In the second episode of the videocast “Negócios com Impacto”, a partnership between CATÓLICA-LISBON and Rádio Renascença, we are introduced to the story of Shar, a peer-to-peer rental platform that aims to transform the way we consume.
Joining the conversation were Teresa Xavier, a CATÓLICA-LISBON alumna responsible for the company’s strategic and financial management, and Tomás Sequeira, a graduate of Instituto Superior Técnico and the platform’s lead developer. Together, they founded a startup that responds to a growing need: making access to goods more convenient and sustainable, by reducing unnecessary purchases and waste.
The idea for the startup was born out of a real-life situation experienced by Teresa.
“I was about to go on holiday when my GoPro broke, the day before the trip. I asked myself: is it worth buying another piece of equipment that I only use once or twice a year? That’s when I realised there was no practical solution for renting this type of item”, she recalls. That gap in the market inspired her to create an alternative.
With a background in Business Administration, the CATÓLICA-LISBON alumna developed the business model, but quickly realised she needed technical expertise to bring the idea to life. “I thought it made sense to combine my financial background with Tomás's tech know-how.” And so, Shar was born.
Available on iOS and Android, Shar is a free marketplace that allows users to rent a wide variety of items easily and securely, from drones, cameras, and laptops to medical equipment, childcare essentials, gardening tools or DIY gear.
“From the beginning, we understood that security was the biggest barrier. Not everyone is comfortable lending their personal belongings. So, we developed specific features to reduce that concern”, explains Tomás Sequeira.
Among those features is a security deposit system, set by the owner and paid at the time of booking, which is held until the item is returned. There is also a mandatory photo and video log, required before, during and after the rental, to record the condition of items and prevent disputes.
“There are thousands of items sitting unused in garages, warehouses or storage rooms, only used once or twice a year. Shar gives them a new life, helping people avoid unnecessary purchases while reducing resource waste”, says Teresa Xavier.
Launched just two months ago, the platform has already surpassed 550 registered users. Adoption is happening in phases, as Teresa explains: “First come the downloads, then users start listing items, and only then do we see rentals increasing. We’re now working on consolidating that final step, building trust and demonstrating value to our community”.
The most in-demand categories include electronic equipment (such as drones and cameras), medical devices (like adjustable hospital beds or crutches), and occasion-based items, such as kitchen appliances or gardening tools.
Shar was selected for the Microsoft for Startups programme, receiving €30,000 as an investment, a key contribution to supporting platform development in this early stage. The app is available in Portuguese and English, with international expansion planned for 2026. Spain and France are seen as priority markets, given their digital maturity and openness to circular economy solutions.
As an alumna of CATÓLICA-LISBON, Teresa highlights the importance of her academic journey in shaping her path as an entrepreneur. “It was essential in terms of strategic thinking, emotional intelligence and leadership. CATÓLICA-LISBON prepares you to look at business in an integrated way, from the business case to risk mitigation”.
Above all, Shar is an example of purpose-driven entrepreneurship, a solution that combines convenience and sustainability, encouraging a more mindful and efficient approach to consumption.
The second episode of “Negócios com Impacto” is now available to watch here and listen on Spotify.