Airbnb vs Walmart: Founders, CEOs and History
Airbnb was founded in 2008 by Brian Chesky, Nathan Blecharczyk, Joe Gebbia and is led by Brian Chesky. Walmart was founded in 1962 by Sam Walton and is led by John Furner.
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.
Walmart
Sam Walton
Sam Walton opened the first Walmart Discount City in Rogers, Arkansas in 1962 and built the company around low prices, low costs, and its own distribution network. He served as CEO until 1988 and remained chairman until his death in 1992.
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
Walmart
- Sam Walton1962–1988
Founder and CEO
Founded Walmart and set its low-price, low-cost operating approach.
Source - Doug McMillon2014–2026
Former President and CEO
Led Walmart's push into ecommerce, marketplace, advertising, and store-fulfilled delivery, and oversaw the Jet.com, Flipkart, and VIZIO deals.
Source - Greg Penner2015–present
Chairman of the Board
He successfully managed the transition of corporate leadership to Doug McMillon and actively oversees the Walton family's controlling stake in the retail giant.
Source - John David Rainey2022–present
Executive Vice President and CFO
As CFO, he aggressively executed multi-billion-dollar share repurchases while funding massive capital expenditures for store remodels and automation.
Source - John Furner2026–present
President and CEO
Became President and CEO on February 1, 2026, succeeding Doug McMillon. He reshaped the executive team with internal promotions in January 2026.
Source - David Guggina2026–present
President and CEO, Walmart U.S.
As head of supply chain operations, he modernized the underlying logistics network that allowed Walmart to successfully compete with Amazon's two-day delivery speeds.
Source
Timeline: Airbnb and Walmart side by side
1962Walmart
First Walmart Opens
Sam Walton opens the first Walmart Discount City in Rogers, Arkansas.
1970Walmart
Walmart Goes Public
Walmart sells shares to the public to fund expansion.
1983Walmart
Sam's Club Launches
The first Sam's Club warehouse club opens in Midwest City, Oklahoma.
1988Walmart
First Supercenter and New CEO
Walmart opens its first supercenter, and David Glass succeeds Sam Walton as CEO.
2000Walmart
Lee Scott Becomes CEO
Lee Scott succeeds David Glass as CEO.
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.
2014Walmart
Doug McMillon Becomes CEO
Doug McMillon, who started as an hourly associate in 1984, becomes CEO.
2016Airbnb
Experiences launched
Airbnb launched Experiences in November 2016, adding host-led activities to the marketplace.
2016Walmart
Jet.com Acquisition
Walmart buys Jet.com for about $3.3 billion to strengthen its U.S. ecommerce team.
2017Airbnb
Luxury Retreats acquired
Airbnb acquired Luxury Retreats, adding more than 4,000 luxury homes in 100 destinations and concierge capabilities.
2018Walmart
Flipkart Investment
Walmart acquires a majority stake in Flipkart for about $16 billion.
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.
2023Airbnb
Gameplanner.AI acquired
Airbnb acquired Gameplanner.AI to add artificial-intelligence expertise to product development.
2024Walmart
VIZIO Acquisition
Walmart completes its $2.3 billion purchase of smart-TV maker VIZIO to expand its advertising business.
2025Airbnb
Services and rebuilt Experiences launched
Airbnb launched Services, rebuilt Experiences, and an updated app in May 2025.
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.
2026Walmart
John Furner Becomes CEO
John Furner succeeds Doug McMillon as President and CEO effective February 1, 2026; David Guggina takes over Walmart U.S.
2026Walmart
Q2 FY27 Results
Walmart reports Q2 FY27 revenue of $187.9 billion, up 5.9%, and raises full-year sales and operating income guidance.
Acquisitions
Airbnb
- Gameplanner.AI2023Undisclosed
- HotelTonight2019Undisclosed
- Urbandoor2019Undisclosed
- Luxury Retreats2017Undisclosed
Questions about Airbnb vs Walmart
Who is the CEO of Airbnb, Inc. and Walmart Inc.?
Airbnb, Inc. is led by Brian Chesky and Walmart Inc. is led by John Furner. Both serve as the top executive responsible for the company's strategy, operations, and financial performance.
When was Airbnb, Inc. founded vs Walmart Inc.?
Walmart Inc. was founded in 1962 — 46 years before Airbnb, Inc., which was founded in 2008. Walmart Inc.'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 Walmart Inc.?
Airbnb, Inc. employs approximately 8,200 people, while Walmart Inc. employs approximately 2,100,000. Walmart Inc. has the larger workforce at 2,100,000 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 Walmart Inc. headquartered?
Both Airbnb, Inc. and Walmart Inc. are headquartered in United States, meaning they operate under the same primary regulatory and tax environment.
Who founded Airbnb, Inc. and Walmart Inc.?
Airbnb, Inc. was founded by Brian Chesky, Nathan Blecharczyk, Joe Gebbia. Walmart Inc. was founded by Sam Walton.
Which company has a longer operating history — Airbnb, Inc. or Walmart Inc.?
Walmart Inc. has been operating for approximately 64 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 Walmart overview