Abhaya Uprety never imagined he would find himself living in a small studio apartment in New Mexico, carefully rationing groceries while building software for a company struggling to find its footing. An international student who graduated in May 2020, Uprety co-founded ParkStash—a startup initially focused on making parking reservations work in a way similar to short-term rental platforms. “We started off with the idea of being a sort of Airbnb for parking, focusing on everyday drivers,” Uprety said. “But as an international student fresh out of college, I didn’t have much room for trial and error. The stakes were always high.” His journey with ParkStash began by working alongside founder and CEO Sameer, an international student at San Jose State University. Inspired by his own struggles with limited campus parking, Sameer set out to build a parking platform. “He saw a problem and thought, ‘What if we connect people who have spare parking spaces with those who desperately need them?’” recalled Uprety. Over time, Uprety became the technology hub of the operation, single-handedly creating the company’s software stack. He handled mobile development using Flutter and Android, wrote server-side code in NodeJS, built dashboards with React, and more. By May 2020, when he officially joined ParkStash as a co-founder, the company was still focused on a business-to-consumer (B2C) model—allowing drivers to find and book private parking spots for a fee. Although people grasped the concept, the timing was challenging, especially given the pandemic’s impact on daily commuting patterns. Revenues remained inconsistent, and the burn rate was high. “I moved to New Mexico in early 2022,” said Uprety, “and lived in low-income housing, with no car, just enough to pay the rent and buy food. Still, I believed wholeheartedly in what we were doing.” From B2C to B2B: A Pivotal Shift By late 2022, ParkStash decided on a major pivot: from catering directly to individual drivers to providing a streamlined software solution for parking lot owners, property managers, and commercial sites. “We realized quickly that our real value was in helping the people who manage multiple parking spots,” remarked Uprety. “B2C was a fantastic idea in principle, but the market conditions and revenue model weren’t lining up for us. We needed a stable business structure, and that’s when we refocused our efforts on B2B.” The results of this pivot began to show almost immediately. ParkStash introduced subscription-based services for parking lot owners, offering tools like automated gate access control, permit management, camera-based monitoring, towing integrations, and a centralized dashboard for enforcement. “We demonstrate to property managers how their parking lot can turn into a revenue-producing asset,” said Uprety. “They see the potential to manage permits, catch violations, and even implement special promotions for residents or commercial tenants. That’s where the real growth started.” It did not take long for ParkStash to prove its value proposition. According to the INRIX 2017 Global Traffic Scorecard, American drivers spend an average of 17 hours per year searching for parking, costing them around 345 dollars each in wasted time, fuel, and emissions (INRIX 2017 Global Traffic Scorecard). Meanwhile, the International Parking & Mobility Institute has reported that up to 30 percent of city traffic can be caused by motorists circling for a spot (International Parking & Mobility Institute, 2019). ParkStash’s pivot to B2B tackled these issues by enabling large sites to optimize the use of parking space, reduce congestion, and offer reliable spots. “It’s not just about convenience,” Uprety explained. “We’re also addressing a real economic and environmental challenge.” By November 2022, the startup had completely embraced the B2B model. As of 2024, it has expanded to manage roughly 50 sites under contract, offering its clients a monthly subscription fee and optional add-ons like camera surveillance. “We are finally seeing real financial stability,” noted Uprety. “It’s been a whirlwind, but this pivot saved the company.” A Personal Triumph and New Industry Impact Part of ParkStash’s success story lies in Uprety’s resilience, honed by personal financial struggles and the uncertainties of running a startup. “There were times I doubted everything,” he said. “I was barely scraping by. But I’m passionate about programming, and I’m passionate about solving big problems. That passion kept me going.” His vision extends far beyond just booking parking spots. ParkStash’s B2B solution integrates with hardware installations, camera providers like Eagle Eye Networks, and towing services to form a cohesive ecosystem for property owners. “When we partner with a property, we handle as much as they need,” he explained. “Gate access, software dashboards, user-friendly permit assignment, a towing company for immediate violations, even a portal where folks can pay citations securely. We piece it all together so it’s one smooth experience.” The impact of this model goes beyond individual driveways or commercial lots. Properly managed parking means fewer cars circling the block, which can help lessen congestion and reduce carbon emissions. “It’s rewarding to think that we’re contributing to a more sustainable urban environment,” Uprety said. “Any time a driver reserves a spot and goes straight there without driving around in circles, that’s fuel saved, money saved, and time saved.” ParkStash’s evolution has also fueled new partnerships and job creation. By contracting with hardware installers, surveillance camera vendors, and towing operators, the startup is boosting smaller businesses. “One of my favorite parts is seeing how local entrepreneurs and technicians benefit from working with us,” Uprety added. “Our model depends on collaboration, so when we grow, they grow too.” For property owners, ParkStash’s platform can transform a previously overlooked or under-utilized asset—the parking lot—into a managed, revenue-generating space. “Parking can be complicated,” said Uprety. “But once we set up proper signage, digital enforcement, and streamlined user apps, these lots become smarter, more secure, and more profitable.” The company’s approach aligns with broader shifts toward smart cities, where digital infrastructure meets everyday needs like transportation and energy usage. “We’re not just building an app,” he stressed. “We’re helping shape what urban life could look like in the future.” Looking Ahead: Freedom, Innovation, and the Next Chapter For all of ParkStash’s accomplishments, Uprety remains keenly focused on personal and professional growth. Living on a shoestring budget in New Mexico until late 2023 taught him the value of efficiency—not just in code, but in day-to-day life. “We run lean on purpose,” he said. “We don’t do endless meetings. We talk to customers, gather feedback, and then get back to work. The best ideas come directly from the people who are actually using the product.” This customer-driven approach continues to shape ParkStash’s development roadmap. One key request from clients has been the ability to use mobile devices for license plate scanning, enabling easier on-site enforcement without costly specialized hardware. “We’re prototyping a feature that turns a phone or tablet camera into a plate reader,” Uprety revealed. “If an apartment manager can walk around the lot with their device and immediately see whether a car has a valid permit, that’s an instant productivity boost.” AI enhancements are also on the horizon. ParkStash aims to introduce voice-assisted technology that allows drivers to book a spot or extend a reservation without tapping through multiple screens. “I love exploring how AI can make our tools even more convenient,” Uprety said. “But we want to do it in a way that’s genuinely helpful, not just flashy. If it doesn’t solve a real user need, we’re not interested in building it.” Uprety’s personal satisfaction also stems from the company’s flexible culture—one that prioritizes hands-on coding and minimal bureaucracy. “I enjoy the freedom to innovate,” he noted. “We’re not weighed down by massive organizational hierarchies. Every feature we release is a direct result of real feedback and quick decision-making. That’s important to me because it feels honest, efficient, and human.” His journey from a financially strained international student to a proven thought leader in the parking tech space is a testament to resilience, passion, and strategic pivoting. “I look back on those months in New Mexico and think, if I hadn’t struggled, I wouldn’t have learned half of what I know now,” he said. “Sometimes, you have to run into walls to figure out how to build a better door.” As for ParkStash, the mission continues to expand. “We started with a simple concept: help people find a parking spot. Now, we’re helping businesses, communities, and entire cities manage a critical part of their infrastructure,” Uprety explained. “When I see a property manager rave about how easy it is to run their lots now, that’s the best possible validation.” Long-term, the company plans to keep improving its products while venturing into related areas of urban mobility. Its rising reputation, especially in the U.S. market, suggests potential partnerships with larger tech players and municipalities keen on adopting smart city solutions. “We’re building something that can evolve,” he said. “New features, new integrations, new ways to streamline how people move through cities. That’s a challenge that excites me.” In the end, what sets Uprety apart is the combination of technical prowess and a humble but determined spirit. By daring to pivot, ParkStash has charted a path that delivers meaningful solutions to property owners, drivers, and entire communities. “We’re just getting started,” he said, smiling. “The future of parking—and smart cities in general—holds endless possibilities. I’m just glad I get to help shape it, one line of code at a time. This story was authored under HackerNoon’s Business Blogging Program. This story was authored under HackerNoon’s Business Blogging Program. This story was authored under HackerNoon’s Business Blogging Program. This story was authored under HackerNoon’s Business Blogging Program. Business Blogging Program

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