Miami Startup Tackles Urban Heat with Innovative Technology
On a hot summer afternoon in Miami, stepping outside can be quite a contrast. One block may feel refreshing in the shade, while just a few steps away, the heat can be intense. This difference, even when the temperature readings seem the same, is what a local startup, FortyGuard, aims to address.
Founded in Miami, FortyGuard has recently expanded its operations significantly, now employing 26 team members across nine countries. Despite this growth, the heart of their mission remains in Miami.
Jay Sadiq, the company’s founder and CEO, shared, “Miami was our starting point. From here, we’ve grown to reach not just across the U.S., but soon, we hope to cross over to Europe as well.”
FortyGuard is focused on creating Large Temperature Models (LTMs), which are advanced AI tools that help understand urban heat better. Instead of general weather forecasts, their technology delivers temperature readings around two meters above ground, providing detailed insights about how heat varies from one part of the city to another.
This unique approach has caught the attention of major tech companies like NVIDIA and has led to collaborations with giants such as Microsoft, Google, and AWS.
Sadiq believes that these partnerships go beyond just technology. “If we can help cities become cooler, reduce carbon footprints, and use energy more wisely while enhancing comfort for residents, then we’re using AI for a positive impact,” he explained.
Commercial success has followed as well; recently, FortyGuard saw a 50% growth in its U.S. user base, largely thanks to its free Temperature Dashboard.
The use of their technology has expanded into areas that were once unexpected. Homebuyers are using it to compare neighborhoods, engineers are evaluating infrastructure projects, asset managers are assessing climate risks, and parents are searching for cooler locations for their children with health concerns.
Sadiq pointed out, “I don’t care about temperature readings high above the ground. What matters is the temperature where I live and work.”
This practical perspective has opened doors in three main sectors: urban planning, energy, and business. Urban planners use the platform to better understand heat islands, while energy firms are looking at how localized temperature data can guide where to place data centers and manage their energy needs.
Sadiq noted, “Building a data center in a hot area means higher energy demands and a larger carbon footprint over time.”
Interest in their technology is also growing among insurers, real estate companies, and financial institutions aiming to assess neighborhood-level climate risks more accurately.
Looking ahead, FortyGuard plans to broaden its APIs, allowing developers to integrate temperature data into their own solutions. The company is also gearing up for a global hackathon involving 5,000 developers while continuing to forge new partnerships within the tech community.
For Sadiq, the end goal is clear: to make temperature intelligence as easy to access as daily weather forecasts, while ensuring those forecasts are more beneficial for everyone who uses them.
