Press release: Valpas announces Japanese market entry strategy to tackle share of €15bn bed bug problem, backed by Canon Marketing Japan Inc. investment
- Valpas plans its entry into the important Japanese hotel and short-term rental market, backed by Canon Marketing Japan Inc. (hereafter Canon MJ) investment via Canon Marketing Japan MIRAI Fund, leveraging Canon MJ's significant B2B customer base.
- Chemical-free tech solution responds to increased traveler fear and bed bug outbreak risk due to Japan’s recent booming inbound tourism trend.
- The investment and partnership follow Valpas' recent €4 million seed funding led by Zenith VC. Valpas is now setting its sights on protecting 2 million beds globally by 2030.
- Hotel Restaurant Show 2025 (HCJ), a launchpad event for advancing PoC initiatives in Japan, will feature Valpas solutions at the Canon IT Solutions booth from February 4-7 in Tokyo.
Helsinki, Finland / Tokyo, Japan XX January 2025 — Valpas, the only travel platform for safe, sustainable and bed bug-free stays, has announced its strategic expansion into the Japanese market, building on its partnership with Canon MJ, Japan's leading technology company, following their strategic investment in June.
In addition to its investment, Canon MJ will become a strategic partner in introducing the Valpas technology and certification to the significant and highly valuable Japanese market. This partnership will leverage Canon MJ’s extensive B2B customer base in Japan, enabling a strong market entry and widespread adoption. The first step of this collaboration will be showcasing Valpas solutions at the Hotel Restaurant Show 2025 (HCJ) in Tokyo, from February 4-7, at the booth of Canon IT Solutions, a Canon MJ group company.
The Valpas entry into Japan comes at a moment when Japan is experiencing record and unprecedented levels of inbound international tourism – something which typically significantly increases the risk of a bed bug infestation for a hotel or short-term rental property.
IT solutions account for roughly half of all revenues for Canon MJ Group and the investment was made by the Canon MJ division via its Canon Marketing Japan MIRAI Fund.
Takuya Joshin, Director in charge of R&B Promotion Headquarters from Canon MJ commented: “The Valpas contribution to the safety and security of travelers appealed to us as an investment greatly and we feel that demand will continue to grow due to the increasing number of travelers worldwide. Additionally, we felt that with our experience and customer base in Japan, it made sense to partner with entry into this important market.”
Martim Gois, CEO and Co-Founder of Valpas added: “We are honoured to not only have such an iconic brand as Canon – with its long-standing commitment to innovation – invest in our company but additionally become our partner for expanding the Valpas network into popular Japanese destinations like Tokyo and Kyoto. Most importantly, the Canon ethos of the old and the new, nature and technology, living side by side in harmony, is shared by Valpas. We’re excited for this already blossoming partnership with major announcements to follow in 2025.”
Valpas tackles a €15 billion annual problem for hotels and short-term rentals, driven by lost revenues, environmentally harmful pesticide cleaning fees, and immeasurable reputational damage. Valpas’ platform empowers hoteliers to guarantee bed bug-safe stays thanks to reliable digital certification identifiable on hotel websites and travel platforms. The certification is backed by Valpas proprietary in-room technology based on smart bed legs that capture and stop bed bugs at first contact, ensuring rooms remain safe and pest-free.
Today’s news follows Valpas unveiling at the end of 2024 ambitious plans to grow the number of hotel beds using the Valpas technology and certification by 50x to reach 2 million by the end of 2030. During 2024 the company also secured €4m in seed funding in a round led by Zenith VC alongside Icebreaker VC, Finnish Industry Investment, Activum SG Ventures, Houghton Street Ventures, Rockaway Ventures and Morrow Ventures.
About Valpas
Valpas makes safe, sustainable, bed bug-free travel a reality, so everyone can travel today without fear of health or environmental risks tomorrow.
Founded in Helsinki in 2017 by Martim Gois, Vertti Sarimaa, Aleksi Jokela and Matti Parkkila, who met at Aalto University, over 300 hotels in the world carry the Valpas ‘bed bug safe’ label, which certifies that operators use Valpas technology in every room to ensure their guests’ safety from bed bugs.
For more information visit: www.valpashotels.com