Airbnb vs Samsung: Founders, CEOs and History
Airbnb was founded in 2008 by Brian Chesky, Nathan Blecharczyk, Joe Gebbia and is led by Brian Chesky. Samsung was founded in 1969 by Lee Byung-chul and is led by Jun Young-hyun and Roh Tae-moon.
Company facts
Founders
Airbnb
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.
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.
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.
Samsung
Lee Byung-chul
Lee Byung-chul founded Samsung Sanghoe in Daegu in 1938, trading dried fish, produce and noodles.
CEOs and their tenures
Airbnb
- Brian Chesky2008–present
Co-Founder and CEO
Brian Chesky co-founded Airbnb and has served as CEO since its founding.
Source - Joe Gebbia2008–2022
Co-Founder and product leader
Joe Gebbia co-founded Airbnb and worked on its early product and design.
Source
Samsung
- Jong-Hee Han2022–2025
Vice Chairman and CEO
A longtime TV business leader who helped keep Samsung the top global TV brand. He died suddenly in March 2025 while in office.
Source - Jay Y. Lee2022–present
Executive Chairman
Grandson of the founder and son of Lee Kun-hee. He was convicted in the 2017 bribery case and pardoned in 2022, and became Executive Chairman in October 2022. In 2025 the Supreme Court upheld his acquittal in the separate merger and accounting fraud case.
Source - Jun Young-hyun2024–present
Vice Chairman, Co-Chief Executive Officer, Head of Device Solutions
He implemented a complete overhaul of the semiconductor division's engineering processes, issuing a rare public apology in 2024 for the company's technological delays.
Source - Roh Tae-moon (TM Roh)2025–present
Co-Chief Executive Officer, Head of Device eXperience
As head of the MX (Mobile eXperience) division, he heavily integrated AI features (Galaxy AI) into the S-series flagship phones to combat Apple's dominance in the premium tier.
Source
Timeline: Airbnb and Samsung side by side
1938Samsung
Samsung Group begins
Lee Byung-chul founded Samsung as a trading company before later generations expanded the group into electronics and industry.
1969Samsung
Samsung Electronics established
Samsung Electronics Industry Co. Ltd. was established as the group entered electronics manufacturing.
1977Samsung
Korea Semiconductor acquired
Samsung acquired Korea Semiconductor, a key step toward memory and component manufacturing leadership.
1993Samsung
New Management initiative
Lee Kun-hee launched the New Management push to raise quality, design, and global competitiveness.
2007Airbnb
First Airbed & Breakfast guests
Brian Chesky and Joe Gebbia hosted three guests in their San Francisco home in October 2007.
2008Airbnb
Formal launch and DNC bookings
Airbed & Breakfast formally launched in 2008 and recorded 80 bookings around the Democratic National Convention.
2009Airbnb
Name changed to Airbnb
The company changed its name from Airbed & Breakfast to Airbnb and expanded beyond rooms to apartments, whole homes, and vacation rentals.
2011Airbnb
International expansion
Airbnb began international expansion by opening a German office in June 2011.
2016Airbnb
Experiences launched
Airbnb launched Experiences in November 2016, adding host-led activities to the marketplace.
2017Airbnb
Luxury Retreats acquired
Airbnb acquired Luxury Retreats, adding more than 4,000 luxury homes in 100 destinations and concierge capabilities.
2017Samsung
Harman acquisition closes
Samsung completed the Harman acquisition, expanding into connected car systems and premium audio.
2019Airbnb
HotelTonight acquired
Airbnb agreed to acquire HotelTonight to add last-minute booking and boutique and independent hotel supply.
2020Airbnb
Initial public offering
Airbnb priced its initial public offering at $68 per share and began Nasdaq trading under ABNB in December 2020.
2022Airbnb
Categories, Split Stays, and AirCover for guests
Airbnb's 2022 Summer Release introduced Categories, Split Stays, and AirCover for guests.
2022Samsung
Jong-Hee Han becomes CEO
Jong-Hee Han became CEO of Samsung Electronics Co. in 2022. A longtime TV business leader who helped keep Samsung the top global TV brand.
2023Airbnb
Gameplanner.AI acquired
Airbnb acquired Gameplanner.AI to add artificial-intelligence expertise to product development.
2024Samsung
Jun Young-hyun becomes CEO
Jun Young-hyun became CEO of Samsung Electronics Co. in 2024. Head of the semiconductor (Device Solutions) division and memory business; sole CEO for part of 2025 after Han Jong-hee's death, then co-CEO with TM Roh from November 2025.
2025Airbnb
Services and rebuilt Experiences launched
Airbnb launched Services, rebuilt Experiences, and an updated app in May 2025.
2025Samsung
TM Roh joins Young Hyun Jun as co-CEO
Samsung named TM Roh Head of Device eXperience and CEO, joining Young Hyun Jun as co-CEO.
2025Samsung
Annual revenue reaches ~$237B (KRW 333.6T)
Samsung Electronics reported ~$237 billion (KRW 333.6 trillion) in 2025 annual revenue and ~$31 billion (KRW 43.6 trillion) in operating profit.
2025Samsung
Roh Tae-moon (TM Roh) becomes CEO
Roh Tae-moon (TM Roh) became CEO of Samsung Electronics Co. in 2025. Longtime head of the mobile business.
2026Airbnb
Trip services and boutique hotels expanded
Airbnb's May 2026 release added trip-service partners, boutique hotels in selected destinations, and AI-assisted app features.
Acquisitions
Airbnb
- Gameplanner.AI2023Undisclosed
- HotelTonight2019Undisclosed
- Urbandoor2019Undisclosed
- Luxury Retreats2017Undisclosed
Samsung
- FlaktGroup2025$1.7B
- Xealth2025Undisclosed
- Harman International2017$8B
- SmartThings2014$200M
Questions about Airbnb vs Samsung
Who is the CEO of Airbnb, Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.?
Airbnb, Inc. is led by Brian Chesky and Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is led by Jun Young-hyun and Roh Tae-moon. Both serve as the top executive responsible for the company's strategy, operations, and financial performance.
When was Airbnb, Inc. founded vs Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.?
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. was founded in 1969 — 39 years before Airbnb, Inc., which was founded in 2008. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.'s longer operating history gives it a deeper track record but also potentially more institutional inertia compared to the younger Airbnb, Inc..
How many employees does Airbnb, Inc. have compared to Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.?
Airbnb, Inc. employs approximately 8,200 people, while Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. employs approximately 259,149. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. has the larger workforce at 259,149 employees, compared to Airbnb, Inc.'s 8,200. A higher headcount does not necessarily imply greater efficiency — it often reflects differences in business model (e.g., manufacturing vs. software).
Where are Airbnb, Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. headquartered?
Airbnb, Inc. is headquartered in United States and Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is headquartered in South Korea. Their different home markets mean they may face different regulatory frameworks, tax regimes, and currency exposure.
Who founded Airbnb, Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.?
Airbnb, Inc. was founded by Brian Chesky, Nathan Blecharczyk, Joe Gebbia. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. was founded by Lee Byung-chul.
Which company has a longer operating history — Airbnb, Inc. or Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.?
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. has been operating for approximately 57 years, making it the more established of the two companies. Airbnb, Inc. has been in operation for around 18 years. A longer operating history often signals greater institutional resilience and brand recognition, though it can also mean slower adaptation to new market conditions.
Figures come from each company's filings and the sources linked beside them. Amounts reported in another currency are shown in US dollars at an approximate rate and marked with ~. Back to the Airbnb vs Samsung overview