#Finland #Innovation #BRP #Rovaniemi #design challenge

BRP Announces Winners of 6th International Design Challenge

In a remarkable celebration of creativity and innovation, BRP Inc. has announced the winners of its 6th International Design Challenge held in Rovaniemi, Finland. The competition attracted around 70 students from esteemed universities in various countries, including Finland, Canada, the USA, France, and the UK. Participants were tasked with envisioning groundbreaking designs for emergency response vehicles (ERVs) that incorporate several of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Supported by the World Design Organization, BRP's International Design Challenge provides students with an opportunity to apply their design thinking skills and creativity, guided by professors and BRP's design professionals. This initiative reaffirms BRP's ongoing commitment to nurturing the next generation of design talent while strengthening collaboration between academia and industry.

Denys Lapointe, the Chief of Design at BRP, expressed his excitement about returning to Rovaniemi and witnessing the students' engagement in such a fulfilling experience. He expressed gratitude to the University of Lapland for its hospitality and appreciated the contributions of professors, mentors, and jury members. Lapointe emphasized the significance of equipping young talents with the tools they need to explore bold ideas. He believes collaborative endeavors across generations are crucial for shaping the future of mobility, highlighting that design transcends boundaries.

The winners of this year’s challenge, selected from nearly 70 submissions, showcased exceptional creativity and innovation aimed at addressing environmental disasters. Among the ten finalists—each representing different universities—were students from the College for Creative Studies (Detroit, USA), Humber College (Toronto, Canada), LAB University of Applied Sciences (Lahti, Finland), Royal College of Art (London, UK), Rubika (Valenciennes, France), Strate School of Design (Paris, France), University of Montreal (Montreal, Canada), and the University of Lapland (Rovaniemi, Finland).

The Winners:

First Prize

The first prize was awarded to Valentin Leboucher from Rubika, France, for his innovative dual-purpose vehicle designed to combat wildfires. This ingenious design enables firefighters to safely approach fire zones and transform into a protective base for deploying a rover equipped with a fire-fighting hose, allowing for precise and effective action against intense flames. His concept stood out for its rigor and coherence, winning him a six-month paid internship at BRP’s world-class design and innovation center in Valcourt, Canada.

Second Prize

In second place was Kirtish Gaood from the College for Creative Studies, USA. He focused on landslides in northern India, with a vehicle concept that reflects the agility and responsiveness needed in critical situations, inspired by traditional Sherpas. This minimalistic design allows for quick access to affected areas and swift evacuation of individuals to safety. As the second-place winner, Kirtish received a monetary award of €3,000.

Third Prize

The third prize went to Antoine Rupp from Rubika, France. His project addresses flood rescue scenarios, showcasing empathy and innovative solutions to ease the return journey for victims with a unique vehicle design that incorporates independent suspended links, making rescue operations more effective. Antoine was awarded a monetary prize of €1,500 for his exceptional design.

The Role of Design in Community Growth

Since its inception, BRP has prioritized design and innovation as core elements of its business philosophy. By revealing the winners during the Arctic Design Week Goes Campus event, BRP underscores the significance of design as a catalyst for regional development and cultural identity. Ulla-Kirsikka Vainio, the Mayor of Rovaniemi, expressed pride in hosting initiatives that unite students, educators, and industry leaders globally, enhancing the city’s reputation as a Nordic design hub.

Antti Syväjärvi, Rector of the University of Lapland, highlighted the collaborative aspect of the event and the unique opportunity it presented for students to engage with professionals and peers worldwide, fostering innovative solutions.

The participating educational institutions included prominent names such as the College for Creative Studies (Detroit, USA), Humber College (Toronto, Canada), LAB University of Applied Sciences (Lahti, Finland), Royal College of Art (London, UK), Rubika (Valenciennes, France), Strate School of Design (Paris, France), University of Montreal (Montreal, Canada), and the University of Lapland (Rovaniemi, Finland).

About BRP

BRP Inc. is a global leader in motorized recreational products, propulsion systems, and boats, built on over 80 years of ingenuity. With a diverse portfolio that includes Ski-Doo and Lynx snowmobiles, Sea-Doo personal watercraft, Can-Am off-road and on-road vehicles, and Rotax marine propulsion systems, BRP delivers exhilarating adventures and experiences across countless terrains. Committed to responsible growth, BRP also invests in electric models for its product lines, reflecting its vision for a sustainable future. The company, headquartered in Quebec, Canada, reported annual sales of CAD 7.8 billion from over 130 countries and employed approximately 16,500 dedicated individuals as of January 31, 2025. Visit www.brp.com for more information.