Minds behind the Map: A conversation with Luis, CEO of SurplusMap

In our "Minds Behind the Map" series, we sit down with Luis de Ita Maubant, the visionary CEO and founder of SurplusMap. With over two decades of experience in SaaS, sustainability, and commercial strategy, Luis shares his insights on leadership, the importance of data accessibility, and the role of diversity in driving innovation.

Listening as a leadership principle

Luis emphasizes the significance of active listening in his leadership approach. He believes that taking the time to truly hear his colleagues fosters an environment where brilliance can thrive. "One of the things I learned from my job as a CEO is to spend a little time quiet, be able to listen to my colleagues' brilliance, and be able to empower them to take their ideas to reality," he shares.

How SurplusMap is democratizing data for the green transition

The inception of SurplusMap was driven by Luis's recognition of the disparities in data accessibility. He notes that while vast amounts of data exist, they are often available only to a select few. "If we are to take the green transition seriously and make a real change, we should enable many different people to be part of the decisions," Luis asserts. SurplusMap aims to bridge this gap by providing tools that make data more accessible and actionable for a broader audience.

Embracing diversity and humble ambition

At the heart of SurplusMap's culture is a commitment to diversity and a balance between being humble and big ambitions. Luis takes pride in leading a team composed of individuals from various backgrounds, age groups, and capabilities. "It's super inspiring for me to wake up every day and come to work because I know I'm working with great people that I can trust," he remarks. This diverse team embodies the company's ethos of being humble in daily interactions while harboring ambitious goals for global impact.

Applying Norway's EV success globally

Norway's success in EV adoption serves as a blueprint for SurplusMap's global aspirations. Luis envisions taking the lessons learned from Norway's experience and applying them worldwide to foster cleaner cities and a more sustainable economic system. "We have a very big ambition to take one of the biggest success stories in transition, which is the case of Norway as the cradle of EV adoption and infrastructure, and take those amazing lessons learned to the rest of the world," he explains.

Watch the full interview

To gain deeper insights into Luis's vision and the mission of SurplusMap, watch the full interview below.

Stay tuned for more conversations with the minds driving innovation at SurplusMap!