# El poder del sentido común | Guillermo Jaramillo | TEDxUniversidad EAFIT Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jycCqvHaGA Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/8jycCqvHaGA Generated: 2026-01-12T21:02:58.237+00:00 --- ## Quick Overview Guillermo Jaramillo recounts his career pivot from an engineering student to a FinTech executive, emphasizing how realizing the common sense that technology, like the early Macintosh computers, was fundamentally about making complex things simple, inspired him to leave formal education to pursue building companies that simplify financial transactions through technology, culminating in the creation of DataiFX and Canal Clima. **Key Points:** - Jaramillo received a Macintosh 512K computer in 1990 while studying Electrical Engineering at a prestigious university, which sparked his early interest in technology. - He realized that the essence of technology, exemplified by the Macintosh, was making complex tasks simple, leading him to drop out of university to pursue this understanding. - He became a technology salesperson, then an architect of data bases, before finally becoming a seller of technology solutions. - In 2008, during a climate crisis (consecutive winters in Colombia), he and his father decided to create Canal Clima, a company installing meteorological stations connected via the internet. - In 2016, he co-founded DataiFX, a FinTech company that facilitated the first electronic bank transaction in Colombia, aiming to simplify bank accounts and savings. - He left his role as president of DataiFX after five years because the company culture was not compatible with his desire to help companies simplify their structures based on common sense. - Jaramillo now works as a Senior Advisor at EAFIT University, helping students and companies integrate technology and data science. ![Screenshot at 00:50: The speaker stands on the red circular TED stage with the large TEDx Universidad EAFIT backdrop behind him, illustrating the setting for his personal story about career transformation.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/8jycCqvHaGA/00-00-50.jpg) **Context:** Guillermo Jaramillo shares a personal narrative detailing his career trajectory, which was heavily influenced by an early encounter with personal computing technology and a subsequent shift in perspective regarding the role of technology in simplifying complex processes, particularly in finance and environmental monitoring. The talk contrasts formal education expectations with the practical, common-sense application of technology he pursued. ## Detailed Analysis Guillermo Jaramillo recounts his journey, beginning in 1990 when he received a Macintosh 512K computer while studying Electrical Engineering. This device showed him that the true power of technology was simplifying complex operations, which contradicted the rigid, formal education path he was on. This realization led him to drop out of university, a decision he initially felt he couldn't share with his parents. He then pursued roles in technology sales and database architecture. Later, around 2008, in response to severe climate issues (consecutive winters), he co-founded Canal Clima with his father, which installed internet-connected meteorological stations across Colombia to provide data to farmers and others, proving that technology could solve practical, real-world problems. In 2016, he co-founded DataiFX, a FinTech company that executed Colombia's first electronic bank transaction, aiming to simplify banking for millions. However, he eventually left his presidential role because the corporate structure conflicted with his core belief: that complexity should be simplified based on common sense. He states that his experience in DataiFX showed him that large companies often resist necessary simplification. He concludes by sharing that he now works as a Senior Advisor at EAFIT University, helping to mentor students and companies, particularly in adapting to digital finance and agro-meteorology. ### Early Inspiration and Career Pivot - Received a Macintosh 512K in 1990, realizing technology's power to simplify complexity - Dropped out of Electrical Engineering at a prestigious university, leading to an initial fear of telling his parents. ### First Ventures - Co-founded Canal Clima around 2008 to combat severe local winters by deploying internet-connected meteorological stations for farmers - Co-founded DataiFX (FinTech) in 2016, which facilitated Colombia's first electronic bank transaction. ### Corporate Conflict and Realization - Left DataiFX presidency because the corporate culture prioritized maintaining complexity over his 'common sense' approach - The company was successfully growing, managing funds exceeding $300 million and working with major Colombian banks. ### The Lesson Learned - The common sense that drove him—simplifying complexity—was not fully embraced in the corporate environment, leading him to seek new paths. ### Current Role - Now serves as a Senior Advisor at EAFIT University, guiding students and companies in areas like digital finance and agro-meteorology. ![Screenshot at 00:07: Sponsors and partners of TEDx Universidad EAFIT are displayed on screen, including mdp, Termox, Hatsu, Manata, Literal, la combi, Feria Escolar Medellín Unica, Sites, and B2Chat.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/8jycCqvHaGA/00-00-07.jpg) ![Screenshot at 00:49: Speaker Guillermo Jaramillo stands on stage, gesturing to illustrate the size and complexity of the early Macintosh computers he references.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/8jycCqvHaGA/00-00-49.jpg) ![Screenshot at 01:46: A wide shot showing the speaker on the red circular stage with the large TEDx Universidad EAFIT branding visible on the backdrop.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/8jycCqvHaGA/00-01-46.jpg) ![Screenshot at 06:06: The speaker uses hand gestures to convey the idea of a powerful, unexpected event, describing the strong winds that ruined his father's avocado orchard.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/8jycCqvHaGA/00-06-06.jpg) ![Screenshot at 11:14: The speaker is seen on stage, using hand gestures to emphasize the concept of a 'simple bank' that his clients needed.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/8jycCqvHaGA/00-11-14.jpg)