Dr. Francisca Reyes was introduced to entrepreneurship as a graduate student. Since then, her focus has been on Mexican American female entrepreneurs, rural entrepreneurship, technology transfer, and entrepreneurship-led economic development. 

She has provided technical assistance to entrepreneurs, reviewed technologies’ novelty prior to commercialization at New Mexico State University’s Arrowhead Center, and taught Entrepreneurship and Business Economics at Western New Mexico University. Most recently, she worked with the United Nations Development Program in Mexico, creating strategies to attract investment and incorporate small businesses in global value chains. 

Francisca holds a Doctorate in economic development from New Mexico State University, an MBA and MPA from the University of Texas, El Paso, and a BS in Industrial Engineering from the Institute of Technology in Durango, Mexico. 

On December 1, 2021, she joined the University of California, Riverside’s Office of Technology Partnerships as the Entrepreneurial Education Lead and Campus Director for the Blackstone LaunchPad. In this role, she is responsible for developing and managing entrepreneurial education and programming initiatives, mentoring student entrepreneurs, and promoting entrepreneurship among UCR students. Additionally, she supports entrepreneurship-led economic development efforts at UCR.

Email : francisca.reyes@ucr.edu

Website: https://ucrotp.ucr.edu/