Dec 3, 2018

Scoop: SoftBank to invest in parking startup ParkJockey

Kia Kokalitcheva

Photo by Dmitry Serebryakov/TASS via Getty Images

SoftBank Group is leading a large investment in parking startup ParkJockey, largely to finance planned acquisitions of parking lot operators Impark and Lanier, Axios has learned.

The big picture: ParkJockey's ambition is to displace garage operators by selling a technology-based alternative to the garage owners, according to a pitch deck from March. It then wants to sell space access to customers like ride-hail and car rental companies.

This strategy fits nicely with other trends SoftBank is betting on, including autonomous driving, ride-hailing, on-demand delivery services, and real estate.

Abu Dhabi's Mubadala and a lender are joining as part of a "consortium," possibly with more investors.
One source pegs puts the deal total at around $800 million, including debt financing, while another says it's $1 billion total with ParkJockey CEO Ari Ojalvo maintaining control.

The companies and investors declined to comment or did not respond.

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Scoop: SoftBank to invest in parking startup ParkJockey

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