Mike Segar/Reuters
Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky
- Since its launch in 2008, Airbnb has gone from a startup renting air matresses to a multi-billion dollar global travel company.
- After a wave of lukewarm receptions for tech IPOs last year, Airbnb announced its own plans to brave the public markets in 2020.
- Investors wil be taking a close look at the company's reported losses, but also at its past acquisitions and how they will play into Airbnb's strategy going forward.
- Here's a list of all the companies Airbnb has bought up over the past twelve years.
Airbnb began out of necessity and good timing, as many startups do. Its founders needed to make rent, and with hotels in short supply thanks to a big design conference that was in town, they decided to offer up a spot on their floor, complete with an air mattress and breakfast.
Fast-forward twelve years later, and Airbnb has grown into a multi-billion dollar travel business offering everything from bespoke trips to property management services, with seven million rental property listings in more than 220 countries. But that didn't happen overnight.
Along the way, Airbnb gradually introduced additional products and services, expanding into new territory like business travel and entering markets across the globe. Sometimes, it took advantage help from the outside by buying up talent, technology, and potential competitors - often using them to launch new products and services all its own.
Last valued at $31 billion, Airbnb has said that it plans to go public this year. Investors wil be taking a close look at the company's reported losses, but also at its past acquisitions and how they will play into Airbnb's strategy going forward.
Since its inception in 2008, Airbnb has acquired 21 companies, from accessible travel startups to bitcoin payment apps.
Here is a list of all of the companies Airbnb has purchased over the years - at least, the ones we know about.