Honored to Be Nominated by eCERTO for the Rising Star Award

Describe the Rising Star. What are their main responsibilities, professional and personal achievements and career highlights?

Rafael Castillo, eCERTO’s Product Developer, has demonstrated exceptional versatility and leadership across UX/UI, Software Development, Data Science, and Quality Assurance. Beyond his core responsibilities, he has taken on roles in Product Ownership, HR, and Team Leadership, playing a key role in accelerating INTEGRATI’s development.

He successfully led the transition of INTEGRATI from proof of concept to commercial products and managed engine's migration with IBM and Bellrock Technologies. Recognizing the need for an in-house team, he built and led one from the ground up, ensuring its success. His strategic contributions were instrumental in securing a £2.6 million investment for eCERTO.

Beyond technical achievements, Rafael has shaped eCERTO’s company culture by mentoring interns and fostering a collaborative environment, strengthening the company’s future.

What initiative has the nominee undertaken that defines them as a Rising Star? Include the challenges and how these were overcome

Rafael spearheaded the accelerated development of INTEGRATI®, a cloud-based enterprise SaaS platform for capital project modeling. He played a key role in transforming it from a proof of concept into commercial version INTEGRATI Light.

Driven by his belief that an enjoyable work culture enhances productivity, Rafael focused on fostering a motivated and creative team. However, he faced significant challenges, including a lack of staff and senior technical input. To overcome this, he took the initiative to recruit and train an in-house team while leveraging relationships with senior experts from partner companies. He also navigated the fast-paced startup environment through mindfulness practices and a resilient mindset, setting an example for his team.

His leadership and innovative approach to problem-solving solidify his status as a Rising Star at eCERTO.

How the Rising Star’s knowledge has grown along with changes in their engagement with colleagues and customers.

Rafael started as a Product Owner at eCERTO, accelerating INTEGRATI’s development by 300% while managing key partnerships with IBM and Bellrock Technologies. This strengthened his ability to align technical progress with business goals and collaborate with experienced developers.

Seeing the need for an in-house team, he took the initiative to recruit, onboard, and lead a multidisciplinary group, balancing efficiency with a positive team culture. His mentorship and leadership transformed him from a collaborator into a strategic leader, driving eCERTO’s innovation and long-term success.

What other reasons do you attribute to the nominee’s success?

What direct positive impact has the nominee had on the company, e.g. financial, cultural, motivational?

Rafael joined eCERTO during a critical period, helping stabilize the company through his leadership and innovative solutions. He played a key role in securing £2.6 million in investment, ensuring continued support from Scottish Enterprise and investors while driving INTEGRATI’s development.

Beyond financial impact, Rafael transformed the company culture, designing strategies that fostered a positive and motivated work environment—reshaping the company’s cultural direction. His energy and passion for learning have inspired colleagues, driving both professional and personal growth. His contributions have strengthened eCERTO’s financial position, culture, and team motivation.

Rafael’s success is driven by his adaptability and collaborative mindset. Initially handling seven roles, he recognized the need for a sustainable approach and strategically built a strong in-house team. Partnering with Opportunity North East, RGU, and the University of Aberdeen, he recruited top talent, assembling a diverse and skilled group.

His "one for all, all for one" philosophy fostered a culture of unity and shared vision, ensuring eCERTO’s continued success through teamwork and innovation.

This is the application eCERTO submitted for my nomination to the Rising Star Award 2024. I am truly honored to see my biggest accomplishments recognized and written by the company. None of my achievements have gone unnoticed, and it is with great pride that I share this application