Startup profile for SpotHero: what they do, why they are interesting, stage (growth), industries, and links to our funding articles. Part of the Venture Capital Tracker startup directory.
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SpotHero

Chicago parking reservation marketplace connecting drivers with garages, lots, and event parking across North America.

Stage

growth

Status

private

Coverage

full

Overview

SpotHero operates a mobile and web marketplace for reserving parking in garages, lots, and event venues. Founded in Chicago in 2011 by Mark Lawrence, Jeremy Smith, and Larry Kiss, the company graduated from Excelerate Labs (now Techstars Chicago) and raised a $2.5M seed (Dec 2012) before a $4.5M Series A (Jun 2014) with Chicago Ventures, Battery Ventures, Pritzker Group Venture Capital, Lightbank, and others. Subsequent rounds included $20M Series B (2015), $30M Series C (Jul 2017), and $50M Series D led by Macquarie Capital (Aug 2019), bringing total funding to roughly $118M. The platform now serves 300+ cities in the U.S. and Canada.

Why SpotHero is interesting

1871/Techstars Chicago graduate that turned city parking data into a national marketplace — Chicago Ventures led its Series A and the cap table stacks Midwest seed names (Lightbank, OCA) with Battery and 500 Startups before $118M+ total raised through Series D (2019).

Key facts

  • Series A (Jun 2014): $4.5M — Chicago Ventures, Battery, Pritzker Group VC, Lightbank participated
  • Series D (Aug 2019): $50M led by Macquarie Capital; ~$118M total raised
  • Founded Chicago 2011; Techstars/1871 alum; 300+ city marketplace
  • MATH Venture Partners and Chicago Ventures portfolio anchor for local mobility/marketplace comps

Fundraising history

Series D

2019-08 $50M
  • Macquarie Capital (lead)

Series A

2014-06 $4.5M

Source: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/on-demand-parking-app-spothero-raises-45-million-in-series-a-funding-262685051.html

Investors in our directory

Funds linked from SpotHero's profile — open a fund page for stage focus and related deal articles.

Chicago Ventures MATH Venture Partners Battery Ventures

Industries

Marketplaces Consumer Enterprise SaaS

Related funding articles

Venture Capital Tracker pieces that cover SpotHero's financing or category context.

FAQs about SpotHero

Practical answers founders, operators, and investors typically search for.

Chicago, Illinois, with additional offices historically in San Diego and New York City.
Chicago Ventures participated in the Series A; MATH Venture Partners lists SpotHero in its portfolio. Lightbank, OCA Ventures, and Pritzker Group Venture Capital also appear in early rounds.
Yes — private as of our July 2026 coverage. Last major disclosed round was Series D (2019).
Classic Midwest marketplace path: local incubator → seed syndicate → Chicago Ventures Series A → national growth capital — without leaving Chicago HQ.
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Last updated: 2026-07-29