Mildenhall, UK (24 September 2026) — Sachin Ramesh, founder of Volador Energy, has been named a finalist in the 2026 Allica Bank Great British Entrepreneur Awards, shortlisted in the Start-Up Entrepreneur of the Year category. This marks the fourth consecutive year that Volador Energy has achieved finalist recognition in this prestigious competition.

The Great British Entrepreneur Awards is as much about the entrepreneur as the business, recognising the people behind the brand and the decisions, resilience and ambition that build companies that last. Known as the Grammys of entrepreneurship, the Great British Entrepreneur Awards celebrate the most exceptional and inspiring business stories across the UK, recognising entrepreneurs from every nation and region for their innovation, impact and resilience.

This year's awards received 5,000 applications, with 740 businesses shortlisted. The Class of 2026 represents a remarkable collective achievement: the shortlisted businesses have a combined turnover of £3.3 billion, support 17,700+ jobs across the UK, and are creating a further 2,700+ new positions. Additionally, 40% of the shortlisted businesses are women-led, reflecting the diverse entrepreneurial talent across the country.

"Making it to the finals four years running doesn't just feel like a win; it feels like an incredible validation of our team's relentless grit. The energy sector is notoriously tough to navigate, and building Volador Energy has been a beautiful, exhausting rollercoaster. I am endlessly proud of how our team shows up every single day, refusing to compromise on our vision. This nomination belongs entirely to them and the hard work they pour into the energy transition." — Sachin Ramesh, Founder of Volador Energy

Volador Energy has achieved significant milestones in its journey to revolutionise battery energy storage:

  • Successfully developed and rigorously tested a fully working MVP of our core energy innovation
  • Advanced operational capabilities to reach full pre-production capacity
  • Launched seed fundraising round, already securing significant interest and co-investment commitments
  • Achieved patent pending status for battery assembly and architecture (UKIPO Application No. GB2618608.0)

Frankie James, founder of the Great British Entrepreneur Awards, commented: "When we launched the Great British Entrepreneur Awards in 2012, we set out to back the businesses that get on and build, the ones that don't always get the recognition they deserve. More than a decade on, over 5,000 applications tell me we were onto something. This year's cohort represents billions in turnover and tens of thousands of jobs, but what I'm proudest of is the determination behind those numbers. These are founders who have stuck with it through every kind of year, and championing them is exactly why we do this."

Conrad Ford, Chief Product & Strategy Officer at Allica Bank, added: "What stands out this year is the optimism and ambition that continue to define the UK's established business community. Established businesses are the real economy, making up a third of the UK's GDP and employment, and represented in every town across the country. At Allica, we're proud to support and celebrate their contribution through the Great British Entrepreneur Awards."

The Great British Entrepreneur Awards are part of Ideas Community, the UK entrepreneurship ecosystem behind Ideas Fest, two days of ideas, connection and big thinking for business leaders and entrepreneurs. Past winners include the founders of Simmer Eats, Grenade, ClearScore, Zilch and Unbiased, many of whom were recognised early in their journey.

For more about the Great British Entrepreneur Awards, visit greatbritishentrepreneurawards.com.