Why I like AirBnB? #StartupsILove
This 8-year old startup is now worth more than some 50+ year old hotel chains — without owning a single bed, room, or building.
Startups I love…
There’s so much greatness happening in the start-up space that — to sum it up becomes really really difficult, so I thought of writing this series of ‘Startups I Love…’, where I’ll be talking about a few startups that are making a difference and are changing the way we live, everyday.
Thought of starting up with this gig — AirBnB, which I personally think is an amazing platform for globetrotters. I got hold of this platform couple of years ago and I’m still to explore it for myself, though i have some amazing wishlists made.
The first time I saw AirBnB, it took me back to the 2006 rom-com flick — The Holiday. Part of the movie, however is based on the concept of swapping homes, AirBnB is more of renting appartments. And that was enough for me to hook onto this platform. ☺
From tree-houses in England to the house-boats in Amsterdam to the picturesque Light-house in Australia, AirBnB has many many popular places listed. Oh yes, not to forget the glamour camping vacations… they all make you take that single trip you’ve been waiting for!
Their Strategy:
This is how their first website looked in the year 2007. Very much 2007ish but that was just the start, wasn’t it?
And ever since — what’s been the most important aspect in AirBnB’s growth is its Growth Hacking Strategy and how they embodied it so meticulously. From the time they launched themselves at SXSW to the VC funding that they got, they were scaling newer heights at every stage. Here’s a brilliant Infographic Anna Vital made on them,
The India Story
What fascinates me even more is their recent entry in the Indian market and the way they’ve captured the Indian minds with some amazing stories on their YouTube Channel
Want know how is it to work for AirBnB?
In 2013, Colleen Taylor from TechCrunch visited Airbnb’s HQ in Downtown San Francisco for TC Cribs and took a tour there with their Co-Founders. Here’s the quick tour:
Also, check this video on the idea itself and how no one believed at that point that it would really work.
I am also liking what they’re doing on Snapchat lately with those listings — the way they are playing with the places / listings is just amazing.
Way to go, AIRBNB.
