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 :
- #429 - Nicolas Dessaigne - Y Combinator - Le berceau des futurs géants de la tech
- #461 - Sébastien Bazin - PDG du groupe Accor - Diriger un groupe coté en bourse sans ordinateur
- #420 - Stanislas Niox-Chateau - Doctolib : derrière la plus grosse marque de la French tech
- #452 - Reid Hoffman - LinkedIn, Paypal - “We are more Homo technicus than Homo sapiens”
A few recent episodes in English :
- #452 - Reid Hoffman - LinkedIn, Paypal - “We are more Homo technicus than Homo sapiens”
- #437 - James Dyson - Dyson - “Failure is more exciting than success”
- #431 - Sean Rad - Tinder - How the swipe fever took over the world
We spoke about :
Popular Podcasts
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Special Summer Offer: Exclusively on Apple Podcasts, try our Dateline Premium subscription completely free for one month! With Dateline Premium, you get every episode ad-free plus exclusive bonus content.
The Breakfast Club
The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.