Which two cereal brands did Airbnb founders sell to help fund the startup in 2008?

Airbnb founders Brian Chesky and Joe Gebbia sold Obama O's and Cap'n McCain's cereal boxes to help fund the startup in 2008.

The limited-edition cereal was created during the 2008 United States presidential election. Obama O's honored Barack Obama, while Cap'n McCain's honored John McCain. The boxes were designed as collectible campaign-themed products rather than ordinary breakfast cereal.

This stunt helped the founders raise about $30,000 while Airbnb was still struggling to attract investment. It also demonstrated an early example of resourceful, unconventional startup fundraising.

The cereal story is often simplified as Airbnb selling “breakfast cereal,” but the important detail is that the products were specially branded and sold in limited quantities. Airbnb later became a global accommodation marketplace, making the cereal campaign a frequently cited part of its origin story.