TheBusinessDesk.com’s East Midlands editor Sam Metcalf, who chaired the judging panel, said: “Congratulations to all our winners – and those shortlisted. We had a record-breaking number of entries to the Leadership Awards this year, and the standard of this year’s nominations was higher than ever, displaying the depth and breadth of leadership talent in the East Midlands.”
Based in LUinc., the University’s incubator on Loughborough University Science and Enterprise Park, R3V Tech was co-founded by Loughborough University chemistry academics Dr Randi and Professor of Organic Chemistry Benjamin Buckley. The company is developing an electrochemical process that enables biodiesel producers to convert crude glycerol, a biodiesel by-product, into solketal, a bio-derived solvent and fuel additive. Designed for on-site conversion at biodiesel plants, the approach can reduce transport emissions and avoid energy-intensive refining routes.
R3V Tech has recently marked a major technical milestone with the successful completion of its first pilot trial, delivering more than 20 hours of continuous operation and helping validate a scalable pathway to produce chemicals faster with lower energy consumption and reduced emissions.
Dr Randi holds a PhD in plasma chemistry from Loughborough and was awarded a Royal Academy of Engineering Enterprise Fellowship to advance the technology underpinning R3V Tech. The company and process were developed through the EPSRC Impact Acceleration Account and the Innovate UK-funded ICURe programme, which supports the creation of university spin-out companies. In 2025, R3V Tech was selected for the Shell Start-Up Engine and the Royal Society of Chemistry Change Makers programme, helping accelerate progress towards market.
The team’s long-term goal is to deliver a self-contained, modular unit housing the electrochemical reactor and supporting components – a plug-in system that allows biodiesel producers to easily start converting crude glycerol into solketal on site.
Commenting on the recognition, Dr Randi said: “It’s a real honour to be named Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year, and a brilliant boost for the whole R3V Tech team as we move from breakthrough research to commercial reality. We’re building a solution that can make a difference to the planet and society – and my ambition is to see biodiesel producers everywhere using this process, creating a legacy that benefits the next generation.”
Professor Dan Parsons, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation, added: “Congratulations to Adriano on this well-deserved recognition. It’s a great endorsement of his entrepreneurial leadership and the progress R3V Tech is making as the team builds on strong pilot results and moves towards a scalable technology with real potential for industry.”
To support scale-up and deployment, R3V Tech is seeking partners and early adopters, including biodiesel producers able to host pilot trials and provide crude glycerol samples for testing. To discuss partnership opportunities, pilot trials, or sample submission, please contact Dr Adriano Randi at a.randi@r3vtech.com.