According to the Portland Business Journal, the money will be used to build a platform to help footwear designers launch new products.

'Partnering with Rooy is a huge step in empowering aspiring designers worldwide to fulfill their dreams of seeing their own designs brought to market on a global scale,' said Pensole founder D'Wayne Edwards, in a news release. 'Our new partnership will also provide students the opportunity to experience the entire process from sketch to sampling to final product.'

Pensole Footwear Design Academy founder D'Wayne Edwards on Monday announced a $4 million investment round raised in partnership with San Francisco-based Rooy Inc. The money will be used to build an online platform to help aspiring designers.

The platform will let aspiring designers submit designs for Web-based review and voting. Winners will work with San Francisco-based Rooy and Portland-based Pensole to develop prototypes and shoes for retail sale.

'Joining forces with Pensole in Portland will change the game for emerging designers and brands,' Rooy founder Ryan Kang said, in a news release. 'Our community members are extremely supportive of one another, and integrating the Pensole educational programs and materials into the community will take our pursuit of great design to a whole new level.'

The money also will be used for scholarships and to create three new programs, including ones for business, online and minorities.

Founded in 2010, Pensole has educated more than 100 aspiring shoe designers. Its graduates are employed by companies ranging from Columbia Sportswear to Timberland.

Rooy works with designers to develop, manufacture and market designs.