How Airbnb's Co-Founder Built a $100 Billion Company on Trust

How Airbnb's Co-Founder Built a $100 Billion Company on Trust

Author

Founders Blueprint
February 18, 2025

In 2007, Brian Chesky and Joe Gebbia faced a problem: they couldn't afford their San Francisco apartment rent. To solve this, they decided to rent out air mattresses in their living room to attendees of a design conference—a simple idea that laid the foundation for Airbnb.

From air mattresses to a global platform – The first version of Airbnb in 2007.

However, transforming this concept into a global platform required more than just extra space; it demanded designing for trust.

The Trust Challenge

Trust is the foundation of the sharing economy – Secure payments, reviews, and verification make Airbnb possible.

Convincing strangers to share their homes or stay with unknown hosts was a significant hurdle. Chesky realized that for Airbnb to succeed, they had to create an environment where users felt safe and trusted each other.

Designing for Trust

Chesky and his team implemented several key strategies:

  • Verified Profiles – Ensuring users provide authentic information to build credibility.

  • Reviews and Ratings – Allowing both hosts and guests to leave feedback, fostering accountability.

  • Secure Payment Systems – Handling transactions through the platform to protect both parties.

  • 24/7 Customer Support – Offering assistance to resolve issues promptly.

These measures transformed Airbnb into a community built on trust, enabling it to scale rapidly.

The Result

From one apartment to millions of homes worldwide – Airbnb’s global impact in action.

Today, Airbnb boasts over 4 million hosts and has served more than 1 billion guests worldwide. Chesky’s emphasis on trust didn’t just create a successful company; it revolutionized the entire sharing economy.

As Chesky puts it:

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"Designing for trust is the single most important thing we can do to create a 21st-century company."