The $27 billion hospitality problem targeted with 50x growth plan
Valpas has announced ambitious plans to expand its revolutionary technology to 2 million hotel beds worldwide by 2030
Bed bugs are back, and they’re costing the hospitality industry a staggering $27 billion worldwide every year. From luxury hotels to cosy short term rentals, no property type is spared from this global crisis, with infestations wreaking havoc on guest experiences and causing irreparable brand damage.
But Helsinki-based Valpas, the world’s only travel platform to offer certified “bed bug-safe” stays, is on a mission to transform the industry. With over 40,000 beds now safeguarded in Europe, the Americas, and Japan, Valpas has announced plans to expand this figure 50-fold, reaching 2 million protected beds worldwide by 2030.
In response to surging demand for bed bug-free accommodations, Valpas recently secured €4 million (NZ$7.28 million) in seed funding led by Zenith VC, with contributions from Icebreaker VC, Canon Marketing Japan MIRAI Fund, and other prominent investors. This investment will be deployed to rapidly install Valpas’s innovative, chemical-free technology—particularly in high-end brands like Accor Hotels, The Luxury Collection, and Design Hotels—and double the number of protected beds by 2025.
Battling the Bed Bug epidemic
Valpas’s solution directly addresses a nightmare scenario that hotels and rentals face daily, where a single bed bug incident can lead to environmental costs, hefty cleaning fees, and damaging reviews. Its smart bed-leg technology intercepts bed bugs upon contact, ensuring guests a peaceful, bug-free experience. And as travellers increasingly scrutinise accommodations for pest risks, Valpas’s digital certification on booking platforms and hotel websites provides reassurance that a property meets their rigorous “hospitality standard.”
“Guests today are on high alert, often inspecting beds themselves for signs of bed bugs,” said Martim Gois, CEO and Co-Founder of Valpas. “Our technology offers a certified solution that lets guests relax and trust the accommodation. The best hotels understand that this level of safety is essential.”
Reinventing safety standards in hospitality
Founded by a group of Aalto University graduates in 2017, Valpas has made a name for itself with an eco-friendly approach to pest control that replaces toxic treatments. Already established in destinations from Europe to Japan and Mexico, the Valpas label offers a guarantee of safety and sustainability, helping to preserve the environment and protect guests.
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