Dr. Rosibel Ochoa
Associate Vice Chancellor for Technology Partnerships, University of California Riverside
Dr. Rosibel Ochoa is the Associate Vice Chancellor for Technology Partnerships at the University of California Riverside (UCR). She oversees all activities related to technology transfer, corporate research partnerships, and entrepreneurial support programs at the university. Her leadership has supported strategic regional economic development through technology entrepreneurship and workforce development initiatives. One of her flagship projects, the OASIS Regional Economic Development Initiative, will build the first $50 million Innovation Park focused on sustainability in the Inland Empire.
Building a Regional Innovation Ecosystem
Since joining UCR in mid-2016, Dr. Rosibel Ochoa has raised over $24 million to build a regional innovation ecosystem for technology startups. She has led a team of 24 associates and 20 entrepreneurs in residence, driving the commercialization of academic research, training the entrepreneurial workforce, and supporting technology entrepreneurs in Inland Southern California. Her team negotiates over 300 sponsored research and licensing agreements annually and manages a portfolio of over 200 patents.
Entrepreneurship, Economic Impact, and Local Initiatives
Under Dr. Ochoa's leadership, UCR's entrepreneurship programs have supported over 600 technology ventures, raising over $74 million in capital and creating more than 500 jobs. Her team also manages a tech-focused and life science incubator on the university campus. Additionally, she co-chairs the education committee for the UC-wide initiative for inclusive entrepreneurship and serves on the UC President's Committee on Entrepreneurship.
Dr. Ochoa spearheaded the creation of the Highlander Venture Capital Fund, the first fund focused on the Inland Empire and launched the Riverside Angels Investment Conference. She also partnered with the City of Riverside to construct an Urban Agriculture Technology Innovation Center, further strengthening UCR's local impact.
Global Influence and Partnerships
On the international stage, Dr. Ochoa has developed entrepreneurial programs in Latin America, including strategic partnerships with KnowHUB Chile, the Organization of American States, and Eurosemillas, a global agricultural innovator. Her efforts have positioned UCR as a global leader in technology entrepreneurship and partnerships.
Leadership Roles, Recognition, and Awards
Dr. Ochoa's influence extends to several boards and leadership roles, including the Riverside County Workforce Development Board, Inland Empire Latina Businesswomen Association, Riverside ExCITE, the Alliance of Southern California, and the Governing Council of the United Nations Technology Bank for the Least Developed Countries.
In June 2023, she was named Female Entrepreneurial Leader of the Year by the Accreditation Council for Entrepreneurial and Engaged Universities in Barcelona, Spain. Additionally, she led a consortium of regional partners from Inland Southern California to secure the designation of Inclusive Innovation Hub by the California Office of the Small Business Advocate.
Previous Roles and Contributions
Before joining UC Riverside, Dr. Ochoa led the von Liebig Entrepreneurism Center at UC San Diego, where she co-founded My StartupXX, a technology accelerator focused on women entrepreneurs. She holds a Ph.D. and an M.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Louisville, is the inventor of two issued patents, and is the author of more than 18 scientific publications.
