Retrouvez l'épisode en version française ici : https://www.gdiy.fr/podcast/brian-chesky-vf/

Airbnb is bigger than any hotel chains around the world.

80+ billion turnover in 2024—more than 2.5 billion stays since the beginning.

The figures are mindblowing, it’s probably the fastest growing tech platform in the tourism industry, it has changed lives all around the world, especially in France.

What began as a scrappy side gig has become so much more than a company: it’s a whole new way to explore the world.

And yet, back in 2007, Brian Chesky’s “grand vision” was born simply because he couldn’t cover his San Francisco rent.

The story is now legendary: a sold-out design conference, travelers crammed into town, and a friend’s inflatable mattress sparking a lightbulb moment—to offer a cheaper night than any hotel. AirBed & Breakfast was born.

Over the next decade and a half, those humble airbeds turned into spare bedrooms, then entire homes—until the small startup backed by Y Combinator became a global phenomenon.

Today, the company that flipped lodging on its head isn’t stopping at homes: with “from couch to castle” as its rallying cry, Airbnb is pivoting into services and experiences, on its way to becoming the ultimate all-in-one travel “super app.”

In this unmissable episode, Brian Chesky pulls back the curtain on two decades of explosive growth—while never losing sight of his “founder mode.”

You’ll hear:

Brian’s top hacks for turning a profit on Airbnb
How Airbnb’s strategic pivot layers in everything from private chefs to hair stylists
Building a platform people will use in unexpected ways
Why AI will upend the way we interact with every app
The two bold bets that catapulted Airbnb to global domination

Whether you’re curious about the past, excited for the future of travel tech, or just want to pick the brain of a true Silicon Valley OG, this episode of GDIY is a can’t-miss.

TIMELINE:

00:00:00 : From the original “airbeds” to the billion dollar company
00:11:31 : The best tips to earn a fortune as a host on Airbnb
00:19:38 : The largest demographic spectrum : from couch to castles
00:28:26 : How to create a platform that enables creativity and the new “experience” feature
00:43:04 : $80 billions transactions... in 2024 only
00:49:49 : The right way to use Airbnb as a guest and as a host
01:09:11 : The secret to maintain core values in your company
01:21:08 : How to stay close to co-founders and employees
01:28:41 : What will be the impact of AI on our professional and personal lives
01:37:38 : The two bets/truths that made Airbnb so successful

We referred to previous GDIY episodes :

A few recent episodes in English :

We spoke about :

Reading Recommendations :

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