Caravela Gest SGPS, S.A.

Caravela Gest SGPS, S.A is a holding company, founded in November 1998, which holds investments in several areas of economic activity such as distribution of food products, operation of stores of the international ice cream brand Häagen Dazs, credit intermediation and development of real estate projects.

Vision

Our vision is to have a diversified investment portfolio, both in terms of areas of activity and in terms of geographic dispersion, offering excellent and differentiated products and services within their segment.

  • Geographic Diversification: expand our operations into new territories and markets that are politically and economically stable and where we can maintain a strong and sustainable competitive position in the long term.
  • Premium Quality: associate our brand with the offering of high quality and added value products and services, ensuring that each customer has a unique experience.
  • Market Leadership: to be an unavoidable reference in all segments in which we operate, always seeking innovation and operational excellence.
  • Strategic Synergies: identify and take advantage of synergies between our equity interests to promote sustained growth.
  • Direct Intervention in Management: actively participate in the development of business and the daily management of all subsidiaries, in order to ensure strategic consistency between them and, therefore, achieve superior results.
  • Principles of Administration: to be recognized for the quality of products and services offered, for financial solidity and for compliance with universal principles of ethics and good practices in business management.
  • Competitive Sustainability: ensure sustainable profitability in the long term, maintaining a competitive advantage in all areas of the business.

Mission

Our mission is to drive sustainable and profitable growth through strategic investments, while always maintaining a commitment to quality and excellence.

  • Long-Term Competitive Sustainability: participate in businesses whose long-term competitive sustainability is based on our ability to, at all times, offer a superior value proposition to that of our competitors.
  • Consistent and Sustainable Return: invest only in businesses that, consistently and in the long term, allow obtaining a return on invested capital of at least 15 percentage points above the inflation rate.
  • High Liquidity: ensure that all our investments have high liquidity, providing flexibility and financial security.

Team

António Vieira de Almeida

Partner and Board Member

António has over 25 years of experience in the real estate, consumer goods and energy sectors in different geographies, including Portugal, Spain and Brazil.

Together with two other partners, he developed the Häagen-Dazs ice cream brand in Portugal in 1994 and in Brazil in 1998.

António has also launched two family real estate funds in Portugal, focused on office, logistics and commercial properties and has led several single asset deals for major international investors and family offices.

Outside of the real estate sector, António worked in Investment Banking at Deutsch Bank (Lisbon and Luxembourg).

António has a degree in Administration and Management from the Catholic University of Portugal and an MBA from Boston University.

Pedro van Zeller

Partner and Board Member

Pedro van Zeller é o fundador e managing partner da Beresford Capital.
Além disso, fundador e managing partner da Bluemint Capital Advisors, Pedro van Zeller desempenhou vários cargos de chefia nos serviços bancários e financeiros, nomeadamente como membro do Conselho de Administração do Banco Primus, do qual foi cofundador, e do BBVA Portugal.

For over 20 years he has built a consistent career in financial services that includes top positions at Midas Investimentos, Grupo Espírito Santo, Deutsche Bank and BCP. After successfully selling Banco Primus, in 2008 he decided to launch Absolut Midas (Bluemint Investment Advisors) which recently became part of Bluemint Capital Advisors. Furthermore, since 1994, together with two other partners, he developed the Häagen-Dazs ice cream brand in Portugal in 1994 and in Brazil in 1998.

Pedro van Zeller is an active entrepreneur, having funded investment initiatives in ventures ranging from consumer goods to high technology.

Miguel Poppe

Partner and Board Member

Miguel, an experienced real estate professional with over 30 years of experience, is currently managing partner of Grupo Imotécnica, where he has developed numerous projects and manages several real estate office buildings in Lisbon.

Além disso, é fundador e managing partner da 2BLocal, uma empresa Airbnb que explora vários apartamentos no centro histórico de Lisboa.
Para além do mercado imobiliário, Miguel, juntamente com outros dois sócios, lançou com sucesso a marca de gelados Häagen-Dazs em Portugal em 1994 e expandiu-se para o Brasil em 1998.

Today, the same partnership continues to thrive, investing in the real estate and credit intermediation sectors. This demonstrates Miguel's diverse experience and entrepreneurial spirit.

Mónica Galvão

General Manager DIDPA and Board Member

Mónica began her career at Caravela Alimentação in the Human Resources department, but quickly embraced the challenge of developing DIDPA's retail project in Portugal. She started in the commercial area and assumed several responsibilities throughout her career, currently holding the position of general manager and advisor.

Mónica has a degree in Human Resources and Work Psychology from ISLA, with a year of Business Administration at the University of Bath, England.

Sílvia de Sousa

General Manager Caravela Alimentação and Board Member

Sílvia built her career over 29 years at the same company, growing alongside the Häagen-Dazs Stores business in Portugal since 1995.

Starting out as a store assistant while still studying, she quickly demonstrated dedication and ability for new responsibilities.
Sílvia transitioned into the role of Store Manager across multiple stores, where she honed her skills in operations, customer service, and sales strategies. Her commitment to professional development led her to Director of Recruitment and Training, where she implemented training programs that improved employee performance and productivity. She soon assumed responsibility as Director of Operations. Her operational skills paved the way for her current role as Managing Director, a position she has held since 2018, with a focus on growth, innovation and excellence.

In addition to these roles, Sílvia has been a director of the company since 2022.
Sílvia’s academic background includes 3 years of studies in Management and Public Administration at the “Technical University of Lisbon – ISCSP”.

1998

Foundation of Caravela Gest SGPS, SA, which now holds 100% of DIDPA and Caravela Alimentação

Obtaining the Master Franchise for Häagen-Dazs Stores in Brazil

Foundation of Caravela Brasil, where Caravela Gest SGPS now holds 51% of the share capital

Opening of the first two Häagen-Dazs stores in Brazil in São Paulo

1999

Opening of two Häagen-Dazs stores in Rio de Janeiro

2000

Opening of the Häagen-Dazs Store in Brasilia

Opening of two more Häagen-Dazs stores in São Paulo

2001

Opening of a Häagen-Dazs store in São Paulo

Launch of the Casa do Pão de Queijo brand in Portugal and opening of the brand's first store in Lisbon

Creation of the Cheese Bread factory in Barcelona

2004

Closing of the Casa do Pão de Queijo business in Portugal

Sale of the Cheese Bread factory in Barcelona

2005

Sale of Häagen-Dazs Stores business in Brazil to Pillsbury

2017

Purchase of T Clube and Trigonometry properties in Quinta do Lago, Algarve

2019

Sale of the Trigonometria property to an investment fund after carrying out a project for offices and rentals for the multinational co-working company Regus

Acquisition of 50% of the credit intermediation company, Yes Crédito Ltda.

2023

Purchase of land for construction in Melides

2024

Purchase of 25% of the capital of the company Hey My Coffee in Spain