Tag Archives for: Meter Feeder

METER FEEDER SELECTED FOR GOOGLE FOR STARTUPS BLACK FOUNDERS FUND

September 21, 2021

 

 

 

METER FEEDER SELECTED FOR GOOGLE FOR STARTUPS BLACK FOUNDERS FUND

 

 

 

 

Jim Gibbs is one of 50 founders selected for Google for Startups program focused on high potential startups from Black entrepreneurs based in the U.S.

 

 

 

Pittsburgh, PA — September 21, 2021 — Meter Feeder today announced it was selected to join the second coho of the Google for Startups Black Founders Fund, a $10 million initiative designed for Black founders, who are building great companies yet are often locked out of access to the funding that is critical to their success.

Last year, Google for Startups gave 76 Black-led startups up to $100,000 in non-dilutive funding, helping them keep their doors open, pay their employees, and focus on building their businesses. With this second $5 million investment in the U.S. Black Founders Fund, 50 more founders across the United States will receive $100,000 in non-dilutive capital, meaning founders do not give up any ownership in their company in exchange for funding. The fund also includes technical support from tools and teams across Google, including as much as $120,000 in donated search Ads from Google.org and up to $100,000 in Google Cloud credits. Last year, founders who received awards went on to raise more than $50M in capital and 80% of recipients used the funding to create jobs.

Meter Feeder, a Pittsburgh-based tech start-up with the goal of keeping cities at the forefront of the newest smart parking technology, is one of a select few high potential startups that the Google for Staups team has selected for this year’s nationwide cohort.

“Meter Feeder applied to the second cohort of the Google for Staups Black Founders Fund in late 2020 in hopes of receiving additional funding to expand our business operations,” says Jim Gibbs, founder of Meter Feeder. “As a Black founder, we oen nd that there are extra hurdles to jump over when it comes to raising money. Google for Startups has taken a huge leap in providing non-dilutive capital to continue to expand the Meter Feeder team, further adapt to the future of autonomous parking, and develop new features within the app.”

“The Google for Startups Black Founders Fund embodies our mission of helping underrepresented founders grow their businesses. We are excited to continue the fund and contribute funding to Black founders, with no strings aached. Black founders currently receive less than 1 percent of total VC funding,” says Jewel Burks Solomon, Head of Google for Startups US. “We heard loud and clear from the 2020 fund recipients that Google for Startups and Goodie Nation have been crucial to their success not only through funding, but through community, mentorship, network connections and technical expertise.”

“Our advisors will be working with the founders to discuss business pain points, offer introductions to customers and investors and provide regular therapy sessions and forums to support recipients emotionally and professionally,” says Joey Womack, CEO of Goodie Nation.

Parking is no longer run by loose change and rusting meters, it’s connected with our phones, our cars, and our municipalities who monitor digital parking meters. At Meter Feeder, we remove the burden, fees, and frustration that surrounds parking. We put the power into your hands (or your phones or cars) to make sure you never get a late fee again. How? Well, we’ve built a way to pay for parking that is easier for citizens, cheaper for cities and even works with old-school meters.

“Paying for parking is often a painful part of our daily life that we ignore, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Meter Feeder intends to change that perspective and bring parking into the 21st century to meet consumer demands,” says Jim Gibbs, founder of Meter Feeder. “We make parking simple.”

ABOUT GOOGLE FOR STARTUPS

Google for Startups works to level the playing field for startup founders and communities to succeed by bringing the best of Google’s products, connections, and best practices to startups. Paired with a deep commitment to create diverse startup communities, many of our offerings are designed specically to provide underrepresented founders with access to resources and opportunities. We support startups everywhere to build something better. Because when startups succeed, we all succeed.

ABOUT METER FEEDER

Meter Feeder, a Pittsburgh-based tech startup, was founded in 2014 by Jim Gibbs. After completing Y Combinator’s W16 cohort, Meter Feeder set out on a mission to change the future of parking. Meter Feeder has raised over $2 million in seed and pre-seed funding, with the goal of keeping cities at the forefront of the newest smart parking technology. Meter Feeder has now been fully deployed in Pittsburgh and Cedar Rapids, as well as New Jersey Transit via Nexus Parking Systems. Visit www.meteeeder.com or follow us on social media (Twier, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn) for more information.

Meter Feeder Invited to KDKA’s TechnoVation Networking Event to Display Success of Pittsburgh Startup Scene

September 28, 2018

 

 

Meter Feeder Invited to KDKA’s TechnoVation Networking Event to Display Success of Pittsburgh Startup Scene.

 

 

 

Pittsburgh (PA)– KDKA-TV invited technology lovers and innovative companies alike to the Renaissance Hotel in downtown Pittsburgh last week on September 21st. The local news station hosted “Pittsburgh’s most innovative networking event” – TechnoVation. The event invited the public to “hear from key corporations, city leaders, innovators, and organizations that are working together to lead the way into the future of technology”.

 

 

 

The event was based around a panel discussion with local professionals and experts discussing the rise of technology in pittsburgh as well as its importance to the growth of the city. The panel was hosted by well-recognized KDKA political analyst Jon Delano.

 

MeterFeeder was invited by Pittsburgh based investor / accelerator Innovation Works to show off the success of a minority-owned startup software company in Pittsburgh. The invitation was sent out by panelist Terri Glueck, the Director of Communications and Community Development for Innovation Works. Innovation Works helps hundreds of startups every year in the Pittsburgh area, with an overarching goal to assist in Pittsburgh’s economic transformation and demonstrate the value of local startups and innovators. MeterFeeder set up a table at the event and educated guests on its pay-by-phone and new pay-by-vehicle products before and after the panel discussion.

 

Other notable panelists included Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto, President of Argo AI Peter Rander, and Philips Head of Quality and Compliance Vaishali Hegde.

 

Learn more about Meter Feeder at www.meterfeeder.com

 

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Meter Feeder CEO Speaks to African-American Coders at All Star Code

July 16, 2018

 

 

Meter Feeder CEO Speaks to African-American Coders at All Star Code

 

 

 

Pittsburgh (PA)– Meter Feeder CEO Jim Gibbs was invited to speak at the non-profit All Star Codelast week. All Star Code is a New York City based non-profit that teaches African-American and Latino teenage boys how to code with the goal of turning them into entrepreneurs. The event took place on July 12th at the University of Pittsburgh School of Education in partnership with Chatham University. This was the second year that All Star Code hosted their camps in Pittsburgh.

 

 

Mr. Gibbs met with the students during the week of classes and discussed what it’s like being a programmer and entrepreneur. He discussed his experiences that led him to his current success. He shared his challenges throughout his life and career and how the students can overcome challenges of their own. The talk ended with advice on how to become future tech leaders and a question and answer session.

 

The City of Pittsburgh was chosen as a new city of All Star Code in 2017 thanks to its continued efforts to becoming a tech focused city since the decline of the steel industry. Amazon is even considering a new headquarters in the city. After the event, Mr. Gibbs had this to say, “It was great seeing a group of intelligent and energetic young men focused on building careers in an area that they are passionate about. I’m humbled that they would invite me to do something like this, and I’m excited to help out any way that I can in the future.” He hopes that All Star Code continues to operate in Pittsburgh.

 

Learn more about Meter Feeder at www.meterfeeder.com

 

 

Meter Feeder, Inc. Certified as Minority and Disadvantaged Business in PA

April 19, 2017

 

Meter Feeder, Inc. Certified as Minority and Disadvantaged Business in PA

 

 

Pittsburgh, Pa. – April, 2017 Meter Feeder, Inc. has been certified by the Allegheny County Department of MA/V/DBE, a certifying participant in the Pennsylvania Unified Certification Program (PA UCP), as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE). Recognized to provide ‘Software as a Service’ in the parking industry, MeterFeeder™ will be able to participate and fulfill minority and disadvantaged business requirements in Pennsylvania.

 

 

MeterFeeder has been offering cutting-edge parking technology since 2014 providing a smartphone app, enforcement software and tools, and a comprehensive back-office administrative platform. With more municipal and city clients on board using MeterFeeder’s parking technology, the Minority and Disadvantaged Business Certification adds to their unique business model.

 

Steve Falatovich, MeterFeeder’s Chief Financial Officer, sees this as a tremendous opportunity. “This certification shows how a small business, especially a minority-owned business can get recognition and move forward. We are proud representatives of the thriving business community in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and looking forward to forge new relationships, ” remarked Mr. Falatovich, who has worked tirelessly to achieve this distinction for MeterFeeder in the past months.

 

About Meter Feeder, Inc.

 

As a technology first company, Meter Feeder, Inc. focuses on usability and efficiency in resolving parking issues. Introducing  smart parking solutions, we streamline the process from enforcement to payments in a few easy steps. To learn more about MeterFeeder’s products and how we can help customize a solution to your parking needs please visit www.meterfeeder.com or contact via info@meterfeeder.com.

 

Media Contact:

 

Rubaiya Amin

Communication Strategist

Meter Feeder, Inc.

rubaiya@meterfeeder.com

844-463-7275 Ext. 703

Meter Feeder – Finding the Right Technology Fit for your City Is Easier than you Think

April 11, 2017

Meter Feeder – Finding the Right Technology Fit for your City Is Easier than you Think
~Rubaiya Amin

 

 

The old saying “When in Rome, do as the Romans do,” is still true today. Similarly, when in LA, do as the Los Angeles commuters do, sit in traffic. Naturally, the Los Angeles County officials are looking for the best way to ease this day-to-day pain of congestion. Los Angeles is quickly becoming a city with infrastructure which cannot keep up with the needs of its citizens, especially commuters. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 15 million people commute to work every day in California and a staggering 470,000 people sit in traffic for more than 90 minutes in Southern California. City officials are spending endless hours trying to figure out how to alleviate these problems.

 

Many cities are embracing technology which is key for their citizens’ needs, as well as improving other city initiatives. City of Pittsburgh, for instance, is revitalizing its economy in the autonomous vehicle, artificial intelligence, and green energy industry. City residents want clean energy, clean water, and environmental friendly infrastructure, while keeping the former Steel City charm alive. The city is also a technology hub for companies like Google and Uber. First, Uber pioneered their autonomous vehicles in Pittsburgh and now Ford Motor Co. is working with Carnegie Mellon University’s Robotics Institute and local AI (Artificial Intelligence) firms to spearhead their autonomous vehicles division, investing in Smart City initiatives the city is keenly moving toward.

Choose the Right Technology Which Delivers

So how do cities find the right technology fit? Cities first need to assess whether the will focus on city-centric or citizen-centric services. It is inherently easier to know this earlier rather than later, since this will drive project development and make it easier for tech companies providing services. There is no need to despair, if an outright solution is not in sight, some tech-savvy solutions propose strategies to gain the favor for both audiences.

Updating infrastructure often comes with budget constraints, laden with paperwork and lengthy government processes. Governments must also implement services that work for everyone and it can take time to gather resources for larger projects. Studies suggest that the easiest type of projects cities can improve is by improving parking related woes. If cities improved congestion, cruising, and parking spaces, it’s an easy homerun. Properly implemented, many tech-savvy solutions are available in today’s market which are geared towards building higher revenue streams for cities from parking. Any initial or ongoing investments are recouped within 2 years or less; a win-win for both cities and citizens.

Currently, the 32-billion-dollar parking industry (National Parking Association) is in the process of getting a tech overhaul and continuing its growth into international markets. Technology has made this industry an iterative, more data-centric, and user-driven market. Data collected by companies are used to re-imagine the way cities function; using analytics to curb parking demand, creating higher enforcement compliance, occupancy, etc. Large cities are on board but so are smaller cities and municipalities, who are beginning to see the benefits of using technology to drive growth.

Other smart city projects that are easy to implement are using energy-saving LED lights, which can significantly reduce electricity usage and replacement costs. Some LED lights are retrofitted with Wi-Fi and have real-time cameras, which provide useful surveillance for crime fighting in cities. Some offer data that monitor traffic patterns and pedestrians for the transportation industry. There are major benefits for implementing technology with meaningful implications in peoples’ lives.

Smaller manageable products and technology integrations offer greater citizen engagement and improve quality of life in addition to timely accessibility of services. Using lower-cost and easy to implement technology is crucial.  Slowly easing into smart city projects and is a key element for social and environmental sustainability in addition to creating new revenue opportunities for cities.

About Meter Feeder, Inc.

Meter Feeder, Inc. offers a cutting-edge comprehensive technology platform for parking enforcement and mobile parking payment. Our products define our business model and exemplifies our simple but effective platform, offering cities and municipalities the right tools to increase parking revenue.

MeterFeeder’s complete package consists of enforcement software and devices, an administrative citation management system, and a mobile payment app for patrons.

Visit our website www.meterfeeder.com or contact sales at 1-844-463-7275 X 704 to learn more about our services.

 

 

Meter Feeder – How Technology is Infiltrating Cities with Customer Centric Parking Solutions By Rubaiya Amin

February 06, 2017

How Technology is Infiltrating Cities with Customer Centric Parking Solutions
By Rubaiya Amin

 

Whether we live in a big city or we visit one on occasion, we have all experienced the pains of city parking. Experiencing city traffic, finding a legitimate spot, and then trying to fish out the credit card or quarters to pay, feels like a rite of passage. Aside from parking availability parking rates for a measly hour can feel like a tuition payment, i.e. if you don’t get a ticket by the time of your return.

Holding onto antiquated meters is a thing of the past. Millennials are taking over and they barely have time to look away from the screens that hold them together, literally think Snapchat. Moreover, some of the technology are easy to use, cost-effective and do not need expensive infrastructure in place. What do cities have to lose?

Fortunately, technology is making city parking simpler for everyone, including the person doing the parking. Some of the cutting-edge customer solutions are evolving with the customer in mind; whether it is the city or the driver.  Here are some examples of how things are changing.

Better Technology Benefits All

As parking innovations are increasingly becoming a trend for cities, so are parking enforcement technology. Cities are installing tech-advanced payment stations, kiosks, even offering mobile apps for parking payments. In addition, they are using metrics, analytics, cameras and other intuitive technology to catch up to parking hot spots and non-paying customers.

In recent years, more people are fighting their parking tickets in court than ever before. Judges have been overwhelmed with pleas of “not guilty”, and they have started to ask for newer, better technologies that can provide only the facts. Cities are complying and incorporating photos for violations. Some cameras and sensors in assigned locations also provide additional information to city officials. This is designed to reduce the number of parking tickets that are written erroneously and the number of people who fight valid tickets in court.

On demand and real-time pricing for parking is also something cities are looking to adopt. Look at Boston; since parking is not so available the city is using parking rate hikes in peak times to push people to move their cars. Unless of course, you want to give up your Starbucks budget and move it into a flexible spending account for parking only. But these initiatives and programs are designed to help the congestion and cruising that contributes to presumably 30 percent of city congestion, pollution, etc.

There’s an App for That

Sometimes, it’s not about assigning more people to keep an eye on the meters. In some cases, it’s about improving the meters themselves. For example, back in March, the city of Knoxville, Tennessee installed high-tech meters that accept credit cards as well as traditional coin payments. These meters are connected to the internet, which means the city can send residents messages directly to digital screens. Most are solar-powered, so residents don’t have to worry about paying higher taxes to cover energy costs.

Drivers have also found refuge in using mobile apps for parking rather than paying with quarters or credit cards. As mentioned earlier, when the weather is not on your side, it can prove challenging to pay at designated pay stations or walk over to one for a zone number. Instead I use an app to pay for parking — same technology to pay with a credit card but less hassle and from the comfort of my car and they send notifications to extend parking. Even mid-size cities and municipalities are getting on board.

Location! Location! Location!

How often have you driven around an unfamiliar city looking for a place to park? Even if you’ve only done it a couple of times, you understand how frustrating it can be. Fortunately, GPS technology continues to improve and parking apps, e.g. MeterFeeder™ uses it to find accurate location for parking as soon as you turn it on. Say no to the finding zones or pay stations! All smartphones have built-in GPS so don’t forget to use it. This comes in handy when trying to maneuver around a city, especially downtown. Download the app and save your sanity!

Sensing the Tech in You
In today’s Internet of Things, we are finding new and improved ways of doing everything. That’s certainly evident in the parking world. Parking spots and lanes are using sensors that can tell what time and how long a vehicle parked there, sensors on parking meters monitor occupancy, there are sensors in placards for the handicapped, for employees, for students, and for any other kind of reserved parking management. The sensors use alternative energy sources, which means that city officials won’t have to spend their precious time maintaining them.

Hope Lives!

There are ways in which smart technology is changing the way we drive and obviously, park.  Drivers have options and with time, and as more cities incorporate new technology, parking is going to be a fully automated service. There is always hope to have that great experience when visiting the city.

About Meter Feeder, Inc.

Meter Feeder, Inc. offers a cutting-edge comprehensive technology platform for parking enforcement and mobile parking payment. Our products define our business model and exemplifies our simple but effective platform, offering cities and municipalities the right tools to increase parking revenue.

MeterFeeder’s complete package consists of enforcement software and devices, an administrative citation management system, and a mobile payment app for patrons.

Visit our website www.meterfeeder.com or contact sales at 1-844-463-7275 X 704 to learn more about our services.

 

 

 

 

 

Historic Borough of Sewickley gets Meter Feeder Parking App

September 09, 2016

meterfeder

Historic Borough of Sewickley gets Meter Feeder Parking App

 

 

Sewickley, Pa. – On September 12th, 2016 the Borough of Sewickley, located Northwest of Pittsburgh, will launch the Meter Feeder mobile parking app for their business district.   Currently, Sewickley has approximately 482 meters for parking and are replacing those with parking kiosks from PSX Inc. Partnering with PSX Inc. and the Borough, Meter Feeder, Inc., will provide the mobile app-based solution for both on-street parking and parking lots located along Broad Street and Beaver Street in Sewickley.

 

 

Meter Feeder, Inc. CEO Jim Gibbs highlights, “We are excited to work with such an established and historic community as Sewickley. We strive to innovate with local communities and make the parking payment experience seamless and easy for everyone.” Sewickley is home to some of the best schools in the area and also has a vibrant community with over hundred and fifty businesses and restaurants. Borough Manager, Kevin M. Flannery said, “We want to bring ease and convenience for our residents and visitors with our parking solutions. We are excited to have an app and kiosk solution to elevate the parking experience for all our visitors and residents at our wonderful Borough.”

 

In addition to paying for parking at the 42 kiosks with cash, the Meter Feeder app allows patrons to use their credit cards and pay for parking from the ease of their mobile devices. The app is free for both Android and iOS devices and can be used for all Meter Feeder operated parking lots and on-street parking. The app will store all payment and vehicle information once entered for future use and customers can add up to five license plates for their convenience. It will allow customers to pay and extend their parking time from the app when a notification is sent before their time expires.

 

The Borough of Sewickley will use the Meter Reader enforcement app for parking officials to issue tickets and citations for parking violations. This app-based solution and will give enforcement officers easy-to-use tools for writing tickets and tracking real-time parking payments from the Meter Feeder app and the kiosks. All tickets issued from the new Meter Reader enforcement devices will have a unique QR code on the bottom. Parking patrons can easily use the “Scan” feature and directly pay tickets with their Meter Feeder app without the need to mail checks or pay in person. Credit card payments for parking tickets are also accepted via the Meter Feeder website at www.meterfeeder.com and the Borough of Sewickley website.

 

As a technology first company, Meter Feeder, Inc. focuses on usability and efficiency and taking a new approach to solving the existing parking issues and presenting new ways to introduce smart parking solutions.

 

 

 

About Meter Feeder, Inc.: Meter Feeder is an award-winning parking management and enforcement platform, based in Braddock, PA. Meter Feeder, Inc. entered into the $25 billion parking market, with the goal of disrupting the archaic parking systems by providing very simple, very easy parking tools for any size municipality. As a technology first company, Meter Feeder, Inc. focuses on usability and efficiency and taking a new approach to solving the existing parking issues and presenting new ways to introduce smart parking solutions. Learn more at www.meterfeeder.com