The dream of designing your own sporting equipment – custom cleats for a footballer, a personalized racquet for a tennis player, or a unique club for a golfer – is now within reach for two young entrepreneurs. Dante Bourlet, 25, and Virgile Bourlet, 28, are poised to disrupt the kayaking world with Kaivo, a company focused on creating durable, eco-friendly, and high-performance kayaks.
Hailing from Normandy, France, the brothers developed a passion for kayaking fifteen years ago, recognizing a surprisingly active community despite the region’s reputation. “There are a lot of practitioners here, and neighboring Brittany actually has the highest number of licensed kayakers,” explains Dante Bourlet. “With all the rainfall and numerous rivers, we can kayak year-round.” Their interest quickly shifted from the sport itself to the materials and technology behind the boats.
This fascination led them to pursue specialized education. Dante earned a degree in Science and Materials Engineering, followed by a three-year apprenticeship at ArianeGroup, becoming a composite materials engineer. Virgile, meanwhile, became a mechanical design engineer. In September 2024, the brothers combined their expertise, launching Kaivo – a name derived from “kayak, evolution, and water” – in January 2025.
Relocating to the Jura region to support Dante’s partner’s employment with Bel, the brothers quickly found support from the Lons Agglomération community space (Ecla). “They provided us with a large workshop at a reduced rent through their business incubator,” Virgile Bourlet noted.
From Initial Setback to Sustainable Design
The initial attempt at building a kayak, constructed entirely from fiberglass and carbon fiber, proved unsuccessful. “Unfortunately, it was a failure; many things weren’t working, and we had to start over,” Dante Bourlet admitted. Undeterred, they persevered, driven by a commitment to the future of sports and environmental responsibility. “Our primary goal is to focus on the sport of tomorrow. Given that kayaking is an outdoor activity, it’s unacceptable to see kayaks having an average lifespan of just two years before being discarded, especially considering that most are made of plastic, resulting in a significant carbon footprint.”
Kaivo’s core philosophy centers on creating a kayak that is both environmentally conscious and high-performing. After collaborating with Bardot Next of Grenoble, a company specializing in mold design, their second prototype emerged in early March 2026. The brothers are currently conducting rigorous testing in Oyonnax, both personally and with the local kayaking club.
Affordable Innovation and Community Support
Once testing is complete, Kaivo plans to initially offer forty kayaks at an introductory price of €1,500. “This price represents half its actual value, made possible by the financial aid and grants we’ve received,” Dante Bourlet explained. “It will also give us the opportunity to quickly gain visibility and recognition.” The company secured a total of €149,000 in funding, supplemented by a personal loan of €20,000.
This substantial investment allows Kaivo to offer competitive pricing although maintaining a sustainable business model. “It allows us to produce boats that are more accessible to the public. Had we needed to invest this amount ourselves, it would have taken much longer to raise the funds, and our kayaks would have been far less affordable, which goes against our goal of creating high-performance, innovative kayaks for everyone,” Virgile Bourlet stated.
Looking Ahead: Repairability, Canoes, and Olympic Aspirations
Beyond the initial kayak launch, the brothers are already planning for the future. “We also want to focus on repairability and parts replacement, so our kayaks last ten to twenty years instead of the current average of five,” Dante Bourlet said. They also aim to introduce their first canoe by the end of the year.
Their ambition extends to the highest levels of competition, with a long-term vision of seeing Kaivo products used by French athletes in future Olympic Games. “Above all, we want to prove to those who believed in us that we weren’t just selling a dream, but delivering a reality,” Virgile Bourlet emphasized. “And if all goes well, we hope to establish one of the first engineering firms dedicated to niche sports, helping practitioners address their specific challenges, with the kayak serving as a showcase for our success.”
The brothers’ commitment to innovation and sustainability positions Kaivo as a company to watch in the evolving world of watersports. Their focus on durability and repairability represents a significant shift away from the disposable nature of many modern sporting goods, offering a compelling alternative for environmentally conscious athletes.
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