Airbnb is an online community marketplace for people to list, discover, and book accommodations through mobile phones or the internet. Based in San Francisco, California, the platform is accessible via website and mobile app. Airbnb does not own any of the listed properties; instead, it profits by receiving 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.
Initially supported by the start-up incubator Y-Combinator in 2009, it has raised until now more than 6 billion USD from top-tier VC firms such as Sequoia Capital, Greylock Partners, Andreessen Horowitz, TPG Capital or General Atlantic. It is now valued at over 100 billion usd.
The company has revolutionized the hospitality sector by allowing individuals to monetize their private spaces. By offering over 7 millions accomodations, it allows now people to find short-term lodging in more than 80,000 cities and 220 countries and regions across the globe. It has now reached more than half-billion guest arrivals to date.