Airbnb: From Air Mattresses to Global Lodging Giant Airbnb's journey began in 2007 when Brian Chesky and Joe Gebbia, San Francisco roommates, conceived the idea of renting out an air mattress. Partnering with Nathan Blecharczyk, they launched AirBed & Breakfast in 2008, capitalizing on a saturated hotel market. Initial funding came from selling Obama and McCain-themed cereal, followed by a crucial boost from Y Combinator. Rapid growth saw 10,000 users and 2,500 listings by 2009. The name was shortened to Airbnb, reflecting the expansion beyond air mattresses to entire rooms and properties. Significant milestones included winning a South by Southwest award in 2011 and launching "Neighborhoods," a travel guide, in 2012. By 2013, Airbnb had served 9 million guests. Subsequent years witnessed design overhauls, strategic partnerships (including Concur), and expansion into Cuba. Addressing discrimination concerns, Airbnb implemented policies to protect guests, while launching "Experiences" and investing in other ventures like Resy. The company's evolution involved luxury offerings like Airbnb Plus and Beyond, alongside documentary production and an animal welfare policy. The COVID-19 pandemic impacted Airbnb significantly, leading to temporary booking drops and layoffs. However, a subsequent initial public offering (IPO) in 2020 raised $3.5 billion, highlighting resilience. Recent setbacks include suspending operations in Russia, Belarus, and China due to geopolitical factors and regulatory challenges. Persistent issues included accusations of complicity in Uyghur persecution and the eventual permanent ban on parties on the platform. Despite these challenges, Airbnb's global expansion, evident through international office openings and a remote work policy, underscores its ongoing impact on the hospitality industry.