Sleepbox

Sleepbox, Inc. operates as a technology-driven, micro-hotel platform, providing modular, stand-alone sleeping pods designed for transient populations in high-traffic locations. The company was founded in Boston in 2016 by Mikhail Krymov, Peter Chambers, and Aleksei Goriainov. The initial concept was born from personal experience when Krymov and Goriainov, both architects, found themselves stuck overnight in an airport and saw a need for private, accessible rest spaces. Krymov, with a background in architecture from the Moscow Architecture Institute and as a former research fellow at MIT, brought the design expertise. Chambers, with experience in robotics engineering, commercial real estate finance at Citi Group, and new product development for Amazon Robotics, contributed the business development and operational strategy.

The company's primary product is a modular, soundproof sleeping cabin that can be quickly assembled and installed in various locations such as airports, offices, and urban centers. Each pod is equipped with amenities like a bed, Wi-Fi, mood lighting, climate control, charging ports, and a desk. Sleepbox pods are designed to be managed through a proprietary mobile app that allows users to book, check in, and control the room's features, creating a frictionless and autonomous experience. This technology enables bookings in increments as short as 15 minutes, catering to the needs of travelers on long layovers or city explorers needing a short rest.

Sleepbox targets a market niche between traditional hotels and short-term rentals like Airbnb, focusing on millennial travelers who value convenience and on-demand services. Its business model is twofold: operating its own branded lounges and expanding through a franchise model. The company launched its first 16-room location at Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) in 2019, which served as a proof of concept. Revenue is generated from hourly or nightly rentals of the pods, with prices at the Dulles location starting around $25-$35 per hour. The company also sells units directly to corporate clients for office use. To date, Sleepbox has raised approximately $645,000 in funding from investors including MassChallenge, General Catalyst, and Bantam Group.

Keywords: micro-hotel, sleeping pods, airport hospitality, modular hotels, capsule hotels, travel technology, on-demand accommodation, short-term rentals, smart hotels, airport lounges, nap pods, urban travel, flexible lodging, hospitality innovation, passenger experience, corporate wellness, travel rest, automated hotels, app-based booking, soundproof pods