby Parker out-innovates tech giants

February 15, 2015

When many think about innovation, big names like Apple or Google may come to mind. However, the company touted as the most innovative company of 2015 isn't any of those tech giants; it's eyeglass maker Warby Parker.

Fast Company's widely followed ranking touted the e-commerce company as the "first great made-on-the-Internet brand," and the company is slowly but surely earning a reputation as both an edgy brand and disruptive force.

Warby Parker co-founder Dave Gilboa told "Squawk on the Street" he and co-founder Neil Blumenthal saw an industry that hadn't been innovating. The two met years ago as students at University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School, where they envisioned eyewear as a viable business model.

"Innovation is about thinking differently and bringing new ideas to life," Gilboa said. "We thought there was an opportunity to sell glasses online and that enabled us to sell a product that normally sells for $500, offer it for $95."