Dryvo: the app that wants to be the "Waze" of parking and help drivers find a space

Dryvo, a startup incubated at UPTEC – Science and Technology Park of the University of Porto, has launched an app that aims to solve the final stage of any car journey: finding a parking space. Using reports from its own community and a system that predicts the likelihood of a free space in an area, the app allows drivers to reduce the time they spend looking for parking.

When opening the app, users can search for their destination or browse the map to find parking areas. For each area, they can see whether parking is free or paid, along with opening hours and tariffs, the estimated number of spaces and the likelihood of finding a free one.

Founded in 2025 by João Brito, João Coelho and Hugo Martins, Dryvo determines the spaces available in a given area by combining an algorithm that analyses historical patterns to predict availability with real-time input from the app's community of drivers, who can flag when and where spaces are free or occupied. Users who interact directly with the app by logging new updates can earn discounts at local partners and other benefits.

The app is now available in Porto, Lisbon, Maia and Felgueiras, covering more than 200 000 parking spaces across the four cities. In around a month, it has already won over 2400 users, with a goal of reaching ten thousand by the end of the year.

Following the launch in the areas where the team has mapped the first perimeters, Dryvo's priorities now focus on strengthening and expanding the network across the whole country: "Our goal for 2026 is to cover all of mainland Portugal, but the long-term vision is to see Dryvo used globally, giving people the peace of mind of getting into the car without the anxiety of not knowing where they will park," concludes João Brito, co-founder of Dryvo.

The Dryvo app is now available to download for free on the Google Play Store and the App Store.