Born from a student project, shaped by its users and still free. This is the story of Gaveta.net — your online USB drive.
Online for over 20 years, and still here.
Two friends and an idea at university
Gaveta.net began in December 2005, created by António Maia Afonso and Ricardo Antunes, close friends and fellow students at the Polytechnic Institute of Castelo Branco.
An end-of-semester assignment grew into a practical way to store and carry files between computers without relying on a USB drive, a CD or email attachments. The idea of “your online USB drive” was born.
Storing online before it became a habit
In 2005, cloud storage was not yet part of everyday life for many users. Moving documents between computers often meant email attachments, CDs or USB drives. Gaveta offered another approach: a personal virtual disk, accessible through a browser, where files waited for the next visit. Your online USB drive, before storing in the cloud became a habit.
In 2005, storage was more limited and expensive, and internet connections were slower. Building the service required careful use of resources and attention to the user experience.
Gaveta moved beyond the classroom. Hundreds of people used it in its early years, and Gaveta went on to reach thousands of users.
From student life to entrepreneurship
The creators went on to become entrepreneurs and take on responsibilities in critical activities and systems. Their experience and responsibilities grew, while Gaveta remained part of their story.
What started as coursework became a lasting service, connected to the people who entrusted it with files from their everyday lives.
After 20 years, António Maia Afonso and Ricardo Antunes remain involved in the project, bringing their daily commitment and support to the platform. Its creators continue to care for Gaveta, its users and the ongoing development of the service.
Área de Serviço — Serviço Público e Web Services
Gaveta’s story is also linked to Área de Serviço — Serviço Público e Web Services, the first company created by one of its founders.
Área de Serviço provided free hosting for everyone, in both academic and business settings. That commitment to making the Internet more accessible is part of Gaveta’s story and heritage.
Refreshed design, improved features
Gaveta.net remains free. The new version updates how people organise, find and share files while preserving the original idea: a personal space accessible through a browser.
Gaveta continues to evolve within the ENTER Apps portfolio, with a refreshed interface and improved features, while its creators remain at the helm. It remains a Portuguese project born between friends and shaped by its users.
Free, with support for the future
Gaveta.net remains free and is now backed by cloud infrastructure and technical support from ENTER.PT, which works with servers, hosting and digital solutions for businesses.
This support sustains the project and its evolution within the ENTER Apps portfolio. The new version reflects that commitment: maintaining the service, caring for its users and continuing to improve it. An idea born in 2005, with room for the future.
Told by those who were there
This account is based on records and information provided by the creators.
Gaveta through the years
Remember this screen? For many users, this was the entrance to their Gaveta. We preserve this image of the previous version as part of the project’s history.