Ooléle Recap

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Person · JG

Designer and entrepreneur

Joe Gebbia

Co-founder of Airbnb

Joe Gebbia is a designer, entrepreneur and co-founder of Airbnb. A graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design in graphic and industrial design, he welcomed the first AirBed & Breakfast guests with Brian Chesky in 2007. His founding work explored how design, information and reputation could reduce fear between strangers.1,2

01 · The profile

Background & perspective

Before Airbnb, Joe Gebbia developed objects and other design projects. When San Francisco hotels filled up for a conference, he and Brian Chesky offered air mattresses in their apartment. That experiment became the starting point for a service built around hospitality between individuals.1,2

During Airbnb’s early years, he joined fieldwork with hosts, photographed listings and helped shape trust signals. His talks describe how profile detail, reviews and the presentation of an experience can change a person’s willingness to welcome someone they do not know.3,2

02 · Verified landmarks

The journey in a few dates

A selective timeline established from identified sources.

2007

Hosts the first guests

Creates an apartment-hosting experiment in San Francisco with Brian Chesky.2

2008

Co-founds Airbnb

Builds Airbnb with Brian Chesky and Nathan Blecharczyk.2

2016

Explains trust by design

Presents Airbnb’s design choices for hospitality between strangers at TED.3

03 · Ooléle

Read next

1 recap
THE REAL PRODUCT WAS TRUST

Ooléle Special · Company #01

AIRBNB TRUST IS THE PRODUCT

Fifteen sources, 10 hours 28 minutes analyzed, and 52 lessons on design, safety, culture, cities, and accountability.

Open recap

04 · Transparency

Profile sources

  1. 01Joe GebbiaAirbnb Newsroom
  2. 02About usAirbnb Newsroom
  3. 03How Airbnb designs for trustTED