Summary:
Washie is revolutionizing toilet seats with a smart cleaning solution.
Founded by Rob Poleki after a frustrating experience with dirty toilet seats.
The product is currently used in airports, gas stations, and hospitals.
Venture capitalist Blake Hansen has invested in Washie to aid its growth.
A home version of Washie is set to launch next year, tapping into consumer demand.
You might not think much about the humble toilet seat until it demands your attention. Rob Poleki, the CEO & Founder of Washie, recalls a particularly unpleasant experience at an airport toilet: "Why hasnât anyone had any innovation in the stall?" After realizing that toilet seat covers have remained unchanged for over 70 years, he decided to take action.
In 2015, while serving as the Bannock County Clerk, Poleki founded Washie to tackle the issue of dirty toilet seats. The company offers a smart toilet seat designed for businesses, equipped with a cartridge of cleaning solution. Users can activate the cleaning solution via a sensor, ensuring the toilet seat is hygienic before use. Each cartridge provides about 2,000 cleans and connects to Wi-Fi, alerting maintenance when itâs time for a replacement.
Now on its fourth iteration, Washie has gained traction in various public spaces, including airports, gas stations, and hospitals. However, Poleki is ready to expand into the home market.
Enter Alturas
Blake Hansen, a venture capitalist from Eagle, Idaho, has taken an interest in Washie. After meeting Poleki during Boise Entrepreneur Week, he was impressed by Poleki's scrappy approach to entrepreneurship. Hansen decided to invest in Washie, aiming to provide not just capital but also resources to help scale the business.
Hansen emphasizes the importance of community support for entrepreneurs in Idaho. He believes that while Washie has been successful in the commercial sector, the demand for a home version of the product is significant. With plans to launch the home version in the next year, Poleki points out the success of products like Squatty Potty and Poo-pourri, noting that there hasn't been a similar product in the bathroom space recently.
Home Sweet Home
As they prepare to introduce Washie for residential use, both Poleki and Hansen are excited about the potential market. Poleki states, "Itâs a great time to launch in the home; thereâs nothing like it." With a focus on engineering and developing the product to meet consumer needs, they are optimistic about the future.
Hansen sums it up succinctly: "People just want to have a clean toilet seat when they sit down."
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