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Devin: What is your superpower?
Miguel: Resiliency is about being able to stay committed to something I truly believe in, even when there are reasons to doubt it.
The accelerating development of AI presents enormous potential to solve urban challenges, from easing traffic congestion to enhancing public safety. Yet, as powerful as AI has become, it requires quality data to work effectively, and for cities, much of that necessary data simply doesn’t exist—or, when it does, it sacrifices privacy to obtain it. This is where Surge, co-founded by Miguel Jaramillo, is making a difference.
“Our system is privacy-first by design,” Miguel explained during today’s episode. “We measure patterns, not people.” Unlike traditional solutions that rely on invasive technologies like cameras, facial recognition, or license plate tracking, Surge’s cutting-edge sensing and edge computing platforms collect anonymized, real-time data to improve urban infrastructure while protecting individual privacy.
Surge is already making a tangible impact. Their first deployment is underway in New Orleans, where they aim to envelope the French Quarter with their data platform. Miguel highlighted the significance of their real-time data, noting that cities and stakeholders ranging from departments of transportation to companies in the autonomous vehicle space stand to benefit. “We deliver a real-time, anonymized data stream...not only cities need this, but enterprises and intelligence systems, too,” he said.
One of the most exciting aspects of Surge’s work is its potential to revolutionize urban traffic management. Using their platform, cities can optimize traffic flow, reduce congestion, and even cut carbon emissions by keeping vehicles moving instead of idling in jams. The company’s privacy-first design builds trust while offering solutions that deliver real benefits to urban communities.
Surge represents both a technological and ethical shift in how cities use data. By keeping their focus on patterns rather than people, Miguel and his team are demonstrating how innovation can provide both security and respect for privacy. They’re forging a path toward smarter, more efficient cities.
Miguel and his team are also inviting everyone to be a part of their journey. Surge is raising capital through a Wefunder campaign, allowing everyday investors to own a piece of the company at its early stages. He shared with me how passionately he believes in democratizing access to investments in impactful companies like his.
Visit Surge’s Wefunder page to learn more or, as Miguel noted, join their community of supporters. “We want everyday citizens to have an opportunity to own a piece of something meaningful.”
tl;dr:
Miguel Jaramillo’s Surge is revolutionizing urban infrastructure with privacy-first data to improve traffic and safety.
Surge’s technology avoids surveillance by collecting anonymized, real-time patterns instead of personal information.
Their first deployment in New Orleans promises to optimize traffic flow and benefit autonomous systems.
Miguel highlights resiliency as his superpower, driven by an unwavering belief in Surge’s mission.
Surge is raising capital via Wefunder, inviting everyday investors to join their game-changing vision.
How to Develop Resiliency As a Superpower
Miguel identifies resiliency as his superpower, emphasizing that it’s not about being tough all the time but rather staying committed to a goal, even when faced with obstacles. “For me,” he said, “resiliency is about being able to stay committed to something I truly believe in, even when there are reasons to doubt it.” This steadfast persistence has been vital in navigating the uncertainties and challenges of developing Surge.
Miguel shared an anecdote from Surge’s early days when capital was tight and partnerships weren’t materializing as expected. On paper, the business model made sense, but in practice, progress was slower than anticipated. He described waking up early and staying up late, feeling a constant sense of friction. Despite these challenges, Miguel’s unwavering belief in the value of Surge’s mission kept him moving forward. That determination enabled Surge to reach key deployment milestones and attract early investors.
Tips for Developing Resiliency:
Stay Anchored to Your Beliefs: Identify what you truly value and remind yourself of it during difficult moments.
Avoid Emotional Decisions: Don’t make permanent choices based on temporary feelings or setbacks—give ideas time to evolve.
Accept the Process: Understand that challenges and delays are natural parts of building something new.
Focus on Long-Term Impact: Keep your eyes on the bigger purpose behind your work to remain motivated.
By following Miguel’s example and advice, you can make resiliency a skill. With practice and effort, you could make it a superpower that enables you to do more good in the world.
Remember, however, that research into success suggests that building on your own superpowers is more important than creating new ones or overcoming weaknesses. You do you!
Guest Profile
Miguel Jaramillo (he/him):
Co-Founder & CEO, Surge Holdings Inc. (”Surge”)
About Surge Holdings Inc. (”Surge”): Surge builds the infrastructure that helps cities run better and gives AI systems the real-world data they need, without tracking people. As AI moves into the physical world like streets, traffic, and logistics, it needs a constant stream of real-time information, and that layer does not exist today. We install small, non-camera sensors on light poles and rooftops to capture how cities actually operate, turning movement and activity into simple, usable data. Cities use it to improve safety and traffic, and companies use it to power smarter systems. It is a shared network where every location makes the system more valuable, creating a new foundation for how AI works in the real world.
Website: surgenetworks.ai
Other URL: wefunder.com/surgenetworks
Biographical Information: Miguel Jaramillo is Co-Founder and CEO of Surge Holdings Inc., a Public Benefit Corporation building real-time, privacy-first data infrastructure for the next generation of cities, enterprises, and intelligent systems. Recognizing the growing gap between AI and access to continuous real-world data, Miguel is leading Surge’s mission to create a shared, scalable infrastructure layer that captures and processes live, anonymized data at the edge, enabling safer, more efficient, and responsive environments. By integrating with and enhancing existing systems, Surge unlocks new value across the built world while reducing fragmentation and aligning public and private sector needs. With over 20 years of experience in infrastructure, transportation, and public-private partnerships, Miguel has a track record of deploying complex, real-world systems and now focuses on scaling Surge by aligning cities, capital, and technology. Surge is defining a new category of infrastructure, delivering both financial returns and measurable public benefit at the foundation of a more connected and intelligent world.
LinkedIn Profile: linkedin.com/in/miguel-jaramillo-640b0090
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