Nothing is final until it’s final, but a strong partnership between Uber and parking reservation app SpotHero could be on the horizon.
Ridesharing media went abuzz first day of 2026 with the report that says Uber may be partnering with SpotHero soon.
Based in Chicago, SpotHero is a parking reservation app that makes it super easier for people to find and reserve parking spaces.
Finding parking spaces is a dilemma for several individuals, taking up so much time, such as when a family visits a shopping mall.
According to data from the International Parking & Mobility Institute, 92 percent of respondents globally highlighted difficulties in finding parking spaces, with 18 percent of drivers in the USA experiencing issues every time. It is a “universal pain.”
Uber is reportedly in talks with SpotHero, but it is still unclear how much Uber is willing to spend on the acquisition. Reports suggest that SpotHero received a whopping $290 million valuation after landing its last funding round, a $50 million Series D raise that closed in 2019.
SpotHero serves over 400 cities in North America. They provide access to thousands of lots and garages operated by their partners. The company told Ridesharing Forum that they have helped customers park over 100 million cars since their launch in the illustrious 2011 year.
There’s more to those that SpotHero can do. The platform also allows its customers reserve parking spots by the hour, day, or month, so they can schedule their trips and parkings. Plus, those who cannot access the parking spaces they booked are entitled to a money-back guarantee. There are also discounts.
For businesses and developers, SpotHero is a blessing. SpotHero also has the SpotHero for Business, which enables firms to book parking spaces for employees, which is helpful during huge business events.
Meanwhile, for developers, SpotHero provides an application programming interface that makes it possible for this platform to integrate into external services, such as an automaker and a venue operator, for instance.
SpotHero also makes use of an API that other organizations benefit from. These include public transit operators and ridesharing providers. That means if an acquisition materializes, Uber could utilize the platform to offer assistance to drivers within the network, enabling them to find parking spots more quickly. That means better customer services, too.
With SpotHero integrating with Uber, the ridesharing app’s autonomous car fleet could benefit. Ridesharing Forum was right in the middle of the action last year, mid-year, when the company unveiled plans to make up to 20,000 self-driving taxis available via the ridesharing app. More so, autonomous cars may theoretically utilize SpotHero’s data on the location and availability of parking spots to drop off passengers closer to their destinations. This is helpful in travel destinations that face lots of crowds. Business-wise, Uber could take advantage of its market reach to scale up SpotHero’s API business.
While things are not yet official, Ridesharing Forum would love to hear your insights on this matter. Share your thoughts by signing up for that account.