A body remains in motion unless an external force stops it. And for Juanfe Cifuentes (Colombia, 1990), nothing and no one stops him. Inertia has led this industrial engineer to study an MBA, project management programs and a bootcamp in emerging technologies; to spend 10 years developing talent and creativity in a major company like Apple; and, since 2019, to create his own project.

As co-founder and CTO of Siverus, Juanfe develops technological solutions to address security challenges in companies. And his principles, will continue to keep him in a constant movement towards innovation.

TB: What is the purpose of your project?

JC: The purpose of Siverus is to turn workplace safety on its head. We want to use IoT technology to ensure that PPE is being used correctly in real time, whether it’s a hard hat, boots, goggles or a harness. Workplace accidents are not just measured in money, they also have a huge impact on people and their families, and that’s what we want to avoid. We want to get ahead of the accident, to make sure that employees are well protected, to reduce the risk and the consequences. It’s not just about complying with regulations, it’s about optimizing safety resources and, above all, protecting lives in high-risk environments.

TB: Where are you at and where do you see it in two years?

JC: Right now, Siverus is in a growth phase and we are expanding our market in Catalonia. We already have clients in high-risk sectors such as the manufacturing industry and the electrical sector. In two years, I imagine a bigger team, consolidated and growing even more. The exciting thing is to see that companies really want to protect their employees and not just comply with regulations. Our next step is to open the product to more markets, starting with Asia and Latin America. We want to be a reference in intelligent security.

TB: A good idea you’ve had.

JC: To take the plunge and take the risk. It wasn’t easy. You don’t always have a clear head, but you have to do it even with fear and always with courage. This project has made me grow and has taken me to my own limits, and therefore I have been able to decide where I want to place them. Besides, everything that has to work has to be tested. Fortunately, I was able to take the idea to an MVP and prove that it worked. The truth is that entrepreneurship is not an innovative idea, but if you find the ecosystem where you fit and that becomes your support and fuel, then that is the idea that can make a difference, both for you and for all those that your project can impact.

TB: What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced?

JC: Without a doubt, the biggest challenges are in the people. Managing expectations and maintaining good communication is something I try to get better at every day. With a project as demanding as Siverus, this challenge is getting bigger and bigger. Working in a company that integrates customers and people with hardware and software means leading a diverse team, full of people with their own dreams and expectations. Leading them only makes you the one who helps them find their place and achieve their goals. Not easy, but rewarding.

Technologically? My challenge has been to learn not to rush. I have had to understand that it is better to wait for the client to request new functions. My technical side always wants to keep moving forward, looking for improvements and solutions, but the hardest and most important thing sometimes is to know how to listen and give space for the real needs to be expressed.

TB: The best advice you have been given.

JC: Without a doubt, the best advice I’ve received is “shut up, listen, ask, listen, shut up and listen again.” It’s about understanding that every interaction is a unique moment and it’s important to let go of all preconceived ideas to be ready to learn again, whether it’s from your environment, your family, or your clients. Only then, you can ask questions that bring value, and perhaps, you can contribute in a meaningful way. In the case of Siverus, this approach has been key for us to create a stable, scalable and truly useful solution that brings real value on a day-to-day basis. In the end, it’s about being there, listening carefully and responding with solutions that make a positive impact.

TB: A role-model.

JC: Joan Mérida, co-founder of Siverus. I met him at school. He didn’t finish it, but he always showed incredible perseverance. He didn’t fit into the system, but that didn’t stop him. He started as a salesman and worked his way up, always with the goal of really helping his customers and his company. He has always been able to find what is really important, and now he leads a whole area in a multinational company. He has a great position, and he got there by genuinely caring for his customers and his co-workers. I think that’s the key. That thing really matter to you. She inspires me to keep going even when it seems too hard, to learn, to fit in when it doesn’t seem possible, to wait for the right time, and to pursue what I want. Joan taught me that sometimes being a little intense and believing in what you do makes all the difference.

TB: A technology that will shape the future.

JC: Information technology will be key in defining the type of content we consume and what we consider important in the world. This will influence people’s decisions in the future, especially with the incorporation of artificial intelligence (AI) and augmented reality (AR). I envision a future where screens as we know them disappear, and our interaction with technology becomes much more natural and immersive, allowing us to connect in completely new ways with our surroundings. Beyond this, what I really hope for is a technology that allows us to generate energy in a sustainable way. I recently read an article that talked about transforming waste to build on the Moon and Mars, and that got me thinking about how information technologies can make us think that it is crucial to recycle on the Moon, but not yet a priority to do so on Earth. I think these kinds of paradoxes and how we approach our priorities will profoundly shape the future.

TB: Face-to-face or remote?

JC: Mixed and on demand! I believe in the value of face-to-face teamwork, in the connections that are created and in the dynamics that emerge when we live together. Even so, in our company we work mostly remotely and asynchronously, as several of our members are out of the country, and this has worked perfectly. I believe that the mixed environment is fundamental to promote work-life balance and keep people motivated. The combination of both ways of working allows us to be efficient without losing the human contact that we value so much.

TB: A startup or company.

JC: Bubuclean.eco. They work with a lot of dedication repairing and cleaning baby accessories: strollers, bags, clothes, clips, and many other things. I believe that many families need baby products that are top quality, but also with that touch of care and safety that the second-hand market doesn’t always offer. And that is exactly what Bubu brings: a commitment to quality and to the little details.

TB: What makes you disconnect?

JC: Spending time with my son Bruno, he’s always in a good mood and is a super fun person. He’s lovely, so we take the opportunity to go for a walk in the woods with our dog Coco. The two of them are what really allow me to disconnect and enjoy the moment with mindfulness. Before, my way of disconnecting was to go out on a motorcycle, but times change and now this is what I enjoy the most.

TB: A book to recommend.

JC: There is a book that really impacted me: “Never Split the Difference” by Chris Voss. He was an FBI negotiator in hostage situations, and the way he shares his experience is a blast. It teaches you how to handle high-pressure scenarios, with negotiation techniques that not only work in the workplace, but also in everyday life. I highly recommend it, because beyond learning to negotiate, you learn to communicate better, to listen, and to find creative solutions even in situations that seem impossible. It is a book that changes the way you see conflicts.

TB: A series, movie or song that defines your moment in life.

JC: “Ted Lasso.” The series has something very special to me, I love how it addresses leadership and empathy in an environment as competitive as sports. I think it reflects a lot of what I try to apply in my day to day life, especially the idea that leadership is not just about winning, but how to motivate your team, support them and bring out the best in everyone. Ted inspires me to connect and care about people, and that’s the energy I want to carry in me.

TB: A recipe, a restaurant.

JC: Kyoto Restaurant in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, they have brutal Japanese food, also the bravas at “ErreKa” in Sant Cugat del Vallès. And as a recipe, the poke we prepare at home.

TB: A place in the world.

JC: For me, the ideal place is the driver’s seat. I love the feeling of being on the move of going somewhere, even if I don’t have a fixed destination. If I had to pick one place in the world, it would be any road, because what I really enjoy is the journey itself, that freedom of being able to go anywhere.

TB: Where would you invest 100k?

JC: I would invest in education, especially in the training of the new generations. I believe that the key to a better future lies in preparing young people with skills and knowledge that will enable them to face the challenges of tomorrow. In fact, our project is also about educating people to work, to protect themselves better and to work more safely.

TB: If you weren’t an entrepreneur…

JC: I think, if I wasn’t an entrepreneur, I’d like to go into manual labor for a while. I love the idea of building, sanding, painting… maybe working in a woodshop. In fact, one of the projects I’m most proud of is the shoe rack we have at home. I love being able to create something with my own hands, it’s something that fulfills me and allows me to disconnect.

TB: What is Tech Barcelona for you?

JC: For me, Tech Barcelona is a community that connects you with people who are passionate about innovation. It’s where you can learn, collaborate and share experiences. As a new member, I am very excited to learn more about the ecosystem and connect with inspiring people. Also, I think the AfterWork is an excellent opportunity to establish good relationships in a more relaxed environment.