Airbnb once tried to give away 10 % of the company for $ 150,000 , and not one investor would take up the offer . Airbnb, for the record, is currently valued at more than $20 billion. Brian Chesky , co - founder and CEO of Airbnb , took to Medium yesterday to post some responses he received from potential investors way back in 2010 , just as the company was setting out . Following interviews with seven “ prominent people in Silicon Valley , ” only five responded — and each turned the investment opportunity down .
Airbnb once tried to give away 10 % of the company for $ 150,000 , and not one investor would take up the offer . Brian Chesky , co - founder and CEO of Airbnb , took to Medium yesterday to post some responses he received from potential investors way back in 2010 , just as the company was setting out . Following interviews with seven “ prominent people in Silicon Valley , ” only five responded — and each turned the investment opportunity down .