Dryvo, a platform that helps drivers find available public parking, has launched in Porto, Maia, and Felgueiras, reaching around 2,000 users as it prepares to enter Lisbon next.
“We help drivers find parking in real time, through a collaborative network where users themselves share information. Think of it as the Waze of parking,” founder João Brito told Portugal Startup News.
Available on iOS, Android, and the web, Dryvo combines real-time reports from drivers with predictions based on historical reporting patterns to help users identify available public parking spaces.
Reporting, mapping, and rewards
Drivers can report whether parking spaces are free or occupied, with those updates then appearing for other users in the area. When recent reports are unavailable, Dryvo uses historical reporting patterns for the location and time to predict availability.
Dryvo says it uses location data only to show nearby parking and improve availability forecasts, does not sell user data to third parties, and complies with GDPR.
The platform also allows users to flag inaccurate information, including parking spaces that no longer exist, incorrect prices, and outdated schedules.
According to Dryvo, these reports are reviewed by its moderation team. Users can also contribute to the map by identifying parking areas that have not yet been mapped.
Dryvo uses a rewards system to encourage participation. Each report earns users XP and DVC, the platform’s internal currency. XP contributes to users’ levels, while DVC can be exchanged for discounts at local partners.
Documented parking challenges
Portugal’s passenger car market has continued to grow. According to ACAP, the Portuguese Automobile Association, 169,323 new passenger cars were registered between January and August 2026, up 9.5% from the same period in 2025.
The effects of searching for parking have also been documented in Lisbon, Dryvo’s next planned market.
A peer-reviewed University of Lisbon case study found that an average of 10% of observed traffic in the study area was cruising for parking, highlighting the broader impact of parking searches on congestion, fuel use, and emissions.
Dryvo incorporates these broader urban and environmental concerns into its mission, linking its model to three UN Sustainable Development Goals.
It cites Goal 11, Sustainable Cities and Communities, through more efficient urban mobility, and Goal 13, Climate Action, through reducing unnecessary driving, fuel use, and related emissions.
It also references Goal 1, No Poverty, through a future initiative aimed at involving underserved communities in validating parking availability, with the goal of creating social inclusion and income opportunities.
Portugal expansion and global ambitions
Dryvo’s immediate expansion remains focused on Portugal, with Lisbon next. The platform is focused on nationwide expansion this year, while international growth remains a longer-term ambition.
“Our goal for 2026 is to cover all of mainland Portugal, but the bigger vision is to see Dryvo used globally, giving people the peace of mind to get in the car without anxiety, even when heading somewhere unfamiliar,” Brito said.
Featured image: From left: Dryvo founder João Brito with team members Hugo Martins and João Coelho (Photo courtesy of Dryvo)
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