Carlos Fernando Villacreses

I’m a consultant, mentor, and public policy expert with a deep passion for helping entrepreneurs and SMEs thrive in complex and rapidly changing environments. With over 15 years of experience across public, private, and academic sectors, I specialize in building agile, innovative, and efficient organizations through strategic thinking, collaborative work, and the smart use of technology.

Today, I focus on supporting businesses and institutions in the implementation of artificial intelligence to optimize their processes, accelerate their growth, and unlock new value—especially within entrepreneurial ecosystems and small to medium enterprises. Through my consulting firm, Kafevisa, I help organizations design customer-centric business models, implement digital transformation strategies, and apply methodologies such as Jobs to Be Done, Emerging Strategy, and Exponential Organizations (ExO).

My journey has taken me through various leadership roles. I served as Undersecretary of SMEs and Crafts at Ecuador’s Ministry of Production, where I led national efforts to boost innovation, entrepreneurship, and productive development. I was also part of key decision-making bodies like BanEcuador, IFCI, and the National Council for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (CONEIN). I believe strongly in public-private cooperation as a cornerstone of sustainable development.

In parallel to my consulting and policy work, I’ve dedicated a significant part of my career to education and mentorship. I currently teach Digital Transformation Strategy at Universidad San Francisco de Quito and have also taught innovation, marketing, and entrepreneurship at institutions like Universidad Técnica de Ambato, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Prendho (Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja) and Universidad Técnica de Cotopaxi. I regularly mentor startups and entrepreneurial programs—such as “Emprende Turismo” and initiatives from ConQuito—providing guidance from idea validation to strategic growth.

My commitment to collaboration and civic participation has led me to build bridges beyond business and government. I founded the Urban Observatory of Ambato, a multi-sector platform to analyze urban challenges using data and citizen input. I also proudly served as president of the Rotary Club of Ambato, fostering local impact through community engagement.

Internationally, I’ve represented Ecuador in spaces like the Global Youth Leadership Forum in Spain and the Americas Competitiveness Exchange in the U.S. These experiences continue to fuel my vision of interconnected, innovation-driven ecosystems across Latin America.

I hold a master’s in artificial intelligence from Three Points—The School for Digital Business, an executive MBA from IDE Business School, and certifications in fintech, customer focus, digital transformation for exporting SMEs, and innovation strategy.

As part of the Global Entrepreneurship Network, I’m excited to contribute to a community that believes in entrepreneurship as a force for good. My mission is to help more entrepreneurs build smart, efficient, and impactful ventures—with AI as a key ally in the process.