BMW i Ventures buys in to ParkatmyHouse.com

BMW i-Ventures has taken a stake in UK website ParkatmyHouse.com, an innovative site helping homeowners rent parking space to commuters.

Earlier this year – when BMW launched their BMW-i Brand – there was also news of a new BMW company – BMW i Ventures – which BMW said they were setting up to invest in interesting stuff related to cars.

BMW stated their goal as “…to expand the range of products and services offered by BMW i in the long term by taking stakes in highly innovative service providers”, and their first investment was in to an app business –  My City Way – which provides users with information on public transportation, parking availability, and local entertainment.

BMW argue – very sensibly – that our fuel usage can be cut by using common sense and new technology. My City Way was a good start as it allowed users of its App to find parking spaces without wandering aimlessly round looking for somewhere to leave the car. Less frustration and less fuel.

In much the same vein, BMW i-Ventures has now taken a stake in UK website ParkatmyHouse (link), a website that helps drivers organise their parking in advance with the simple solution of getting homeowners to rent out space on their drives.

Not only does this simple solution allow drivers to have a space to park – usually for work or to commute – but it gives the homeowner a but of extra income.

The parking space is probably more secure than a public car park and often cheaper too. A quick look in our area – affluent home counties commuter belt – sees parking spaces within five minutes walk of the station at around £70 a month. Cheap and convenient.

ParkatmyHouse has been online since 2006, during which time more than 15,000 home and business owners have rented out otherwise unused space. In the last year alone homeowners have earned more than £1 million renting out parking space through ParkatmyHouse.

The man from BMW, Dr Bernhard Blaettel, said:

We see parking as a key asset for mobility services today and in the near future. ParkatmyHouse offers an innovative solution to those seeking parking spaces today.

Sensible, joined-up investment from BMW, which doubtless brought a big smile to the face of ParkatmyHouse founder Anthony Eskinazi.