How Airbnb Became a $30 Billion Success! - A Case Study for Entrepreneurs

In Case Study #19 Tom Ellsworth, The Biz Doc, takes a look at Airbnb an online community marketplace for people to list, discover, and book accommodations around the world.
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Airbnb rocketed to a $1B valuation in 2 years after graduating the Y-Combinator incubator and now boasts a $30B valuation (Q1 2017) after raising over $4B.
This success story includes two very interesting and important lessons:
- Get Connected to customers or users early and effectively (don't guess or rely on research reports).
- Find Mentors Early. Bring in advisors that know the space or have functional expertise. (And definitely consider applying to an incubator.)
Book recommendation: Zero to One amzn.to/2neuRKk
Grab your notebook, take notes and join the conversation as Valuetainment brings you case studies with The Biz Doc.
Please subscribe to Valuetainment, comment and share to help educate entrepreneurs from all over the world.
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About Tom Ellsworth: THOMAS N. ELLSWORTH, is an experienced CEO / COO and entrepreneur. He has been disrupting industries and driving consumer shifts through Venture-backed companies in technology, software, publishing and mobile that have generated exits totaling over $1B. Watch the interview with Patrick Bet-David: • The Man Who Sold 4 Com...
Connect with Tom: / thomasellsworth
About airbnb: Airbnb is an online marketplace and hospitality service, enabling people to lease or rent short-term lodging including vacation rentals, apartment rentals, homestays, hostel beds, or hotel rooms.
Valuetainment- The Best Channel for Entrepreneurs

[@gibransaliba8801]

Moral of the story: try to find a way to get as much feedback as possible. Feedback makes you build a better product and operation which which lead to better sales

[@VALUETAINMENT]

Yep! Thanks, Tom

[@jamesmcginn6291]

Excellent, as always. One point you didn't mention. Paul Graham told them to not worry about growing to a million. Worry about making your first 100 customer extremely happy. This was the insight that made the difference.

[@gibransaliba8801]

And make sure to have a mentor. Mentors are way more valuable than all the PhDs in the business and economics

[@pecenak21]

How does this series keep getting better? I am addicted!

[@VALUETAINMENT]

Research, research, research. Thanks, Tom

[@shaumiksaha]

"Random event success is not a path to sustainable success." 🏆

[@VALUETAINMENT]

You got it! Thanks, Tom

[@divyashah4423]

Hey Tom, please do a case study on Whatsapp. 55 Engineers, 19 Billion Dollars and no marketing. That sounds like a great story.

[@VALUETAINMENT]

I like that idea. Thanks, Tom

[@mrindia1]

Who dislikes this stuff? Unbiased, all facts and very motivational!! Thanks for the quality research! 🙏🏾

[@caguilar2012]

This has by far, become my favorite youtube channel lately!!

[@ronysaha3966]

simple. I see a case study video. I like .

[@VALUETAINMENT]

I Research, I Write, I Talk - Thanks, Tom

[@Mr_Blacksmith]

I watch. I learn. I apply. Thanks guys

[@jakin4924]

Hi Valuetainment, I think Case Study is one of the best series in valuetainment. I haven't seen case study episodes since September and I reeeally miss it. Please bring it back!!

[@christiankirbyapostol9704]

i likee how you cover the story into fragments and narrated the most important lessons of the airbnb journey, kudos to you.-

[@NachoTV]

This is a perfect example of how an 💡idea takes a lot of work to actually happen and the passion to make it work.

[@andrek.1399]

The best business presentation I ever seen in my life. Thank you

[@TheGrinningSkull]

Thanks Tom! I've been hearing a lot of mentions about "0 to 1" from different sources so I'll be prioritising that for my "to get next" list!

[@VALUETAINMENT]

Buy it and read it! Thanks, Tom

[@mitchell.9632]

Having mentors is important. Tom you are really getting into the graphics with the word of the day.

[@VALUETAINMENT]

Thanks go to Paul. Thanks, Tom

[@bouchraoukkache1251]

Thank you so much for providing this information. It helps me grow my business

[@jamespenas4123]

Great video! Interesting to hear about the outcomes from each stage of the series funding.

[@aneeshussein]

You come with good stuff every week. Amazing story Airbnb. Thank you.

[@VALUETAINMENT]

Thanks, Tom

[@nikagigashvili]

Great ! Really one of the best channels. Was waiting for Airbnb case, am building the similar business model for a different market. Nice short coverage of their story

[@VALUETAINMENT]

Thanks, Tom

[@Opethefoodie]

thank you for airbnb case study. it was really helpful.

[@BashirTVRadio]

I am addicted to this channel.

[@birdbrain6946]

Your videos are very valuable! I love it, keep them coming!

[@VALUETAINMENT]

Will do! Thanks, Tom

[@AlexeyPostnoff]

Thanks Tom, very insightful!

[@mitcaru9272]

AirBnB,....What an inspiration and so much to learn from & the only video with sooo many billions spoken ! : P

[@gibransaliba8801]

I will pitch my idea to an incubator. Just what I needed.

[@20Youand]

Thank you Tom God bless you and the team at VALUETAINMENT Regards Adnan Dad

[@syedsalmanali4827]

Bravo! Tom! You like a drug to us always waiting new Case Study to improve our games! Thanks a million!

[@VALUETAINMENT]

Glad to do it! Thanks, Tom

[@monsiid7421]

Thank you for you productive video. This is very helpful information.

[@AhmedYanaal]

I don’t know why KZbin recommended me this. But I sure am glad that it did.

[@mundosadventure532]

Thanks for the info going to check out zero to one.

[@110gotrek]

I like the very very early development of a start-up :)

[@IndianMysticals]

Can you please do a case study on OYO rooms ?

[@zaza7043]

Super tom you'are amazing , thanks you , you hear your follower too , because i wrote a comment to ask you for this case study and you did it ( not only for me , of curse , for all the followoers who were asking ) , BRAVO ++++

[@VALUETAINMENT]

Thanks, Tom

[@baldeepbirak]

Great video Tom. Useful tips to pick up.

[@nobad6134]

These exponential growth case studies are crazy. You can get a revolutionary start up in just 5 years. It’s worth a gamble to invest your all for a few years into a start up if it’s a great idea.

[@sallyleehealth5733]

I love these videos! keep up the great work tom!

[@VALUETAINMENT]

Will do! Thanks, Tom

[@jckm3869]

Starting to love case studies.

[@sanjitmisra6753]

Hey Patrick, what are your views on Airbnb being a major threat to the hospitality industry? I believe that the hospitality industry is going to need stronger and more aggressive managerial forces for its mere sustainability if ventures on the lines of Airbnb keep hiking up.

[@bestyouprointernational]

The Notification Squad is on point!! #Valuetainment

[@SleepingElephant]

Inspiring. Probably read more books about AirBnB.

[@CamiloGomezDev]

I love this channel so much. Awesome video!

[@VALUETAINMENT]

Thanks, Tom

[@beemer84]

Brilliant tom and keep em coming

[@adive5590]

You da man Tom, thanks and keep it up!

[@VALUETAINMENT]

Thanks, Tom

[@theyruinedyoutubeagain]

Whenever I travel somewhere and accommodation is not arranged, I use AirBnb. Never got let down once.

[@Shystichu]

Awesome, you guys did my suggestion!

[@anthonycorona7554]

Sweet! Do you use airbnb?

[@VALUETAINMENT]

Glad to do it! Thanks, Tom

[@luismarin7363]

Would you please do a case study for their current situation.

[@WaqarDepp]

Oh..this is gonna be awesome...!

[@phtizen4]

Love these case studies! Could you do it twice per week? :P

[@ishrarg]

I really appreciate your hard work to make such wonderful video. You are comparatively doing really good. But a small suggestion is that, please try to use language (English only) that can be understood by everyone. I couln't understand couple of things. But it was worth watching full video. Thanks again.

[@originalpilot]

Hi Tom, Could you do a case study on Apple please ?

[@pritalbamnodkar2620]

how about a case study on Lamborghini?

[@WaqarDepp]

Prital Bamnodkar That would be cool, but you know what I like more than materialistic things....? ;)

[@pritalbamnodkar2620]

a great back and forth story?Lamborghini has that maybe

[@WaqarDepp]

Prital Bamnodkar Indeed. That would be interesting. I actually made a Tai Lopez joke, lol, don't know if you know him...

[@dafonter]

Ricardo desejote boa voagem com muita. Saude

[@joelow63]

Prital Bamnodkar that eod take forever beace it was sold like 20 times

[@BroVinTV]

hey Tom, good day! could you kindly do a case study on black berry pls, thank you

[@ibsenalamo4471]

always support and back up your money makers.. when u get big make sure u have power players lawyers and connection in Gov . never forget the basics. and KEEp Watching VALUETAIMENT

[@VALUETAINMENT]

There you go!! Thanks, Tom

[@ediethesalsafreak]

Excellent Tom.

[@VALUETAINMENT]

Thanks, Tom

[@piercemooney8978]

Lmao 8:30 I love these 20 seconds the most. Tom is the man!!!

[@ibarramanuel66]

great job !!! great information! !

[@ameenomar__]

Hi Tom, What I'd like to know is why they kept raising money if they were profitable. Surely if they are a tech platform they have fairly low overheads? What's all this money needed for?

[@VALUETAINMENT]

+Seera Masters Global expansion. You can be profitable on a per item basis but that's not going to generate the number of dollars you need to expand globally. So, you raise more money. Thanks Tom

[@jon-unicorn-doxxer]

because their not in public yet so they raise money using venture capitals etc?

[@absolute-0473]

the real estate business has boomed so much here in the Philippines since airbnb comes in.

[@johnroy6504]

Amazing Tom!!!

[@me91b]

Great Video as always, pure gold. My suggestion is to do a case study on TripAdvisor :)

[@VALUETAINMENT]

Interesting topic! Thanks, Tom

[@tatumscott6170]

Not Barry Manilow catching a stray bullet like that 😂

[@cdb5662]

Amazing!

[@jeanmelanson4896]

Thanks homie

[@chiautorepair]

DAMMM another great one Tom! How about one on Autozone? They came out of nowhere and now they have a very high value!

[@VALUETAINMENT]

+Chi Wong - Great suggestion in a very tight niche of the do it yourself car care sector. Thanks, Tom

[@godwinprojectmanagement]

Thanks!

[@singhmaster4]

You always have a great presentation and great content. Good job and keep it up. I have always been passionate about business and marketing as a kid, now I'm 34 and own a business. I admire great businessmen who are rich yet humble. Is there a chance in hell that I will be able to bump into you or Pat sometimes? It's probably far fetched, but i figured it won't kill me to ask. LOL!

[@StormiitheStormiiric]

great content!

[@salmonella1726]

another great video,proud to be a student of valuetainment.i hope one day I can contribute. see you at the top fam!

[@VALUETAINMENT]

Indeeeeeed! Thanks, Tom

[@bosshogg690]

Do a Video on CL8 a ASX listed company, that is gaining traction fast

[@gibransaliba8801]

Tom an Patrick. You two are beautiful people inside and out. (No homo) Thanks for this necessary education

[@whiztek9884]

As always gr8 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@urgirlcassie23]

Do a case study on Westinghouse (especially the early/Tesla days).

[@VALUETAINMENT]

Hmmm let me research that one. Thanks, Tom

[@shevrd9978]

shaking up an industry

[@andrejohnson1488]

Very informative indeed.

[@Xtraderr]

Great work guys!

[@VALUETAINMENT]

Thanks, Tom

[@jsolis7]

What's with the Formula 1 shirts Tom?! Guess you're a fan...

[@markj2002]

Tom could you look into doing a case study on the payments company, Stripe?

[@VALUETAINMENT]

+Mark J that is an interesting choice, let me think about it. Thanks, Tom

[@gumerzambrano]

is this from The Airbnb Story ?

[@kimfootball]

Great video!!!

[@VALUETAINMENT]

Thanks, Tom

[@teeneditor3743]

Love to the squad

[@mpumelelolindanimchunu746]

nice Idea nd execution

[@mohammedshibin1893]

From where do you get this much details

[@biglo8757]

BIZ DOC!! GREAT STUDY ..HOW ABOUT KZbin. THEY ARE DESERVING DON'T YOU THINK?ANY WAY, LOVE THE EPISODES !!

[@VALUETAINMENT]

They sold too early for too little. ;) Thanks, Tom

[@joelow63]

be early to get a mrntor or find a plave such as the incubator to start

[@TheMSBNA]

Hey Pat, hey Biz Doc. Please do a case study on BMW please. The brand is kinda like a so called 'symbol of success and luxury' vehicle here in Asia.

[@VALUETAINMENT]

+TheMSBNA BMW would be cool! Thanks! Tom

[@srineeshsalur524]

#NOTIFICATION #squad One day mr.Tom would do a case study on my company.

[@danbucur7502]

Fucking hell, these case studies are so good. Also, I was wondering ... could you also make case studies on young companies that may have huge potential growth in the future? I think this would also be of great utility for some us viewers and, probably, would attract new people to this channel too. Anyway, you guys are the best!

[@VALUETAINMENT]

Thank you sir! Tom

[@MrVishyG]

How did they find new homes in cities that they did not live in? (Denver, DC, New York, etc)

[@sompongmoss3008]

what their stock symbol?

[@marcussamuel8009]

Nice god bless you!!

[@rafaygardezi724]

Do one on the success of Warren Buffet

[@VALUETAINMENT]

+Rafusa Productions my hero Thanks Tom

[@theyruinedyoutubeagain]

I don't think Fred was wrong, I took it more like "it's insanely fucking hard and oh you also need a metric ton of luck", but the mad boyes succeeded despite the odds (and thanks to the Y Combinator mentorship and network).

[@obakengmojela9713]

DAMN!! Gets me every time lmao

[@Nahhmah]

How can I find a Y incubator in NJ/NY?

[@VALUETAINMENT]

+Will Chu Here is a list: m.builtinnyc.com/2016/06/03/accelerators-incubators-nyc

[@HiFisch94]

pre notification 😍

[@myaparker]

great video

[@sas10x39]

how about a case study on homedepot?

[@companybroadcast2890]

Build Something 100 People Love, Not Something 1 Million People Kind Of Like

[@sahilsahni5246]

Please help me finding mentor. I'm from india and i have some ideas that needs to be executed. Please help. and i have read zero to one.