Diego Rubio

Diego A. Rubio is a tech-based economic development consultant who exemplifies how alternative routes can lead to meaningful, high-impact career success. With a deep commitment to rural innovation, Diego currently serves on the Rural Innovation Initiative team, where he guides communities in building sustainable, inclusive tech economies. His work involves engaging rural stakeholders in strategic planning and implementation to foster long-term economic resilience.

‍

Diego’s path into this field is anything but conventional —built not through a linear academic track, but through hands-on leadership, public service, and a dedication to continuous learning. Over the course of his career, he has earned numerous professional licenses and certifications in entrepreneurship, business development, and public sector strategy, which have equipped him to support ecosystems from the ground up.

‍

Prior to his current role, Diego served as a Senior Program Manager at The LaunchPad and as a lecturer at the University of Texas at Austin, where he co-led entrepreneurship courses, mentored students and startups, and helped design high-impact programs. His journey began in Del Rio, Texas, where he launched and ran a successful business incubator as part of his work for the City of Del Rio, securing major grants and revitalizing the city’s Main Street district.

‍

Now based in Austin, Diego continues to bring his unique blend of lived experience, credentialed expertise, and grassroots insight to his work — empowering others to thrive in tech and innovation, no matter where they start.