Solving an Itchy Problem — Our Investment in Valpas
Bed bugs are a persistent nightmare for hotels and guests alike. Alarmingly, 1 in 33 hotel rooms globally are affected each year, and the issue is worsening as these pests develop immunity to chemical pesticides. Stricter regulations have also limited the introduction of more toxic pesticides into the market. The urgency of the problem was underscored by notable outbreaks in Paris and London in 2023.
For hotels, an infestation can mean costly room refurbishments, lost revenue from unsold nights, expensive chemical treatments, and severe reputational damage. For guests, it can be a traumatic experience, with the risk of bringing the infestation home. Contrary to popular belief, bed bugs do not discriminate between budget hostels and luxury 5-star hotels — they hitchhike in guests’ luggage.
So, what’s the solution? For starters, it comes from Finland.
Introducing Valpas: A Finnish Innovation
Valpas, led by CEO & Founder Martim Gois, offers a groundbreaking preventive solution that ensures hotels and their guests a bed bug-free experience. Valpas has developed a unique bed leg design that includes a bed bug trap and a sensor. This innovative solution detects bed bugs before they spread, alerting hotel staff to take immediate action. The smart bed legs form a mesh network that sends signals to the Valpas platform, ensuring prompt responses to potential infestations. This combination of hardware, software, and integrations with Hotel Management Systems (HMS) and Online Travel Agents (OTA) sets a new industry standard.
How It Works
By installing Valpas’ preventive system, hotels can confidently assure their guests of a bed bug-free stay. The system acts as an insurance policy for both the hotel and its guests. It streamlines hotel operations by eliminating the need for manual room checks and regular pesticide sprays, making hotels more eco-friendly.
A Game Changer for the Hospitality Industry
We believe the industry will move from a reactive to a chemical-free proactive stance on bed bug prevention. Valpas is at the forefront of this change and has the potential to become a global category winner.
Our due diligence revealed an interesting insight: Valpas’ preventive system boosts hotel revenue when advertised at the point of booking. A “bed bug-free guarantee” is becoming a decisive factor for guests when choosing accommodations. Given the choice between a guaranteed bed bug-free room and one without such assurance, the decision is clear.
Through customer interviews during our investment process, we discovered that many hoteliers are enthusiastic advocates of Valpas. This is reflected in the company’s impressive churn rate — zero. Not a single customer has left, except for a few hotels that went bankrupt during the pandemic.
The Future with Valpas
We are excited to support Valpas in their journey to make travel safer by offering peace of mind to hoteliers and guests worldwide with their leading chemical-free solution. Valpas is not just solving a problem; they are setting a new standard in the hospitality industry.