Synthetically useful radical thiol-ene reactions can be initiated by visible-light irradiation in the presence of an organic photocatalyst, 9-mesityl-10-methylacridinum tetrafluoroborate. The key thiyl radical intermediates are generated upon quenching of the photoexcited catalyst with a variety of thiols. The success of this method requires only the use of near-stoichiometric levels of alkene coupling partners. Using these highly efficient metal-free conditions, thiol-ene reactions between carbohydrates and peptides can be accomplished in excellent yields.