Pensole Academy operates an educational program focused on footwear and sneaker design, having educated more than 100 aspiring shoe designers since its 2010 founding. Its graduates work at companies including Columbia Sportswear and Timberland. The organization is building an online platform, funded by a recent raise, to let aspiring designers submit designs for web-based review and voting and to help launch new products. Winning designers will collaborate with San Francisco-based Rooy and Portland-based Pensole to develop prototypes and retail-ready shoes. The new funds will also support scholarships and three new programs focused on business, online instruction, and minority designers. Pensole complements Rooy’s work in developing, manufacturing, and marketing designer footwear.

Total raised

$4M

Funding rounds

1

Latest round

Series A

Latest activity

Oct 2015