Cologne-based backpack brand Airpaq was announced as the winner of the European final of the Westfield Grand Prix on Wednesday. The international competition, organized by real estate developer Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW) and launched in 2007, supports sustainable start-ups and young companies in the retail, food & beverage, leisure and services sectors.
Airpaq has been producing roll-top backpacks and accessories from discarded airbags, scrap seat belts and old belt buckles since 2017. With the win, the young company now receives support to scale the brand nationally and internationally. This includes a rent-free retail location for one year in a Westfield destination from the Austrian and German region, individual assistance from the URW teams and a tailor-made media plan from the in-house URW retail media agency, Westfield Rise.
“We are very honored to have won not only the Westfield Grand Prix for Austria and Germany, but also the European competition among such groundbreaking start-ups from France, Great Britain and Spain. Winning this award gives us the opportunity to drive our next steps in the retail industry and continue our commitment and ambition to inspire everyone to live a greener and more sustainable lifestyle,” commented Airpaq co-founder Adrian Goosses in a statement.
Backpacks made from automotive waste
Airpaq emerged from group work on a master recycling project that brought the two fellow students Michael Widmann and Adrian Goosses to the scrapyard and soon came up with the idea of making high-quality, durable backpacks from old airbags. The first hand-sewn prototype was so well received by fellow students and professors that after completing the master’s degree and creating further prototypes, Airpaq was founded.
In its 15th edition, the Westfield Grand Prix was expanded this year to include France, Spain, Great Britain, Austria and Germany and focused on innovative and sustainability-oriented retail concepts as part of the “Better Places” sustainability strategy. Other participants in the final round also included Biicou from France, Known Source from Great Britain and PJ.Lobster from Spain.