Meet Mateo Argüello | Explorer & Entrepreneur

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mateo Argüello and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mateo, how does your business help the community?
Modern Explorer is a company with an ambitious mission to promote scientific discovery and exploration in neglected fields of science. The company is currently in the process of establishing a 501c3 to further its goals and meet its mission.

There are many fields of science that are often overlooked and do not receive the resources they need to make significant progress. At Modern Explorer, we believe that there are many exciting phenomena that are on the cusp of new discoveries and can expand human understanding in ways we cannot yet imagine.

We aim to reignite the passion for discovery that we feel has been lost in modern times. It is important for people to realize that there are still countless mysteries and discoveries waiting to be made, and that they can be a part of that process themselves. Whether you are a scientist or not, everyone has the potential to be a citizen scientist and make valuable contributions to the scientific community.

One of our primary goals at Modern Explorer is to empower people to recognize their potential as discoverers. We believe that by encouraging people to explore their surroundings and recognize potential discoveries, we can help highlight important scientific findings that may have been overlooked or neglected.

We also believe that focusing on aiding currently neglected fields and projects within local communities will have a large impact not only on knowledge obtained but on the public as a whole. By giving communities the ability to work with local projects in their area, we can drive public awareness and aid in scientific discovery.

Overall, our mission is to promote scientific discovery and exploration in neglected fields of science. We believe that by empowering individuals and communities to recognize their potential as discoverers, we can make significant progress towards unlocking the mysteries of our world and expanding human understanding.

What should our readers know about your business?
I started my entrepreneurial journey after serving in the Marines Corps. I returned to Ecuador, my childhood home, with the intention of importing textiles and raising enough capital to fund expeditions into the Amazon Rainforest. However, starting a business in a foreign country with a different business culture proved to be incredibly challenging. Although my first attempt at business was an absolute failure, it was a valuable learning experience.

After returning to Colorado, I gained experience by assisting with various businesses. My ultimate goal has always been to gain the necessary resources to explore and discover. This drive led me to establish Modern Explorer LLC, a company that provides services and products to aid in new discoveries.

At Modern Explorer, we are committed to developing equipment that allows us to see wildlife on a whole new level, potentially even discovering new, previously unknown species. Our vision is to produce cameras that can capture animal behaviors without intruding on their natural habitats. We are developing cameras disguised as animals, rocks, and trees, providing a less intrusive method than traditional trail cams. Our products will make it possible to capture behaviors never before seen and share them with a wider audience within state wildlife institutions and schools.

We recognize the need for specialized equipment to discover never-before-seen behaviors in wildlife, equipment that is typically only available to large documentary productions such as BBC and Nat Geo. Our goal is to make these specialized products more widely accessible. We are thrilled to put our vision into action, with prototypes already in development.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Sure, here’s an improved version of the text:

As someone who has spent months exploring the wilderness, my answer to this question is pretty straightforward. But before embarking on an adventure into the depths of the mountains, I would definitely take the person to Glenn Eyrie, located north of Garden of the Gods, to see William J Palmer’s Castle. This hidden gem is surrounded by rocks as impressive as those found in Garden of the Gods, and it’s home to an abundance of wildlife, including deer, eagles, turkeys, and rabbits, that roam around fearlessly.

Heading up the hill, we would come across a mountainside known locally as “the scar,” which was sheared off through mining gypsum for the building of the Air Force Academy. Here, in a bighorn sheep sanctuary, we would witness one of the most successful herds in the state, with hundreds of them grazing on nearby cliffs.

Once we were done with our visit to Glenn Eyrie and “the scar,” we would grab minimal gear and, if the season was right (late spring), head into the mountains to explore old historical paths that have almost faded away. This would include visiting an old uranium mine, where specialized equipment is deteriorating away like ancient relics, and French Creek, deep in the forests east of Pikes Peak, where we would find an old two-story cabin that one of the first attendants to run Barr Camp would flee to when authorities came up the mountain to arrest them because they were outlaws.

After our mountain adventures, we would jump into my Jeep and drive up Old Stage Rd that eventually connects to High Gold Camp Rd, the original shortline railroad that can be found on the Monopoly board. Taking a side road that leads to Bull Park, close to the timberline on Sheep Mountain, we would come across a beautiful marsh and a large rocky mountain of white rock that looks almost sedimentary on first glance and is very out of place with all the red granite and aspen groves that can be viewed as far as the eye can see. I would then explain to them that this unique mountain is actually an astonishing discovery: I had to bring samples of the rock to several geologists at Colorado College and UCCS, and the verdicts ended up being exciting. The rock is metamorphic, and initial assessments suggest that, in some rare way, it did not reach deep enough in the mantle to turn back into magma. When the Front Range Intrusion occurred, this mountain took a rock back up to the surface and might be one of the oldest rocks on the planet with a range of billions of years!

By the end of the day, they would probably be tired from all the hiking and my non-stop talking about the history, wildlife, and we would return back to Colorado Springs to enjoy a meal at one of the many fine establishments in downtown.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’m happy to help improve your message! Here’s a possible rephrasing of your statement:

I want to take a moment to express my appreciation for Jason Marsteiner, the founder and leader of Survival University located in Cripple Creek. Jason has been a close friend of mine for many years, and his unwavering support has been instrumental in my personal pursuits and endeavors.

I have always admired Jason’s dependability and dedication to his work, and it is inspiring to witness the growth and success of his business and organization over time. His passion for teaching others the skills and knowledge necessary to survive in the wilderness is truly remarkable, and his commitment to excellence is unmatched.

I cannot say enough good things about Jason and the impact he has had on my life and the lives of countless others. Thank you, Jason, for your unwavering support and for being an inspiration to us all.

Website: modern-explorer.org