007 | "Report Potholes to Your Government With This App" (Beto at Irys)

Jul 4

Written By Phil Michaels

Today’s guest on the “Phil with Forbes 30” podcast is Beto Altamirano – CEO of Irys

Forbes List: USA
Year: 2018
Category: Social Entrepreneurs

In this episode,

Beto Altamirano starts this discussion with the importance of being vulnerable and admitting that COVID-19 is a challenge. He shares that even his 90-year old grandmother hadn’t had any experience with something like this pandemic. Beto speaks about his anger, frustration and finally finding solace in learning hacks for a better life including meditation. Through meditation and mindfulness he is working on what he hopes is becoming a better entrepreneurial leader.
His life is influenced by being raised in two cultures and his father being deported to Mexico. That life changing event got Beto interested in political science, graduating from the University of Texas at Austin and even working with the U.S. Senator John Kerry.
Through government work experience Beto saw the need for creating a technology platform that enabled communication between local municipal governments and its residents.
In 2017 he co-founded Irys (formerly known as City Flag) that developed the first social network for 311 services (customer service for government), which allows residents to easily report issues to local government.
Today, Irys is in more than 15 cities, including the city of San Antonio. There are over 30,000 users on the platform and they have reported over 70,000 city requests on the app.
Throughout the interview Beto explains to Phil:
- His interest in social justice issues and has noted that this technology app can help bring awareness to governments to the digital divide in this country and globally.
- There are improvements coming in the app to give citizens more choice with how they can stimulate and change their community.
- How the app currently works with a citizen reporting a problem to local authorities; how the correct government offices learn of the issues the public wants to report.
- A new tool in the app for COVID-19 screening; how to report large social gatherings and additional features.
- A personal satisfaction that Beto’s tech platform can help the world especially given the COVID-19 situation.
- Beto also shares that if you can connect with someone in your local government about his app and this podcast, he will give your community a one-month free pilot.

“Under 30 Seconds Round”

What is the book you’ve gifted more often than any other book, and why?
- The New Localism by Bruce Katz and Jeremy Nowak
What’s one of the best investments and one of the worst investments you’ve ever made and why?
- Best - Sweat equity in my company
- Worst - Traveling to unnecessary conferences
What’s the most impactful thing you do in your Morning routine and most impactful thing you do in your Evening routine?
- AM - Staying away from my phone for at least 30-minutes when I wake up, exercising, meditating, getting a healthy, balanced breakfast.
- PM - I try to wind down around 8 or 9 pm. Relax, read a book, refresh and spend time with my wife.
Pretend you won the Peter Thiel Fellowship and you were going to get money to start a business instead of go to college, what’s the very first thing you’d do to start a new business?
- Surround yourself with folks that can help you grow.
- Travel to universities that focus on areas you need; meet with leaders in those communities and start formulating a plan of action and start teaming up with the right people.
What’s something you never knew you needed?
- A head massage tool.
- Traveling - learning about different cultures.

In the REVIEW SECTION, please let me know…

The city / country you’re tuning in from!
How the story has inspired you! And, your favorite part of this episode!
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GUEST INFO: Beto Altamirano – CEO of Irys

CONTACT: On Instagram @betoaltamirano
WEBSITE: http://heyirys.com
COUPON CODE DISCOUNT for audience: Anyone that works in government or recommends a local government will get a ONE MONTH FREE PILOT for your community if you say you heard of us through "Phil's podcast"

HOST INFO: Phil Michaels