<p><img src="https://static3.businessinsider.com/image/5d83cb652e22af357c306b32-2000/untitled%20design%2092.png" border="0" alt="brian chesky" data-mce-source="Mike Windle/Getty"></p><p></p><bi-shortcode id="summary-shortcode" data-type="summary-shortcode" class="mceNonEditable" contenteditable="false">Summary List Placement</bi-shortcode><p>Brian Chesky didn't know much about tech before starting Airbnb.</p><p>The now 39-year-old CEO majored in industrial design in college, and dabbled in hockey and bodybuilding in his 20s. But now, he's grown an idea that stemmed from overbooked hotels into a multi-billion-dollar startup, and has become one of Silicon Valley's key players.</p><p>Earlier this month, Airbnb <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/airbnb-files-s1-public-ipo-paperwork-revenue-losses-covid-19-2020-11">publicly revealed its paperwork for an initial public offering</a>, slated to be one of the most highly anticipated IPOs of the year.</p><p>Here's how the Brian Chesky, an upstate New York native, became one of the richest young tech founders in America.</p><p><strong>SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/steve-jobs-elon-musk-bill-gates-mark-zuckerberg-diets-2019-3" >Here are the diets of notable tech billionaires, from Jack Dorsey's 'playing with fasting' to Bill Gates' Diet Coke obsession</a></strong></p><h3>Chesky grew up in Niskayuna, New York, north of Albany. He was into hockey, and he also liked to draw and design new versions Nike sneakers, which turned into an interest in art.</h3><img src="https://static1.businessinsider.com/image/57b1c180ce38f222008b69c2-400-300/chesky-grew-up-in-niskayuna-new-york-north-of-albany-he-was-into-hockey-and-he-also-liked-to-draw-and-design-new-versions-nike-sneakers-which-turned-into-an-interest-in-art.jpg" alt="" /><p><p><em>Source: <a href="https://fortune.com/longform/brian-chesky-airbnb/">Fortune</a></em></p></p><br/><br/><h3>Chesky's high school yearbook quote was "I'm sure I'll amount to nothing." He thought it was funnyhis dad didn't.</h3><p><biembeddedobject id="41f94127-14ab-4b14-80c9-7c5bfd9d0a9e" class="instagram mceNonEditable" style="width: 540px; height: autopx;">Instagram Embed: <br />//instagram.com/p/BUxCO3Qj5yf/embed <br />Width: 540px</biembeddedobject><p>"Earlier this year, he was happy to find out I'd be speaking at both my high school and college as the commencement speaker," Chesky <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BUxCO3Qj5yf/'taken-by=bchesky&hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener">wrote on Instagram</a> in 2017. "See you soon Dad!"</p><p> </p></p><br/><br/><h3>In 1999, Chesky attended Rhode Island School of Design, where he served as captain of the hockey team and studied industrial design.</h3><img src="https://static6.businessinsider.com/image/57b1c1bbce38f238008b6b12-400-300/in-1999-chesky-attended-rhode-island-school-of-design-where-he-served-as-captain-of-the-hockey-team-and-studied-industrial-design.jpg" alt="" /><p><p><em>Source: <a href="https://fortune.com/longform/brian-chesky-airbnb/">Fortune</a></em></p></p><br/><br/><h3>At RISD, Chesky met Joe Gebbia, with whom he would eventually cofound Airbnb. Right before graduation, Gebbia reportedly pulled Chesky aside and said: "Before you get on the plane, there's something I need to tell you. We're going to start a company one day, and they're going to write a book about it."</h3><img src="https://static2.businessinsider.com/image/57b1ef4dce38f238008b6c6b-400-300/at-risd-chesky-met-joe-gebbia-with-whom-he-would-eventually-cofound-airbnb-right-before-graduation-gebbia-reportedly-pulled-chesky-aside-and-said-before-you-get-on-the-plane-theres-something-i-need-to-tell-you-were-going-to-start-a-company-one-day-and-theyre-going-to-write-a-book-about-it.jpg" alt="" /><p><p><em>Source: <a href="https://fortune.com/longform/brian-chesky-airbnb/">Fortune</a></em></p></p><br/><br/><h3>In his early 20s, Chesky was a competitive bodybuilder. He was described in a 2014 profile as still having "16-inch biceps."</h3><img src="https://static1.businessinsider.com/image/57b1d07ddb5ce9b61b8b69e8-400-300/in-his-early-20s-chesky-was-a-competitive-bodybuilder-he-was-described-in-a-2014-profile-as-still-having-16-inch-biceps.jpg" alt="" /><p><p>In a 2014 <a href="http://www.fastcompany.com/3027107/punk-meet-rock-airbnb-brian-chesky-chip-conley" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Fast Company profile</a>, Chesky is described as an imposing figure: "A former hockey player and bodybuilder with 16-inch biceps, the CEO commands attention. His boomerang grin and slant nose work to sharply focus his attention on you. Rather than turn his head toward me, he physically picks up his chair and pivots it directly so we're eye to eye."</p></p><br/><br/><h3>After graduating from RISD, Chesky moved to Los Angeles to work as an industrial designer, for which he made $40,000 a year.</h3><img src="https://static2.businessinsider.com/image/5fb3d52c15164e2d394668ed-400-300/after-graduating-from-risd-chesky-moved-to-los-angeles-to-work-as-an-industrial-designer-for-which-he-made-40000-a-year.jpg" alt="" /><p><p><em>Source: <a href="https://www.forbes.com/profile/brian-chesky/'list=rtb/#28e717b144d3">Forbes</a></em></p></p><br/><br/><h3>But shortly thereafter, he moved to San Francisco and in with Gebbia. The two unemployed grads soon ran out of cash. When a design conference came to town in October 2007 and caused all the hotels to sell out, Gebbia pitched Chesky the idea of renting out their space to those who couldn't find a place to staya "designers bed and breakfast."</h3><p><biembeddedobject id="1b419678-32d9-4bec-b43d-47514846c7a4" class="twitter" style="width: 600px; height: 200px;">Tweet Embed:<br />https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/699646672125558784<br />Here is the email that started Airbnb. Shown onstage at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TED'src=hash">#TED</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TED2016'src=hash">#TED2016</a> <a href="https://t.co/A2ZF9Epcxj">pic.twitter.com/A2ZF9Epcxj</a></biembeddedobject><p><em>Source: <a href="https://fortune.com/longform/brian-chesky-airbnb/">Fortune</a></em></p><p><script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></p><br/><br/><h3>The roommates ended up housing three people that weekend, offering up air mattresses and floor space, as well as Pop-Tarts for breakfast.</h3><img src="https://static3.businessinsider.com/image/5d83a9892e22af30e275f1f4-400-300/the-roommates-ended-up-housing-three-people-that-weekend-offering-up-air-mattresses-and-floor-space-as-well-as-pop-tarts-for-breakfast.jpg" alt="" /><p><p><em>Source: <a href="https://fortune.com/longform/brian-chesky-airbnb/">Fortune</a></em></p></p><br/><br/><h3>A few months later, Gebbia and Chesky were joined by their engineer friend, Nathan Blecharczyk. Together, the three guys started what was at the time called Airbedandbreakfast.com in August 2008. Chesky "gravitated naturally to the role of leader," Fortune wrote in 2015.</h3><img src="https://static5.businessinsider.com/image/57b1c6e6db5ce92c168b6a3b-400-300/a-few-months-later-gebbia-and-chesky-were-joined-by-their-engineer-friend-nathan-blecharczyk-together-the-three-guys-started-what-was-at-the-time-called-airbedandbreakfastcom-in-august-2008-chesky-gravitated-naturally-to-the-role-of-leader-fortune-wrote-in-2015.jpg" alt="" /><p><p><em>Source: <a href="https://fortune.com/longform/brian-chesky-airbnb/">Fortune</a></em></p></p><br/><br/><h3>Since then, Airbnb has not only shortened its name, but has listings in more than 191 countries worldwide. The company has served an estimated 800 million guests since its 2008 launch. Airbnb was last valued at $18 billion, making it one of the most valuable startups in the US.</h3><img src="https://static3.businessinsider.com/image/5669fd2472f2c14d028b4c1f-400-300/since-then-airbnb-has-not-only-shortened-its-name-but-has-listings-in-more-than-191-countries-worldwide-the-company-has-served-an-estimated-800-million-guests-since-its-2008-launch-airbnb-was-last-valued-at-18-billion-making-it-one-of-the-most-valuable-startups-in-the-us.jpg" alt="" /><p><p><em>Source: <a href="https://press.airbnb.com/fast-facts/">Airbnb</a>, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/airbnb-files-s1-public-ipo-paperwork-revenue-losses-covid-19-2020-11">Business Insider</a></em></p></p><br/><br/><h3>Now 39, Chesky's net worth stands at $3.1 billion. It's unclear how much of a stake Chesky owns in Airbnb, but it's estimated at just under 15%.</h3><img src="https://static2.businessinsider.com/image/57b1cba5db5ce950008b6b6b-400-300/now-39-cheskys-net-worth-stands-at-31-billion-its-unclear-how-much-of-a-stake-chesky-owns-in-airbnb-but-its-estimated-at-just-under-15.jpg" alt="" /><p><p><em>Source: <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexkonrad/2014/03/20/airbnb-cofounders-are-billionaires/#73799fc73e1c">Forbes</a></em></p></p><br/><br/><h3>In 2015, Chesky was named to the Time 100 as one of the most influential people alive. Apple's former design chief, Jony Ive, wrote at the time that Chesky's "audacity is fabulous."</h3><img src="https://static4.businessinsider.com/image/5d83b4c02e22af0cb06b1316-400-300/in-2015-chesky-was-named-to-the-time-100-as-one-of-the-most-influential-people-alive-apples-former-design-chief-jony-ive-wrote-at-the-time-that-cheskys-audacity-is-fabulous.jpg" alt="" /><p><p><em>Source: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/jony-ive-airbnb-brian-chesky-time-100-list-2015-4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Business Insider</a></em></p></p><br/><br/><h3>Chesky is not married, though he was previously in a relationship with artist Elissa Patel. Chesky has a golden retriever named Sir Richard Parker who hangs out at Airbnb headquarters and accompanies him on road trips.</h3><p><biembeddedobject id="5014d6ca-4ee2-4a3d-be18-963ee89c19a0" class="instagram mceNonEditable" style="width: 540px; height: autopx;">Instagram Embed: <br />//instagram.com/p/2glyefjj7Q/embed <br />Width: 540px</biembeddedobject><p> </p></p><br/><br/><h3>In 2016, Chesky, as well as Airbnb's two other cofounders, all publicly signed the Giving Pledge, a philanthropic initiative started by Warren Buffett and Bill and Melinda Gates. By doing so, they promise donate more than half of their wealth within their lifetimes.</h3><img src="https://static2.businessinsider.com/image/57b1ccfbdb5ce949188b69e8-400-300/in-2016-chesky-as-well-as-airbnbs-two-other-cofounders-all-publicly-signed-the-giving-pledge-a-philanthropic-initiative-started-by-warren-buffett-and-bill-and-melinda-gates-by-doing-so-they-promise-donate-more-than-half-of-their-wealth-within-their-lifetimes.jpg" alt="" /><p><p><em>Source: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/billionaires-join-the-bill-gates-and-warren-buffet-giving-pledge-to-give-away-their-wealth-2016-6">Business Insider</a></em></p></p><br/><br/><h3>Up until 2016, Chesky was still renting out his couch in his San Francisco apartment on Airbnb. But after getting caught flouting a San Francisco law that requires hosts to register with the city, Chesky was forced to take the listing down.</h3><img src="https://static1.businessinsider.com/image/57b1d0f9db5ce91d008b6b11-400-300/up-until-2016-chesky-was-still-renting-out-his-couch-in-his-san-francisco-apartment-on-airbnb-but-after-getting-caught-flouting-a-san-francisco-law-that-requires-hosts-to-register-with-the-city-chesky-was-forced-to-take-the-listing-down.jpg" alt="" /><p><p><em>Source: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/airbnb-ceo-violated-sf-registration-law-2016-1">Business Insider</a></em></p></p><br/><br/><h3>While he remains CEO, Chesky handed over daily operations of the company to Blecharczyk in 2014. These days, Chesky remains focused on Airbnb's future moves.</h3><img src="https://static4.businessinsider.com/image/57b1d0eadb5ce950008b6b8e-400-300/while-he-remains-ceo-chesky-handed-over-daily-operations-of-the-company-to-blecharczyk-in-2014-these-days-chesky-remains-focused-on-airbnbs-future-moves.jpg" alt="" /><p><p><em>Source: <a href="http://www.vanityfair.com/news/2016/11/airbnb-brian-chesky" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Vanity Fair</a></em></p></p><br/><br/><h3>Airbnb announced in September 2019 that it planned to go public in 2020.</h3><img src="https://static5.businessinsider.com/image/5d83b5462e22af1e7e6158fb-400-300/airbnb-announced-in-september-2019-that-it-planned-to-go-public-in-2020.jpg" alt="" /><p><p><em>Source: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/airbnb-announces-plan-to-go-public-in-2020-ipo-2019-9">Business Insider</a></em></p></p><br/><br/><h3>But its IPO was a question mark for much of 2020 after the coronavirus pandemic hit: in early March, Airbnb's revenue plummeted 80% due to virus-related travel restrictions. Airbnb burned through its cash reserves and opted to raise $2 billion in debt and equity financing to stay afloat. Its valuation, previously $31 billion, slipped to $18 billion.</h3><img src="https://static2.businessinsider.com/image/5fb3da1584aa302f7e425128-400-300/but-its-ipo-was-a-question-mark-for-much-of-2020-after-the-coronavirus-pandemic-hit-in-early-march-airbnbs-revenue-plummeted-80-due-to-virus-related-travel-restrictions-airbnb-burned-through-its-cash-reserves-and-opted-to-raise-2-billion-in-debt-and-equity-financing-to-stay-afloat-its-valuation-previously-31-billion-slipped-to-18-billion.jpg" alt="" /><p><p><em>Source: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/airbnb-ceo-brian-chesky-pandemic-challenges-resiliency-ipo-interview-2020-9'r=ah-sub">Business Insider</a>, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/airbnb-paying-10-percent-interest-debt-valuation-cut-18-billion-2020-4'r=ts-sub">Business Insider</a></em></p></p><br/><br/><h3>Airbnb laid off 1,900 employees, about 25% of its full-time staff, and hundreds of contractors. The move was met with frustration from employees who said they felt betrayed by the decision, but Chesky was also praised for his handling of the layoffs: employees were given generous severance packages and Chesky offered to help find them jobs elsewhere.</h3><img src="https://static5.businessinsider.com/image/5fb3dbee165ecf320e6728d5-400-300/airbnb-laid-off-1900-employees-about-25-of-its-full-time-staff-and-hundreds-of-contractors-the-move-was-met-with-frustration-from-employees-who-said-they-felt-betrayed-by-the-decision-but-chesky-was-also-praised-for-his-handling-of-the-layoffs-employees-were-given-generous-severance-packages-and-chesky-offered-to-help-find-them-jobs-elsewhere.jpg" alt="" /><p><p><em>Source: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/airbnb-under-scrutiny-for-laying-off-1900-employees-2020-7">Business Insider</a>, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/airbnb-layoffs-generous-severance-package-2020-5">Business Insider</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/bchesky/status/1257915103615172608">Brian Chesky/Twitter</a></em></p></p><br/><br/><h3>Over the past few months, things have started to turn around for Airbnb as people have begun to rethink how they travel. Though the pandemic decimated Airbnb's business in the first several months of the year, the company is forging ahead with its IPO.</h3><img src="https://static1.businessinsider.com/image/5fb3e168d980a12f8c2c6e4a-400-300/over-the-past-few-months-things-have-started-to-turn-around-for-airbnb-as-people-have-begun-to-rethink-how-they-travel-though-the-pandemic-decimated-airbnbs-business-in-the-first-several-months-of-the-year-the-company-is-forging-ahead-with-its-ipo.jpg" alt="" /><p><p><em>Source: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/airbnb-ceo-brian-chesky-predicts-future-of-travel-digital-nomad-2020-5'r=ts-sub">Business Insider</a>, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/airbnb-files-s1-public-ipo-paperwork-revenue-losses-covid-19-2020-11">Business Insider</a></em></p></p><br/><br/><h3>Airbnb plans to list on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbol "ABNB." The company said in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission that it's seeking to raise $2.6 billion in its IPO, slated for later this month, giving it a valuation of up to $35 billion.</h3><img src="https://static3.businessinsider.com/image/5fc64bc0037cbd00186130d1-400-300/airbnb-plans-to-list-on-the-nasdaq-under-the-ticker-symbol-abnb-the-company-said-in-a-filing-with-the-securities-and-exchange-commission-that-its-seeking-to-raise-26-billion-in-its-ipo-slated-for-later-this-month-giving-it-a-valuation-of-up-to-35-billion.jpg" alt="" /><p><p><em>Source: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/airbnb-ipo-billion-35-valuation-mid-december-filing-2020-12">Business Insider</a></em></p></p><br/><br/>
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