Citifyd

Citifyd is a technology firm that developed a multi-faceted, app-based platform to address urban parking challenges for drivers, parking facility operators, and local businesses. Founded in 2014 by the father-son duo Sohrab and Aria Vossoughi, the Portland-based company was established to streamline the often-stressful experience of finding and paying for parking in metropolitan areas and at large events. Sohrab Vossoughi, who had previously founded the major international design and innovation consultancy ZIBA Design in 1984, brought decades of experience in product development and user-centric design from his work with global brands like Hewlett-Packard, Nike, and Microsoft. His background in industrial design and innovation was instrumental in shaping Citifyd's approach to creating a seamless mobility solution.

The company's business model serves three key clients: everyday drivers, parking providers, and local merchants. For drivers, Citifyd offers a mobile application that allows them to find, reserve, and pay for parking spaces in advance, either on-demand or for specific events. This contactless system eliminates the need for physical payments at kiosks and reduces the time spent searching for a spot. For parking providers, such as owners of lots and garages, Citifyd provides a comprehensive management platform to digitize their inventory and operations. This includes tools for real-time inventory tracking, pricing optimization, and reporting, which helps increase revenue and operational efficiency. The platform's hardware solutions, such as SmartVision™ and the Rover™ mobile POS, offer advanced capabilities like vehicle detection and mobile payment processing.

A distinct feature of Citifyd's model is its validation rewards program, which connects local businesses with drivers. Merchants can offer parking discounts and validations to customers through the app, creating a proximity-marketing tool that drives foot traffic and commerce. This creates a symbiotic ecosystem where drivers save money, businesses gain customers, and parking operators see increased facility usage. The company's revenue is generated through these integrated services, including fees from parking transactions and partnerships with businesses. On March 11, 2025, Citifyd was strategically acquired by Events.com, an event management platform. The acquisition aimed to integrate Citifyd's parking solutions directly into the event planning and ticketing process, offering a more holistic experience for event organizers and attendees.

Keywords: smart parking, parking management platform, urban mobility, mobile parking payment, event parking solutions, parking reservation app, Sohrab Vossoughi, contactless parking, parking validation, local commerce, mobility services, Aria Vossoughi, parking technology, ZIBA Design, Events.com acquisition, smart city technology, vehicle detection, real-time inventory, proximity marketing, parking analytics