Valpas, the platform for bed bug-safe certified hotels, continues to strengthen its team to support its expansion as the new global standard of bed bug safety and sustainable stays.
To support Valpas’ expansion, four new executives have joined the startup’s team.
With the recruitment of these four new executives, Valpas continues to build the infrastructure for safe, sustainable stays, that safeguards every room, generates real-time certification, and distributes that proof to OTAs and AI-powered platforms now shaping how travellers discover and book hotels.
According to Valpas co-founder and chief executive Martim Gois: “At Valpas, we have set ourselves an ambitious goal: to create a new standard of bed bug safety through chemical-free and sustainable technology across the global hospitality sector. Sofi, May, Enzo and Claus complement our diverse team of professionals and will be key to expanding our business, implementing our strategy, as well as achieving our targets.”
New to the team
Claus Unterkircher
Claus Unterkircher is the new head of operations at Valpas.
Among others, he will lead and carry out the operational strategy to drive the company’s international growth.
Unterkircher has held senior executive roles in tech and mobility in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Belgium in companies such as Uber, Voi, and the Colruyt Group.
He has a proven record in digital transformation, in platform operations management, as well as in implementing business strategy effectively amid complex market dynamics.
Enzo Aita
Valpas’ new head of ecosystem is Enzo Aita, an experienced business development leader who is also recognized as a top hospitality voice and travel influencer.
Aita was vice-president of supply integration and strategic partnership at Hyperguest and has more than 20 years of experience in the travel industry.
He will build the ecosystem of OTAs and travel agents, travel managers and industry institutions that defines what AI-era hospitality looks like, to make certified bed bug safety and pesticide-free standards the baseline buyer expectation for hotels.
May Hertonen
May Hertonen is joining Valpas as senior customer success manager.
In her new role, she will help hotel partners to adopt bed bug safe standards with confidence, while protecting their reputation and giving guests peace of mind.
Hertonen has simplified the complexity and enabled the adoption of emerging technologies with a human-first and impact-driven approach in international companies for over 10 years, including SAP and Immersal.
Sofi Laakso
To build and scale its go-to-market function, Valpas has appointed Sofi Laakso as go-to-market manager.
Her previous experience at early-stage and investment companies across the Nordic startup ecosystem such as Slush and Herizon will help Valpas to launch its technology and bed bug-free certification in its target markets.
