With a background in Economics from the Faculty of Economics of Porto and a Postgraduate degree in Economics and Social Innovation from the University of Coimbra and ISPA (Institute for Applied Psychology), Katiuska Cruz has focused her professional career on Entrepreneurship and Innovation.

Driven by a passion for people and impact, Katiuska has 18 years of experience in financial and business development. She has worked closely with startups, helping to develop business strategies and management practices for entrepreneurs, companies, and NGOs. As an Assistant Professor, she is also passionate about teaching and learning alongside her students.

Currently, Katiuska Cruz is at the National Innovation Agency, where she leads the "Born from Knowledge" program. The program's main objective is to promote, disseminate, and reward the production of knowledge and innovation. "Born from Knowledge" aims to distinguish projects that stem from scientific knowledge and recognize companies excelling in Research & Development (R&D) with a societal impact.