Airbnb, Inc.
Company History
Airbnb History: Founding, Growth & Key Milestones
Founded 2008 in San Francisco, California, United States
When was Airbnb founded?
Airbnb was founded in 2008 in San Francisco, California, United States by Brian Chesky, Nathan Blecharczyk and Joe Gebbia, making it 18 years old.
- Founded
- 2008
- Founding place
- San Francisco, California, United States
- Founders
- Brian Chesky, Nathan Blecharczyk and Joe Gebbia
- Headquarters today
- San Francisco, California
- Milestones documented
- 12 (2007–2026)
- Current CEO
- Brian Chesky
- Acquisitions
- 4
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 2007 | First Airbed & Breakfast guests |
| 2008 | Formal launch and DNC bookings |
| 2009 | Name changed to Airbnb |
| 2011 | International expansion |
| 2016 | Experiences launched |
| 2017 | Luxury Retreats acquired |
| 2019 | HotelTonight acquired |
| 2020 | Initial public offering |
| 2022 | Categories, Split Stays, and AirCover for guests |
| 2023 | Gameplanner.AI acquired |
| 2025 | Services and rebuilt Experiences launched |
| 2026 | Trip services and boutique hotels expanded |
- Where was Airbnb founded?
- Airbnb was founded in San Francisco, California, United States in 2008. en.wikipedia.org
- Who founded Airbnb?
- Airbnb was founded by Brian Chesky, Nathan Blecharczyk and Joe Gebbia.
- When did Airbnb start?
- Airbnb was founded in 2008.
- How old is Airbnb?
- Airbnb is 18 years old as of 2026.
Founding Story
Airbnb's official history begins in October 2007, when Brian Chesky and Joe Gebbia welcomed three guests to their San Francisco home. Airbed & Breakfast formally launched in 2008, and the company adopted the Airbnb name in 2009 as it expanded beyond rooms.
Founders
Brian Chesky
Brian Chesky co-founded Airbnb and has served as chief executive officer since the company's founding. He led Airbnb through its December 2020 public offering and remained CEO in the FY2025 Form 10-K. Brian Chesky was born in 1981 in Niskayuna. Education: Niskayuna High School. Brian Joseph Chesky was born on August 29, 1981. He trained as an industrial designer and owns about 10 percent of Airbnb.
Nathan Blecharczyk
Nathan Blecharczyk co-founded Airbnb and built the early platform. He remained an Airbnb director when the company filed its FY2025 Form 10-K. Nathan Blecharczyk was born in 1983. Education: Harvard University; Boston Latin Academy. Blecharczyk was born in 1983. He was Airbnb's first chief technology officer and is now chief strategy officer and chairman of Airbnb China.
Joe Gebbia
Joe Gebbia co-founded Airbnb and contributed to its early product and design. He remained an Airbnb director when the company filed its FY2025 Form 10-K. Joe Gebbia was born in 1981 in Atlanta. Education: Brookwood High School. Joseph Gebbia Jr. was born on August 21, 1981. He sits on Airbnb's board but has not been involved in running the company since 2022, the year he joined the board of Tesla. He also co-founded Samara, which builds accessory dwelling units, and in 2025 was appointed the first Chief Design Officer of the United States, leading the National Design Studio.
Key Milestones
First Airbed & Breakfast guests
Brian Chesky and Joe Gebbia hosted three guests in their San Francisco home in October 2007.
Source: sec.govFormal launch and DNC bookings
Airbed & Breakfast formally launched in 2008 and recorded 80 bookings around the Democratic National Convention.
Source: sec.govName changed to Airbnb
The company changed its name from Airbed & Breakfast to Airbnb and expanded beyond rooms to apartments, whole homes, and vacation rentals.
Source: sec.govInternational expansion
Airbnb began international expansion by opening a German office in June 2011.
Source: sec.govExperiences launched
Airbnb launched Experiences in November 2016, adding host-led activities to the marketplace.
Source: sec.govLuxury Retreats acquired
Airbnb acquired Luxury Retreats, adding more than 4,000 luxury homes in 100 destinations and concierge capabilities.
Source: news.airbnb.comHotelTonight acquired
Airbnb agreed to acquire HotelTonight to add last-minute booking and boutique and independent hotel supply.
Source: news.airbnb.comInitial public offering
Airbnb priced its initial public offering at $68 per share and began Nasdaq trading under ABNB in December 2020.
Source: investors.airbnb.comCategories, Split Stays, and AirCover for guests
Airbnb's 2022 Summer Release introduced Categories, Split Stays, and AirCover for guests.
Source: sec.govGameplanner.AI acquired
Airbnb acquired Gameplanner.AI to add artificial-intelligence expertise to product development.
Source: sec.govServices and rebuilt Experiences launched
Airbnb launched Services, rebuilt Experiences, and an updated app in May 2025.
Source: news.airbnb.comTrip services and boutique hotels expanded
Airbnb's May 2026 release added trip-service partners, boutique hotels in selected destinations, and AI-assisted app features.
Source: news.airbnb.comMajor Acquisitions
Luxury Retreats
2017Airbnb acquired Luxury Retreats to add luxury vacation rentals, concierge service, and more than 4,000 homes in 100 destinations.
HotelTonight
2019Airbnb acquired HotelTonight to add last-minute booking and boutique and independent hotel supply.
Gameplanner.AI
2023Airbnb acquired Gameplanner.AI to add artificial-intelligence expertise to its product development.
Urbandoor
2019Airbnb acquired Urbandoor to add furnished and serviced apartments for extended business travel, relocations, and longer stays.
Keep researching Airbnb
Airbnb Company History FAQ
When did Airbnb begin?
The first guests stayed with Brian Chesky and Joe Gebbia in October 2007. Airbed & Breakfast formally launched in 2008 and became Airbnb in 2009.
When did Airbnb go public?
ABNB began trading on Nasdaq on December 10, 2020 after an IPO priced at $68 per share.
How did Airbnb start?
It started in 2007 when founders Brian Chesky and Joe Gebbia put air mattresses in their San Francisco living room to make rent during a massive design conference.
Related Strategic History
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