Geox success story

Born in the early 90s from the inventive Mario Moretti Polegato, Geox founder and major shareholder, Geox has grown in Europe at an increasing rate. A widespread problem was finally solved with the invention of a rubber shoe that allows the foot to breathe. This shoe is directed to health-conscious consumers, who received the innovation second only to the introduction of rubber-made outsoles in the late 40s/early 50s.

Early days The origin of Geox is closely linked to the personal history of its founder, Mario Moretti Polegato. Born in 1952 near Treviso, one of the wealthiest regions in Italy, Mr. Polegato's destiny was to take over the family winemaking business. He graduated from the Agricultural Faculty and joined the family business in hopes of expanding its market. While at a wine industry conference in Reno, Nevada, he went for a jog in the dry heat. His rubber shoes were great for cushioning and support, but were like a heat chamber for his feet. He had an idea to cut a couple of holes in his outsoles to add breathability. Mr. Polegato's solution balanced the temperature in his shoes in a way that would change his entrepreneurial status forever.

Back in Italy, Mr. Polegato developed his intuition into a viable product, with the help of his small family-owned leather goods business. The first shoe with a perforated sole was born, allowing the foot to breathe while preventing water from penetrating. When the first prototypes were ready, he tried to market and sell the product to national and international shoemaking companies. Not enough interest was shown. As he lived and breathed entrepreneurial spirit, Mario Moretti Polegato established Geox, a new company that would design, manufacture and market a new type of shoe-the shoe that breathes.