Enabling future mobility – IAA with CODE_n alumnus parkpocket

Future mobility – that was the name of one of the four themes of this year’s CODE_n CONTEST. Ten out of our 50 finalists had ideas revolving around this particular internet of things topic. Now two of these finalists – parkpocket and has.to.be – are currently presenting their business models at the International Automotive fair (IAA) in Frankfurt (17 – 27 September).

With 219 world premieres, 1.103 exhibitors from 39 countries and up to 1 million visitors, the fair is not only one of the largest automotive exhibitions; it also brings the latest trends concerning connected mobility. It is therefore no surprise that apart from the CODE_n15 finalists, with carzapp an additional alumnus is on board as well.

To put it briefly: Frankfurt is currently the place to be, at least, if your business has anything to do with mobility. The IAA has even come up with a special “New Mobility World”, a meeting place for representatives of the auto industry, high-tech companies and mobility service providers. The new exhibition area is split up into five categories: Electric vehicle plaza, Mobility Solution Center, Multimodal Market Hall, Urban Solution Market and Digital Infrastructure.

Three CODE_n alumni in the middle of the New Mobility World

Our CODE_n13 alumnus carzapp is presenting their business model in the Mobility Solution Center, in which the focus lies on technologies and services for business clients such as carsharing/mobility, fleet management technologies and services.

The New Mobility World, aiming to enable future mobility, also presents a startup zone, in which our two CODE_n alumni has.to.be and parkpocket are stationed. The startup world is particularly intending to bridge the gap between innovation and tradition in the mobility sector.

CODE_n alumnus parkpocket – constantly driving their business

It’s in the mentioned startup area, where we met Stefan Bader (CEO of parkpocket) after his panel discussion with other young entrepreneurs. We talked to him about the IAA, new developments within his company and further ambitions for the rest of this year:

Stefan, give us an impression of the IAA – especially from a mobility startup perspective?

Stefan: Being part of the IAA for the first time has been a great experience so far. This year the IAA gives startups a platform in the New Mobility World, a new concept creating a different vibe compared to the massive stands of the big automotive companies. For us as mobility startup it is important to have exposure here on the IAA since nearly all our relevant B2B customers are present. But also in terms of exploring new ideas and finding potential partners the IAA is a huge opportunity for us.

Speaking of great opportunities: I’m sure you’ve been more than busy in the last couple of months since CODE_n15 ended. Give us an update of what has happened for your startup and what is yet to come?

Stefan: You are right; the last months were super busy! After CeBIT we went to product development mode and worked very hard on a new app that will be available this fall for iOS and Android in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. After the great success of the BETA Version of our parkpocket App, we spend a lot of time to further develop and improve our service by adding new features, improving the performance and usability. We also developed several data quality assurance mechanisms being able to provide the highest data quality available on the market to our users and B2B customers.

You recently launched a new website. Has this anything to do with the new product details?

Stefan: Right, we´ve launched a new website just for the IAA already leaking some information and insights of our new app. However, if somebody wants more information or watch a video demo presenting the the new app, we are happy to welcome you to our booth at the IAA 2015 in Hall 3.1 in the Startup Zone.

It was a pleasure seeing you once again – best of luck from the whole CODE_n team!