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84.001,71 € invested by 769 lenders
99% Funded26 days left to close
DiVERGE
Porto, PT
instalment
monthly
term
18 months
yearly interest
6.05%
risk rating
C+
Custom sneakers, crafted ethically in Portugal.
Description
DiVERGE is a Portuguese B‑Corp certified footwear brand founded in 2018 with the mission of challenging the mass‑production model of the global sneaker industry. The company combines premium craftsmanship, digital customization, and slow‑fashion principles. All sneakers are made to order and handcrafted in family‑owned workshops in Portugal using high‑quality, ethically sourced materials from certified suppliers.
The funds raised through this campaign aim to advance payments that DiVERGE will receive from three grants awarded by Portugal Inovação Social under the PT2030 programme. These grants support the expansion of the company’s iMAGINE programme, an employability initiative for at‑risk youth delivered across the North, Centre and Lisbon regions of Portugal.
The grants finance the human resources required to deliver the training modules, which run from January 2024 to September 2027. Due to the milestone‑based reimbursement schedule - including a postponed payment planned for July 2027 - the amount raised will provide the upfront liquidity needed to implement the programme while DiVERGE awaits the release of grant funds. The release of grant payments is conditional on participants demonstrating at least a 0.25 points improvement in employability skills, with a total of 650 young people expected to complete the programme.
By advancing these funds, the campaign will enable DiVERGE to maintain the continuity of its social‑impact activities while awaiting the scheduled reimbursements. At the same time, it supports the company’s broader mission of combining ethical craftsmanship with meaningful community impact.
The Impact
Promotion of social and economic inclusion: DiVERGE, a B-Corp certified company, believes that creating personalized goods deeply reaffirms an individual’s identity. Through its co-creation platform, the company empowers people to design customized sneakers that reflect their unique stories. This core mindset inspired the iMAGINE program which intends to act as a springboard for young people, aged 15 to 24, in accessing higher education pathways or qualified employment by improving their technical and soft skills.
The programs are supported by Portugal 2030 (started in 2024) and intend to reach 650 participants by 2027 (170 young people in the North, 220 in the Center, and 260 in Lisbon) of which approximately 106 will be covered by this financing (aprox. 16,3%).
Promotion of access to quality education: offered entirely free of charge, the program provides 30 hours of specialised training in soft and entrepreneurial skills across 10 distinct modules, complemented by ongoing mentorship from a team of specialists. Throughout the initiative, participants develop their own sneakers, acquire practical, transferable skills that enhance their future prospects, and directly receive the proceeds from their sales. To sustain and scale this educational impact, DiVERGE directs 10% of its profits to the iMAGINE program and is formally committed to donating at least 5% of its team's time through annual pro-bono services.
Promotion of sustainable and efficient use of raw materials: DiVERGE counters the environmental waste generated by low-quality, mass-produced footwear by championing a circular and highly targeted manufacturing model. On the consumption side, the company uses only premium, long-lasting materials sourced from certified suppliers, such as Leather Working Group (LWG) gold-rated and OEKO-TEX® certified leathers. On the production side, the company operates an exclusively made-to-order system to eliminate unsold inventory and excess waste. Handcrafted locally in Portuguese family-owned workshops, its operations prioritize both an ethical working culture and a significantly reduced ecological footprint.
Impact Indicators
650
people impacted
Contribution to the Sustainable
Development Goals
Sustainable Development Goals
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Financial viability
The loan will be repaid through the funds DiVERGE is scheduled to receive from three grants awarded by Portugal Inovação Social under the PT2030 programme. The grants contemplate a total investment of 650.102€, of which 520.081€ will be reimbursed by PT2030 and 130.021€ will be provided by social investors.
The combination of confirmed grant reimbursements, milestone‑based payment schedules, and a growing commercial activity provides the basis for DiVERGE’s capacity to meet its repayment obligations to Goparity investors.
Capital at risk - investing involves the risk of losing part or all of the money you invest. Although Goparity implements risk-mitigation measures, to further reduce the risk of capital loss, please remember to diversify your portfolio to limit your exposure to specific projects. Learn more about risk mitigation here >
This project has a minimum target of 75.000,00€.
As stated in Part B of the KIIS document (Key Investment Information Sheet), the minimum targeted loan amount is 75.000,00€, this means the funding campaign can close with any amount between 75.000,00€ and 85.000,00€ on the end date.
Download the Financial Statements for the promoter here
Download Key Investment Information Sheet
The Promoter
About Brothers in Arms, Lda.
DiVERGE is a Portuguese B‑Corp certified footwear brand founded in 2018 with the ambition to challenge the mass‑production model of the global sneaker industry. The company was created by João Esteves - a former marketing executive and basketball enthusiast - together with a group of friends who shared a frustration with the top‑down nature of traditional fashion, where a few dominant brands dictate trends and rely on large‑scale, low‑quality production.
From the beginning, DiVERGE set out to build an alternative rooted in ethical craftsmanship, creativity and personal expression. The brand combines a made‑to‑order approach with digital co‑creation, allowing customers to design their own sneakers while ensuring that every pair is handcrafted in family‑owned workshops in Portugal using high‑quality, responsibly sourced materials.
Social impact is a central part of DiVERGE’s identity. The company created the iMAGINE programme, an employability initiative for at‑risk youth that offers training in entrepreneurship, creativity and professional skills. Participants design their own sneakers, which are later sold worldwide, receiving the full gross profits from those sales. DiVERGE also reinvests 10% of its overall profits into the programme. In addition, the brand collaborates with MANICÓMIO, Portugal’s first outsider‑art studio for artists with lived experience of mental health issues, inviting them to use DiVERGE sneakers as a canvas and receiving 20% of profits from each pair sold.
Today, DiVERGE operates as a micro‑enterprise composed of three founders and seven additional employees, primarily working across marketing and project management. The company follows an asset‑light structure, relying on long‑term partnerships with specialised Portuguese workshops and suppliers while focusing internally on design, digital experience and social‑impact initiatives.
The team
João Esteves
Manager with broad experience in the marketing value chain with strong leadership and project management skills. More than 20 years of experience in marketing acquired at Sport Zone, Unilever, TIM we, Grupo CGI and LEGO Company. He holds a BSC in Business Administration.
Maria Neves
At DiVERGE she is responsible for managing the e-commerce operations, site development and digital marketing initiatives focused on customer acquisition. She has more than 20 years of experience in marketing and project management.
Ivo Conde
At Diverge he leads all technical processes, infrastructure and software development and the company's technical evolution. Before he joined Diverge he acquired over 15 years of experience in software development at TIMwe.
Business Model
The promoter's model is built around three pillars: co‑creation, ethical manufacturing and an asset‑light operational structure.
The company’s value proposition centres on allowing customers to design their own sneakers through a decentralized digital platform. Users can start from a blank canvas or from curated inspirations, creating unique pairs that are then handcrafted in family‑owned Portuguese workshops. All materials are sourced from certified suppliers, including LWG gold‑rated leathers, ensuring high quality and responsible production.
Commercially, DiVERGE follows a direct‑to‑consumer approach, with its own e‑commerce platform as its sole sales channel. While the brand is primarily B2C, it also serves B2B clients through curated collections and collaborations. Its revenue model includes four streams: customized sneakers, ready‑to‑wear designs, social‑impact collections created through its youth programme, and complementary accessories such as socks and laces.
The company’s asset‑light structure is a core component of its business model. DiVERGE outsources manufacturing, packaging, logistics and part of its marketing activities to specialised partners, allowing the internal team to focus on design, digital experience and programme management. This approach reduces capital intensity while maintaining flexibility and scalability.
DiVERGE’s differentiation lies in combining personalization, craftsmanship and social impact within a single offering. Few brands integrate digital co‑creation with ethical, small‑batch production and community‑focused initiatives. This positioning, supported by long‑term partnerships with Portuguese workshops and a growing international customer base, provides the company with a defensible niche in the global footwear market.
Active since
2018
Fiscal country
PT
Operating In
Portugal
Industry
Life Style
Women Shareholders
Yes
Updates
2026-05-30
Target of 85.000,00€ achieved
The project has successfully met its target of 85.000,00€ with the participation of 752 investors. You can still join the waiting list until the campaign closes.
2026-05-30
Minimum target of 75.000,00€ achieved
The project has successfully met its minimum target with the participation of 702 investors. The project has been open for 2 day(s), and you can continue to invest until the maximum of 85.000,00€ is reached or until the campaign concludes.
2026-05-29
Open for investment
This campaign is open for investment
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DiVERGE
4º Esq
1070-289 Lisboa
Portugal
© 2026 Goparity
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