Keishla M. Tirado is an educator, grant writer, and program manager with over 15 years of experience advancing innovation and entrepreneurship in Puerto Rico. She served as Director of the Innovation and Technology Center at the Puerto Rico Small Business Development Centers (PR SBDC), where she led the Puerto Rico Innovation, Development, Entrepreneurship, Assistance Program (PRidea), funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Federal and State Technology (FAST) Partnership Program. Through her leadership, the FAST program returned to Puerto Rico after nearly a decade of absence.
Keishla specializes in the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, guiding entrepreneurs and researchers through the development, protection, and commercialization of technological innovations. She also serves as a reviewer for the National Science Foundation’s SBIR program.
Currently, she is the Director of Federal Programs at DECA, where she helps entrepreneurs access non-dilutive funding, capital, and leverage Act 60 tax incentives to drive growth and innovation. Her work bridges federal funding with local economic development strategies to expand opportunities for businesses across Puerto Rico.