Mr. Félix Hernández de Rojas, UPM, Spain
Félix Hernández de Rojas (born July 21, 1973, Valladolid, Spain) is a dynamic digital business strategist and tech innovation leader, passionate about shaping the future of industries through digital transformation, entrepreneurship, and advanced technologies like AI and IoT. With a rare blend of hands-on experience in telecom, academia, and global digital ecosystems, Félix envisions business like an orchestra, harmonizing tech, people, and strategy to deliver value. His work bridges corporate development at Telefónica with academic mentoring and international digital consultancy, showcasing his belief in building ecosystems rather than isolated solutions. He continues to drive innovation and transformation with creativity and purpose across Europe and Latin America. 🌍✨
👤 Profile
Orcid
🎓 Education
Félix holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Telecommunication Engineering from Universidad de Valladolid (1991–1996), with a final thesis developed in partnership with Universidad Polytechnic de Madrid (UPM) and the European Union on Artificial Intelligence, knowledge engineering, and human-computer interfaces. He earned an Executive MBA (2003–2004) with international modules in Madrid, London, and Austin (Texas), focusing on VoIP and Centrex IP business models within Telefónica. Since 2021, he has been pursuing a PhD at ETSIT-UPM, researching the impact of digitalization on innovation and competitiveness within the EU and global economies. 📚🧠
💼 Experience
Professionally, Félix has spent the bulk of his career at Telefónica Group, where since 2009 he has held senior roles in digital business development, product marketing, and strategy. He has spearheaded initiatives across IoT, AI, and Industry 4.0, particularly in energy, industrial, and sustainability sectors. His responsibilities include working with Tier 1 clients, collaborating with start-ups, and scaling tech-based services across Telefónica’s digital business arms. He is also a prolific contributor to corporate blogs, an evaluator for innovation competitions, and a recognized figure at global expos and industry summits. 🚀🏢
🧪 Research Interests
Félix’s academic and professional research centers on digital transformation, competitive intelligence, platform business models, and the convergence of AI, IoT, and sustainability in modern industry. His current doctoral work explores how digitalization is reshaping the EU and global innovation landscape, with a focus on strategic competitiveness. He has contributed to high-impact Q1 journals and participated in international forums such as the International Telecommunications Society (ITS). His work emphasizes a systems-level understanding of how businesses must evolve to remain resilient in rapidly shifting digital environments. 🔬🌐
🏅 Awards
Among his recognitions, Félix was awarded Best Technological Telefónica Blogger (2018–2019) for his thought leadership on the company’s official platform. He also served as jury member for innovation competitions in Shenzhen and South Summit (2021), lending his expertise in evaluating next-generation start-ups. His leadership in supporting innovation ecosystems through Wayra.org and Telefónica’s open innovation initiatives further cements his role as a trusted voice in digital entrepreneurship. 🏆📢
📚 Publication Top Notes