Airbnb, Inc.
Leadership History
2 leaders · 2008 to present
Brian Chesky is the CEO of Airbnb, in the role since 2008.
| Name | Role | From | To | Years in role |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brian Chesky | Co-Founder and CEO | 2008 | Present | 18 |
| Joe Gebbia | Co-Founder and product leader | 2008 | 2022 | 14 |
Airbnb began when Brian Chesky and Joe Gebbia hosted three guests in their San Francisco home in October 2007. The company formally launched in 2008, added Nathan Blecharczyk as a co-founder, expanded from rooms to whole homes and vacation rentals, and became publicly traded in December 2020. The company is headquartered in San Francisco, California.
Airbnb provides a marketplace on which hosts offer stays, experiences, and services and guests make reservations. The company recognizes service-fee revenue after a reservation occurs. Hosts provide the accommodations and other offerings, so gross booking value is the value of bookings on the platform, not Airbnb revenue.
Co-Founder and CEO
2008 – Present
18 years (current)
He led the company through its December 2020 IPO and the 2025 launch of Airbnb Services, rebuilt Experiences, and an updated app.
Brian Chesky co-founded Airbnb and has served as CEO since its founding.
Co-Founder and product leader
2008 – 2022
14 years
He helped develop the original marketplace and remained on Airbnb's board after stepping back from a full-time operating role in 2022.
Joe Gebbia co-founded Airbnb and worked on its early product and design.
Airbnb identifies competition, host and guest retention, safety and quality, changing travel demand, payments, cybersecurity, and complex short-term-rental regulation as material risks.
Brian Chesky, one of the original founders who hosted the first guests on an air mattress, remains the visionary CEO of the company.
Compare executive leadership tenures and strategic transitions
Explore Airbnb
Core profile pages, founders and related research hubs for this company.