Enterprising OU students picked for nationwide business programme

An enterprising trio of Open University (OU) in Scotland students are each a step closer to winning a share of a £400,000-plus prize pot, with their innovative business projects chosen for the prestigious Converge programme 2025.

From a record-breaking 300-plus applications from across Scotland’s universities, the successful OU students are now part of the 125-strong cohort who will receive business training to develop their entrepreneurial skills.

Liam Laverty’s Etive Mor trade sustainability project is selected in the Net Zero Challenge category. Joining the KickStart Challenge are Liam Watt’s BlueHarvest Innovations wind energy/seaweed technology venture and David Rodriguez De La Cruz’s Pedalads.uk courier advertising platform.

Business plans will be submitted and pitches made, before shortlisted projects then progress to this year’s competition final. Winners will be announced at the Converge Awards in October.

Commenting on this year’s new intake, Adam Kosterka, Converge Executive Director said:

“It’s a great privilege to welcome such an exceptionally talented group of aspiring entrepreneurs to our programme.

“Their innovations cut across numerous fields, offering solutions with the potential to not just boost our economy but to transform people’s lives. We can’t wait to see how they progress.”

Jane Grant, OU in Scotland Depute Director for External Engagement and Partnerships, said:

“Congratulations to our three OU in Scotland students for being awarded sought-after places on this year’s Converge programme.

“Through their diverse and creative projects, Liam Laverty, Liam Watt and David Rodriguez De La Cruz exemplify The Open University’s mission of being open to people, places, methods and ideas. We wish each of them all the very best in the competition.”

Helen Cross, Director of Research and Innovation at the Scottish Funding Council, said:

“The reputation and respect Converge has built since it began 14 years ago is reflected in the incredible response to this year’s programme and in the fact that all 19 of Scotland’s universities are represented in the 2025 cohort.

“I’m delighted to see such success for a programme that does so much for enterprise and innovation and encourages such transformational projects.”

Find out more about our OU students’ projects:

Liam Laverty - Etive Mor is producing labelling showing how environmentally and socio-economically sustainable a trade transaction is, and creating a platform to automate trade sustainability assessments and help importers/exporters find new sustainable market opportunities.

Liam Watt - BlueHarvest Innovations aims to design and implement an innovative cultivatable substrate system to support seaweed and bivalve growth on offshore wind turbines’ underwater structures. Carbon capture credits and seaweed for manufacturing is the product sold.

David Rodriguez De La Cruz - Pedalads.uk introduces its innovative new mobile advertising platform: dynamic digital screens integrated into delivery bags, which allows brands to engage consumers throughout the day, maximising visibility in urban areas, while supporting local independent cycle couriers.