1-2-3 Parkplatzfrei

1-2-3 Parkplatzfrei GmbH, founded in 2019 by Tim Hummel and Bruce Sharma, operates a digital platform to address inefficiently used parking spaces in urban areas. The founders, who have known each other since they were 17 and previously started a software company together during their high school years, were inspired to create the platform after a business acquaintance struggled with unauthorized vehicles occupying their customer parking. The company is headquartered in Karlsruhe, Germany.

The core of the business is a mobile application that connects drivers with owners of private and commercial parking spots. This B2C model allows property owners—individuals and companies alike—to generate revenue from their parking spaces when they are not in use. Drivers can search for, reserve, and pay for parking in advance, navigating directly to the guaranteed spot. To ensure exclusivity, many of the listed parking spaces are equipped with smart barriers that users can operate via the app upon arrival. This system not only provides convenience for drivers but also aims to reduce inner-city traffic, a significant portion of which is attributed to the search for parking.

Revenue is generated through the platform, which facilitates payments via methods like PayPal, Klarna, and credit cards. The service is structured as a two-sided marketplace, serving drivers seeking convenient parking and property owners looking to monetize their assets. The company has received support from accelerator programs, including ESA BIC Hessen & Baden-Württemberg, CyberLab, and Start-up BW, securing $53K in an accelerator/incubator funding round in January 2023.

Keywords: parking solution, mobile application, shared economy, smart city, IoT, property technology, urban mobility, marketplace, reservation platform, traffic reduction