Brian Chesky

How it started.

Brian grew up in Niskayuna, New York, and graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design in 2004 with a degree in industrial design. That background became central to Airbnb: its official biography describes a company shaped around design, trust and connection.

Three airbeds.

In 2007, Brian and Joe Gebbia became hosts in their San Francisco home, welcoming three guests. Together with Nathan Blecharczyk, they started Airbnb in 2008. Before the business found its footing, the founders sold election-themed cereal boxes to help fund it.

Finding momentum.

Airbnb joined Y Combinator in 2009. In a letter to Joe, Brian recalled the three founders living and working together, driving to the program in Joe’s Jeep and talking through the business every Sunday. Brian wrote that Airbnb began to take off within a few months.

Designing beyond the stay.

As CEO, Brian sets Airbnb’s vision and strategy. Recent launches include Icons, which offered experiences such as staying in a recreation of the house from Up, and Airbnb Services, which brought offerings such as chefs and massage into the app.