Apparcar
Smart parking app that guides drivers to available spots in real time — without sensors or hardware. Exit: acquired by Imperial Civil Enforcement Solutions (UK) to deploy the technology in the United Kingdom.
The challenge
In cities, a significant share of traffic is generated by drivers searching for parking (an estimate of ~30% is frequently cited). This means wasted time and stress for the driver, and for the city: congestion, noise, and more emissions. The usual solutions rely on per-space sensors — expensive, slow to deploy, and hard to scale.
The solution
Apparcar detects availability in real time using only usage signals and GPS, without installing sensors or hardware. The driver opens the app, sees availability near their destination, and heads directly to an open spot.
For city councils and operators, the platform provides real-time visibility into occupancy and search patterns, helping them better manage parking and reduce "search" traffic.
Traction
- Investment and acceleration at Wayra (Telefónica Open Future_).
- Partnerships with Telefónica and Ferrovial.
- Pilots in Madrid, Santiago de Compostela, Oviedo, and Northampton (UK) with 7,000+ drivers.
- Presence at industry events (e.g., Parkex, UK).
Acquisition (Exit)
In 2016, Imperial Civil Enforcement Solutions acquired Apparcar to integrate the technology and scale it in the United Kingdom.
My role
- Founder and CEO
- Product and model definition (free B2C + B2G/B2B monetization via data)
- Fundraising and Wayra acceleration
- Negotiation of partnerships (Telefónica, Ferrovial) and acquisition process (Imperial)
- Pilot leadership across 4 cities and initial UK expansion