'For over a decade I worked as a mining contractor in Chile. My world was heavy-machinery, sensors, maintenance, working not just to fix things when they broke, but to prevent them breaking in the first place. I learned that staying reactive meant you were always playing catch-up; instead, we needed to be proactive, predictive, even visionary.
One day I thought: what if I could build a “crystal ball” for mining equipment? One machine became the test-bed. We collected sensor data, monitored machine health, maintained equipment frequently, and moved from purely reactive fixes to planned, predictive maintenance. The results were clear — less downtime, fewer surprises, smarter decisions. That one machine turned into a full-site rollout.
Realising the potential, I founded IMMEE: a startup that builds AI-powered CMMS (Computerised Maintenance Management System) specially for the mining and earth-moving equipment sector. The company is built on a decade of real-world maintenance data from major mining fleets — that’s our edge. On our website we describe it as: “Unmatched Predictive Maintenance Driven by AI… Intelligent Maintenance for Mining & Earth-moving Equipment”. Immee
I struck an agreement with my former company to gain the data access needed to build the system, a strategic move that allowed me to scale beyond one machine and one site. Ever since, my guiding principle has been: work smarter, not harder.
Life Between Mines, Meetings and Software
A lot of my time is spent travelling for business to a mix of conferences, fairs, network events. Next stop: a mining fair in Las Vegas, then Munich, then back to Chile. Staying organised is key, and travel doesn’t phase me. When meeting potential clients or partners, I focus on building real relationships and looking for win-win collaborations, not just sales.
London is my base and it’s perfect for this industry. A great hub for mining-industry contacts: owners, suppliers, manufacturers all have a presence here. So many events here, so many chances to meet the right people. I love how down-to-earth this sector is, you can meet the head of a huge company like Caterpillar and it feels like you’re catching up with a friend.
Finding My Place in London
My journey started when I did my master’s in France. I already knew I wanted to move to Europe and then I visited London and fell for the energy: the buzz, the networking opportunities, the sense that things happen just by being here. I felt an instant connection and found like-minded people who became both friends and collaborators. Strangely enough, I felt less like a foreigner in London than I did in France.
Since moving here I don’t even own a car. Walking is my ‘spare time’ activity — the green spaces, the rain, the city on foot all work for me. And yes, I’ll admit it: I like the rain. I’ve done a full London winter and I didn’t mind it. Outside engineering and business I play guitar, and regularly jam with a friend. In fact, we’re currently on the hunt for a bass player, if any musicians are reading this! I’m also a Dad, my little one is nine months old so any tiny bit of spare time I have goes to them.
Safety, Strategy & Scale: The Road Ahead for IMMEE
I’ve always been a strong advocate for safety, especially in mining. My focus has been on open-pit mining (which I believe is one of the safest mining types) because once safety is in place, everything else can flow. That mindset carries through the product: IMMEE’s software doesn’t just manage data, it helps ensure equipment is used safely, maintained carefully, and failures are predicted before they become dangerous or costly.
In terms of business direction, we’ve decided to skip the direct-to-consumer route and instead focus on working with dealers. Dealers in the mining equipment sector are ready, willing, and able to adopt a tool of this caliber and that ties perfectly into the “work smarter, not harder” ethos. Growth is fast if you plug into the right channel.
Financially, I’ve self-funded everything so far. That gives me freedom: no external pressure, no investors pushing for premature growth. If you’re able to do the same, I’d highly recommend it as it keeps your vision intact.
My ambition is to scale — not recklessly, but smartly. Before going for the big players, I’m making sure testing and validation are in place. The data-rich history of IMMEE gives us the basis to bring value early, and we’re ready to help open mining fleets around the world stay safe, efficient, and predictable.
I’m fully devoted to this project. I might be a “lone wolf” in the startup world, but I never feel alone. The community, the network, and the mission keep me grounded and motivated. With IMMEE, I’m turning years in the field into smarter maintenance systems that make a real difference.'
As always a huge thank you to Diego for your time telling your own story!
To find out more about IMMEE visit their site:
