Which three founders launched Airbnb in 2008?

Brian Chesky, Joe Gebbia and Nathan Blecharczyk launched Airbnb in 2008.

Chesky and Gebbia were roommates in San Francisco when a design conference caused local hotels to fill up. They rented out air mattresses in their apartment, inspiring the original name “AirBed and Breakfast.” Blecharczyk, a programmer and friend of Gebbia, joined the venture as its technical co-founder.

The company’s first website was created in 2008, and the founders initially struggled to attract both hosts and guests. A later breakthrough came after the founders improved listing photography and received support from Y Combinator in 2009.

Airbnb’s business model connected people offering accommodation with travelers seeking alternatives to hotels. The company changed its name to Airbnb in 2009, reflecting its expansion beyond air mattresses and shared rooms.