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Airbnb

Organization

A company operating an online marketplace for lodging, used as an example of a venture-backed company that generated significant value both before and after going public.


entitydetail.created_at

8/16/2025, 2:37:28 AM

entitydetail.last_updated

8/16/2025, 2:39:59 AM

entitydetail.research_retrieved

8/16/2025, 2:39:59 AM

Summary

Airbnb, Inc., originally "Air Bed and Breakfast," is an American company founded in 2008 by Brian Chesky, Nathan Blecharczyk, and Joe Gebbia. Based in San Francisco, California, it operates an online marketplace connecting individuals for short- and long-term homestays and experiences, functioning as a broker and earning a commission from each booking. The company has faced criticism regarding a lack of regulation and its contribution to rising home rents. Airbnb is recognized as a company that has generated massive, compounding returns, fitting the venture capital strategy of "finding power law winners," as discussed in the All-In Podcast.

Referenced in 1 Document
Research Data
Extracted Attributes
  • Founded

    2008-01-01

  • Function

    Broker, earning commission from bookings

  • Listings

    Over 8 million in nearly 200 countries

  • Criticism

    Lack of regulation, contribution to rising home rents

  • Employees

    5597

  • Headquarters

    San Francisco, California, United States

  • Market Value

    $64 billion (2023)

  • Original Name

    Air Bed and Breakfast

  • Business Model

    Online marketplace for short- and long-term homestays and experiences

Timeline
  • Founders invited paying guests to sleep on an air mattress in their living room, marking the origin of the service. (Source: Web Search Results)

    2007

  • Airbnb, Inc. was officially founded. (Source: Summary, Wikidata, Wikipedia)

    2008-01-01

  • The company name was shortened to Airbnb.com from AirBedandBreakfast.com. (Source: Web Search Results)

    2009-03

  • Airbnb won the "app" award at the South by Southwest conference. (Source: Web Search Results)

    2011-03

  • Airbnb revealed design revisions to its site and mobile app, introduced a new logo, and announced a partnership with Concur. (Source: Web Search Results)

    2014-07

  • Airbnb's market value reached $64 billion. (Source: Web Search Results)

    2023

Airbnb

Airbnb, Inc. ( AIR-BEE-en-BEE, an abbreviation of its original name, "Air Bed and Breakfast") is an American company operating an online marketplace for short-and-long-term homestays, experiences and services in various countries and regions. It acts as a broker and charges a commission from each booking. Airbnb was founded in 2008 by Brian Chesky, Nathan Blecharczyk, and Joe Gebbia.

Web Search Results
  • Airbnb - Wikipedia

    Airbnb, Inc. (/ˌ ɛər ˌ b iː ɛ n ˈ b iː/_AIR-BEE-en-BEE_, an abbreviation of its original name, "Air Bed and Breakfast"( is an American company operating an online marketplace for short-and-long-term homestays, experiences and services in various countries and regions. It acts as a broker and charges a commission "Commission (remuneration)") from each booking. Airbnb was founded in 2008 by Brian Chesky, Nathan Blecharczyk, and Joe Gebbia.( History ------- [edit] [...] Airbnb is one of the few major travel companies without a loyalty program, which has led to criticism by many customers. This is in part attributed to its lack of business customers, as reported by _The Wall Street Journal_.( ### Objectivity of guest reviews [edit] [...] In March 2009, the name of the company was shortened to Airbnb.com to eliminate confusion over air mattresses.( At the March 2011 South by Southwest conference, Airbnb won the "app" award.( In July 2014, Airbnb revealed design revisions to the site and mobile app and introduced a new logo.( It also announced a partnership with Concur, an expense reporting service for businesses.(

  • How Does Airbnb Work? How to Get Started with Airbnb

    Airbnb is an online marketplace connecting hosts with guests for short-term rentals and unique travel experiences globally. Hosts can list properties for free, set competitive pricing, and manage bookings while ensuring compliance with local regulations. Guests create accounts to search for accommodations, evaluate listings based on reviews, and communicate with hosts before booking. [...] Airbnb is a global online marketplace that connects travelers with hosts offering short-term vacation rentals, ranging from single rooms to entire properties. Standing for "Air Bed and Breakfast," it revolutionizes how people find temporary accommodations by connecting them with property owners who rent out everything from shared rooms to entire homes. Founded in 2008 by Brian Chesky and Joe Gebbia in San Francisco, Airbnb works on a peer-to-peer model, allowing hosts to set their own rates and [...] Airbnb is an online platform that connects travelers with hosts offering short-term stays in various accommodations, such as private rooms, entire homes, apartments, or unique spaces like cabins or chalets and boats. Users browse listings, select dates, and book through the Airbnb website or app, often communicating directly with hosts for details. From the short-term rental investor's perspective, Airbnb is one of the most valuable tools at your disposal. Use this overview to learn how it

  • What is Airbnb? A guide to its evolution and travel impact | Touchstay

    What is Airbnb? --------------- Airbnb, short for ‘AirBedandBreakfast’, is an online marketplace that facilitates peer-to-peer home sharing. This means individuals can list their properties, from apartments and cottages to castles and boats, for short-term stays. [...] Personalisation and flexibility: Airbnb allows travellers to choose unique and personalised accommodations that suit their individual needs and preferences. Authentic experiences: by staying in local homes, travellers can gain a deeper understanding of the culture and way of life of the destination. Cost-effective options: Airbnb offers a range of budget-friendly options, making travel more accessible to a wider audience. [...] Airbnb has revolutionised the travel industry by offering a global network of unique accommodations. With listings in over 220 countries and territories, it allows travellers to experience a destination like a local, immersing themselves in the culture and way of life. ### The core services of Airbnb Airbnb offers three core services:

  • What Does "Airbnb" Mean? How Airbnb Changed STR Investing

    Airbnb stands for "Air Bed and Breakfast," reflecting its origins in providing temporary lodging during a design conference in 2007. The company evolved from offering air mattresses to a platform with over 4 million diverse listings in nearly 200 countries. The rise of Airbnb has created new income opportunities for homeowners, reshaping short-term rental investing with a market value of $64 billion in 2023. [...] Initially known as "Air Bed and Breakfast," the company was founded to provide guests with an alternative to hotels and allow owners to rent out their rooms and homes.The name was officially changed to Airbnb in March 2009. Today, Airbnb stands as a global platform with over eight million listings in nearly 200 countries. Airbnb's logo, known as Bélo, symbolizes belonging and reinforces the company's mission to foster community and connection among hosts and guests. [...] Airbnbs are platform-based rentals offering a wide range of accommodations, often with self-service options and minimal host interaction. Traditional B&Bs are owner-operated, smaller establishments known for personalized hospitality and home-cooked breakfasts. ### Why Is It Called Airbnb If They Don't Serve Breakfast?

  • How Airbnb Works for Hosts, Guests, and the Company Itself

    Getty Images, Klaus Vedfelt Airbnb was established in 2007 when its founders invited paying guests to sleep on an air mattress in their living room. The company expanded on this first success with an online platform that allows property owners to rent accommodations to guests who don't want to pay sky-high hotel bills while traveling. [...] Since then, the service for guests has become increasingly more convenient and well known. Find out how it works for guests, and how the company and hosts make money. ### Key Takeaways ## How Airbnb Makes Money Airbnb (ABNB) is part of the sharing economy and has a very profitable business model. The company makes money by facilitating the rental of properties. [...] Rules and local regulations play a big part in who can use Airbnb. For instance, the company only allows people over 18 to create accounts. This applies to hosts and guests. Hosts must provide accurate information about their properties. The company also prohibits any activity that "endorses or promotes illegal or harmful activity, or that is sexually explicit, violent, graphic, threatening, or harassing."

Airbnb, Inc. (/ˌɛərˌbiːɛnˈbiː/ AIR-BEE-en-BEE), based in San Francisco, California, operates an online marketplace focused on short-term homestays and experiences. The company acts as a broker and charges a commission from each booking. The company was founded in 2008 by Brian Chesky, Nathan Blecharczyk, and Joe Gebbia. Airbnb is a shortened version of its original name, AirBedandBreakfast.com. The company has been the subject of criticism for lack of regulations and enabling increases in home rents.

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Location Data

Airbnb, 888, Brannan Street, West SoMa, South of Market, San Francisco, California, 94103, United States

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Coordinates: 37.7719568, -122.4054484

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