Helsinki-based Valpas, a tech company specializing in pesticide-free solutions to keep hotels bedbug-safe, has announced a successful €4 million seed funding round. The investment was led by Zenith VC, with participation from Icebreaker VC, Finnish Industry Investment, Canon Marketing Japan MIRAI Fund, Activum SG Ventures, Houghton Street Ventures, Rockaway Ventures, and Morrow Ventures.
Valpas will use the funds to ramp up the production of its innovative bedbug prevention technology and build strategic partnerships with travel booking agents and platforms. This will make it easier for travelers to identify and choose bedbug-safe hotels.
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Addressing a Costly Issue
Bedbugs cause significant financial damage to the hotel industry, amounting to approximately €15 billion annually. Traditional pesticide-based solutions are becoming less effective as bedbugs develop resistance. Valpas provides a sustainable alternative by eliminating the need for harmful chemicals, which could otherwise lead to a global public health crisis.
Innovative Bedbug Prevention
Founded in 2017 by Martim Gois, Vertti Sarimaa, Aleksi Jokela, and Matti Parkkila, Valpas offers smart anti-bedbug bed legs that trap bedbugs during the first night a guest stays in a room, preventing infestation. The technology attracts bedbugs using CO2 emitted by sleeping humans and uses a unique material design to trap them. The system is supported by an IoT and AI-enabled mobile app that provides image recognition for pest identification and disposal.
Martim Gois, CEO and Co-Founder of Valpas, emphasized the value of their solution: “No travel or home insurance covers the cost and pain of a bedbug infestation at home. By staying at a Valpas-affiliated hotel, travelers can be assured that their room is clean and safe from bedbugs.”
Expanding Global Reach
Valpas currently collaborates with over 300 premium hotel brands, including Accor Hotels, The Luxury Collection, Design Hotels, ARP-Hansen, and Bob W, across more than 40 destinations in Europe, Mexico, and Japan. The company aims to make every trip bedbug-safe and pesticide-free, offering higher booking rates and enhanced guest satisfaction for early adopters in the hospitality industry.
Investor Support
Erik Lindblad, Partner and CEO at Zenith VC, praised Valpas for addressing a significant industry challenge with an effective solution: “Valpas has the potential to become a global category leader. Their product excellence and customer satisfaction are impressive, and their chemical-free bedbug prevention ensures smooth hotel operations and guest safety.”
With this investment, the startup is poised to expand its reach and continue providing innovative, sustainable solutions to the global hospitality industry.
