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'{{short description|American businessman}} {{Advert|date=January 2022}} {{Infobox person | name = Joe Gebbia | image = Joe-gebbia-airbnb-miller-mobley (cropped).jpg | image_size = | caption = Joe Gebbia in 2021 | birth_name = Joseph Gebbia Jr. | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1981|08|21}} | birth_place = [[Atlanta, Georgia]], U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | occupation = Designer, entrepreneur | known_for = Co-founder of [[Airbnb]] | term = | predecessor = | successor = | boards = [[Rhode Island School of Design]], [[Airbnb]], [[United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees]], Samara | children = | education = [[Rhode Island School of Design]] | spouse = | website = {{url|https://joegebbia.com/ |Personal site}} }} '''Joseph Gebbia Jr.''' (born August 21, 1981) is an American [[billionaire]] designer and Internet entrepreneur. He is a co-founder of [[Airbnb]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=Joe Gebbia|url=https://news.airbnb.com/about-us/leadership/joe-gebbia/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-12-10|website=[[Airbnb]]}}</ref> and is chairman of Samara, Airbnb's design studio, and of Airbnb.org, the company's non-profit foundation.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-08-24|title=Airbnb has announced that they will provide 20,000 Afghan refugees free temporary housing globally|url=https://www.masslive.com/news/2021/08/willing-to-host-a-refugee-family-reach-out-airbnb-announced-they-will-provide-20000-afghan-refugees-free-temporary-housing-globally.html|access-date=2021-11-10|website=masslive|language=en}}</ref> As of October 2021, his net worth was estimated at US$11.4 billion.<ref name="Forbes profile">{{cite web|title=Forbes profile: Joe Gebbia |url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/joe-gebbia/ |website=Forbes |accessdate=24 October 2021}}</ref> ==Early life== Joe Gebbia was born August 21, 1981, in Atlanta, Georgia,<ref name="forbesmarch2">{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbespr/2015/03/02/forbes-29th-annual-worlds-billionaires-issue/|title=Forbes' 29th Annual World's Billionaires Issue|author=Forbes Corporate Communications|date=2 March 2015|work=Forbes}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2014/10/06/brian-chesky-and-joe-gebbia.html|title=Brian Chesky and Joe Gebbia|last=|first=|date=2014-10-06|website=CNBC|access-date=2016-05-07}}</ref> the son of Eileen and Joe Gebbia.<ref name=AboutJoe>[http://joegebbiaworks.com/about-joe/ Joe Gebbia - Brookhaven City Councilman] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170217140952/http://joegebbiaworks.com/about-joe/ |date=2017-02-17 }} retrieved May 8, 2016</ref> He grew up in [[Lawrenceville, Georgia]] and has one sister, Kimberly.<ref name=AboutJoe /> He pursued sports, music, and art throughout childhood, and worked several jobs including as a ball boy for the [[Atlanta Hawks]].<ref name = bizjournals>{{cite web | url = https://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/2020/07/03/airbnb-co-founder-credits-atlanta-for-success.html | publisher = Atlanta Business Chronicle | title = The Journey Started Here| accessdate = 1 January 2022}}</ref> ===Education=== Gebbia attended [[Brookwood High School (Snellville, Georgia)|Brookwood High School]] in [[Snellville, Georgia|Snellville]], [[Gwinnett County, Georgia|Gwinnett County]], [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]]. He graduated in 2005 from the [[Rhode Island School of Design]] (RISD) in [[Providence, Rhode Island]], where he received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Graphic Design and Industrial Design.<ref name="airbnbfounders">{{cite web|url=https://www.airbnb.co.uk/about/founders|title=Founders - Airbnb|work=airbnb.co.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.risd.edu/About/News/Gebbia_Thinks_Big/|title=Gebbia Thinks Big|website=RISD|access-date=2016-05-07|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170130040103/https://www.airbnb.co.uk/about/founders|archivedate=2017-01-30}}</ref> It was at RISD that he met [[Brian Chesky]], who would later become his roommate and co-founder of Airbnb. While studying in the Northeast, Gebbia complemented his creative pursuits and studies at RISD with business coursework at [[Brown University]] and [[Massachusetts Institute of Technology]] (MIT).<ref>{{Cite web|title = RISD|url = http://www.risd.edu/About/News/Gebbia_Thinks_Big/|website = www.risd.edu|access-date = 2016-02-11|url-status = dead|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20170130040103/https://www.airbnb.co.uk/about/founders|archivedate = 2017-01-30}}</ref> ==Career== After graduating from RISD, Gebbia moved to San Francisco.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.risd.edu/About/News/Gebbia_Thinks_Big/ |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2016-05-07 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170130040103/https://www.airbnb.co.uk/about/founders |archivedate=2017-01-30 }}</ref> He convinced his friend and future cofounder, [[Brian Chesky]], to join him in San Francisco to start a company together in 2007.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Joe Gebbia|url = http://www.fastcompany.com/person/joe-gebbia|website = Fast Company|access-date = 2016-02-11|language = en-US}}</ref> Both quit their jobs to start something together and that very same week, their landlord raised rent by 20%, rendering them unable to afford the apartment.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title = Starred: The Email That Launched Airbnb|url = http://www.fastcompany.com/1792024/starred-email-launched-airbnb|website = Fast Company|access-date = 2016-02-11|language = en-US}}</ref> They knew the Industrial Design Society of America conference was coming to San Francisco and many hotels were already fully booked.<ref>{{Cite web|title = AirBed & Breakfast for Connecting '07|url = http://www.core77.com/posts/7715/airbed-breakfast-for-connecting-07-7715|website = Core77|access-date = 2016-02-11}}</ref> Gebbia believed they could rent out airbeds in their apartment to conference goers. They marketed this idea by creating a website called "AirBed & Breakfast” and emailed a few top design blogs to garner more interest. They received three bookings and were able to pay their rent to stay in the apartment.<ref name=":0" /> In 2008, another of Gebbia's roommates, Harvard graduate and technical architect [[Nathan Blecharczyk]], became the third co-founder.<ref name=“Bloomberg”/> While struggling to find initial angel investors for Airbnb, Chesky and Gebbia came up with a [[Hail Mary pass | Hail Mary]] idea to put the “breakfast” in what they were calling AirBed and Breakfast. They created two Airbnb-branded cereals, Obama O’s and Cap’n McCain’s, to sell online during the height of the 2008 election fever.<ref name = techcrunch>{{cite web | url = https://techcrunch.com/2008/10/09/whats-for-breakfast-at-your-house-obama-os-or-capn-mccains/ | publisher = TechCrunch | title = What's For Breakfast At Your House: Obama O's or Cap'n McCain's?| accessdate = 1 January 2022}}</ref> They found a small manufacturer in Berkeley who agreed to fabricate 1,000 cartons in exchange for a cut of the royalties. The team bought generic [[Cheerios]] and [[Chex]], transplanted the cereal into their own boxes, and hot-glued the tops. The boxes, which cost $40 each, received national coverage from [[CNN]] and Good Morning America; Katy Perry auctioned off an autographed box to her fans.<ref name = cnn>{{cite web | url = https://money.cnn.com/galleries/2010/smallbusiness/1003/gallery.startup_cash_now/ | publisher = CNN | title = Where to get startup cash now| accessdate = 1 January 2022}}</ref><ref name = fastcompany/> The promotion netted Airbnb $30,000, enough to keep the company afloat until Paul Graham and [[Y Combinator]] decided to invest.<ref name = fastcompany>{{Cite web|title = 19_Airbnb|url = http://www.fastcompany.com/3017358/most-innovative-companies-2012/19airbnb|website = Fast Company|access-date = 2016-02-11|language = en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title = Brian Chesky: The homeless entrepreneur|url = http://mg.co.za/article/2013-03-12-brian-chesky-the-homeless-entrepreneur|website = The M&G Online|access-date = 2016-02-11|first = Alistair|last = Fairweather}}</ref> Gebbia’s design instincts were essential to helping early Airbnb hosts accurately present their listings.<ref name = forbes2>{{cite web | url = https://www.forbes.com/sites/miguelhelft/2016/02/16/how-airbnb-used-design-to-break-through-its-biggest-challenge/?sh=45dbddaa6875 | publisher = Forbes | title = How Airbnb Used Design To Break Through Its Biggest Challenge| accessdate = 1 January 2022}}</ref> Early on, Airbnb was not getting much traction in New York.<ref name = hospitalityreview>{{cite web |url = https://www.bu.edu/bhr/2016/01/08/the-making-of-airbnb/ | publisher = Boston University Hospitality Review | title = The Making of Airbnb| accessdate = 1 January 2022}}</ref> So, the team flew out and booked rooms with two-dozen hosts to learn why.<ref name = hospitalityreview/> They learned users were taking low-quality photos that didn’t represent their space, so they rented a $5,000 camera and snapped high-resolution photos of as many New York host apartments as they could. Bookings soared.<ref name = hospitalityreview/> In March 2009, the name of the company was shortened to Airbnb.com, and the site's content had expanded from air beds and shared spaces to a variety of properties including entire homes and apartments, private rooms, and other properties.<ref name = globe>{{cite web | url = https://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/travel/2015/10/31/where-did-airbnb-get-its-name/Q548q7zU2ilIRvMcJIlsXP/story.html | publisher = The Boston Globe | title = Where Did Airbnb Get Its Name?| accessdate = 1 January 2022}}</ref> In May 2017, Gebbia launched a modular office furniture business called Neighborhood. The furniture was created for [[Bernhardt Design]], a furniture company that has worked with emerging designers.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.fastcodesign.com/90126283/this-airbnb-co-founders-next-project-furniture-design|title=Airbnb Cofounder Joe Gebbia's Next Project? Furniture Design|date=2017-05-22|work=Co.Design|access-date=2017-05-23|language=en-US}}</ref> On December 10, 2020, Airbnb became a public company via an [[initial public offering]], raising $3.5 billion.<ref name = npr>{{cite web | url = https://www.npr.org/2020/12/10/944931270/airbnb-defying-pandemic-fears-takes-its-company-public-in-ipo | publisher = National Public Radio | title = Airbnb Now A $100 Billion Company After Stock Market Debut Sees Stock Price Double| accessdate = 1 January 2022}}</ref> As of November 2021, Gebbia’s net worth was estimated at US$11.4 billion.<ref name = forbesnet>{{cite web | url = https://www.forbes.com/profile/joe-gebbia/?sh=762fb6b9972f | publisher = Forbes | title = #66 Joe Gebbia| accessdate = 1 January 2022}}</ref> He holds board and advisor roles as a member of the board of directors at [[Airbnb]],<ref>{{Cite web|last=Wolverton|first=Troy|title=Airbnb is facing an unprecedented threat from the coronavirus. Here are the veteran execs on Airbnb's board of directors who will be critical to CEO Brian Chesky's success or failure.|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/org-chart-airbnb-board-of-directors-expertise-in-crisis-2020-4|access-date=2020-07-20|website=Business Insider}}</ref> a member of the board of trustees at [[Rhode Island School of Design]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=Leadership {{!}} About {{!}} RISD|url=https://www.risd.edu/about/leadership/|access-date=2020-07-20|website=www.risd.edu|language=en}}</ref> and an investor at Nebia.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Chin|first=Tyler|date=2020-01-22|title=What If Apple Made a Shower Head? It'd Probably Look Like This|url=http://gearpatrol.com/home/a679917/nebia-by-moen-shower-head/|access-date=2020-07-20|website=Gear Patrol|language=en-US}}</ref> Gebbia is a Mr. Porter Style Council member.<ref name = vogue>{{cite web |url = https://www.vogue.com/slideshow/mr-porter-style-council-dinner-2021 | publisher = Vogue | title = Mr Porter’s Style Council Hosts a Cozy Soirée in Honor of its Newest Member | accessdate = 1 January 2022}}</ref> He has spoken about his passions for entrepreneurship and impact at the [[Clinton Foundation|Clinton Global Initiative]].<ref name = clinton>{{cite web | url = https://stories.clintonfoundation.org/partnering-for-girls-women-and-the-global-goals-9963f2b6a331 | publisher = Clinton Foundation | title =Partnering for Girls, Women, and the Global Goals | accessdate = 1 January 2022}}</ref> ===Design=== Gebbia has had a longstanding passion for aesthetic and design. He credits his childhood and parents for supporting his well-rounded childhood pursuing art, athletics, and music.<ref name = artsy/> Gebbia was known as the “art guy” in grade school when he started his first business selling illustrations of [[Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles]] to his classmates.<ref name = artsy>{{cite web | url = https://www.artsy.net/article/artsy-editorial-airbnbs-joe-gebbia-art-school-prepared-entrepreneur | publisher = Artsy | title = Airbnb’s Joe Gebbia on How Art School Prepared Him to Be an Entrepreneur| accessdate = 1 January 2022}}</ref><ref name = bizjournals2>{{cite web | url = https://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/2020/12/07/airbnb-joe-gebbia-billionaire-public-offering.html | publisher = Atlanta Business Chronicle | title = Atlanta native will become billionaire as Airbnb goes public| accessdate = 1 January 2022}}</ref> While in high school, he pursued classes including ceramics, photography, and [[Metalsmith | jewelry metal smithing]], while taking classes in figure drawing and painting at the [[Atlanta College of Art]] on weekends.<ref name = risdalumni>{{cite web | url = https://issuu.com/risd/docs/risdxyz_fall2013 | publisher = Rhode Island School of Design Alumni magazine | title = Out of Bounds| accessdate = 1 January 2022}}</ref> During high school, he also gained acceptance to the Governor’s Honor’s Program, where he spent a summer taking college-level art courses.<ref name = atlantajournal>{{cite web | url = https://www.ajc.com/education/airbnb-co-founder-gives-gwinnett-high-school-alma-mater-more-than-700k/Q4NM4WQXQJCMTK7IV5FAMTCT2E/ | publisher = Atlanta Journal Constitution | title = Airbnb co-founder gives Gwinnett high school alma mater more than $700K| accessdate = 1 January 2022}}</ref> There, one of his professors encouraged him to go to RISD, and he spent the following summer taking college art courses on the campus.<ref name = atlantajournal/> In one of his first courses at RISD, Gebbia took a 3D foundations class with a semester-long project aiming to produce 12-inch scale works of a famous artist or designer.<ref name = artsy/> Gebbia decided he wanted to create life-size models so he could use them afterwards, but his professor dismissed the idea and told to stick to the achievable.<ref name = icon>{{cite web | url = https://www.iconeye.com/architecture/features/airbnb-s-joe-gebbia-it-was-the-beginning-of-designer-s-guilt-and-it-planted-a-pretty-deep-seed-in-me | publisher = ICON | title = Airbnb’s Joe Gebbia: ‘It was the beginning of designer’s guilt, and it planted a pretty deep seed in me’| accessdate = 1 January 2022}}</ref> Gebbia set out to prove his professor wrong and produced sixteen full-sized chairs for his final project. He refers to this anecdote as one of several examples that allowed him to transcend beliefs of what was possible and pushed him to redefine his own success. Around this time, Gebbia also became inspired by the work of [[Charles and Ray Eames]] and switched his studies from painting to industrial design.<ref name = financialtimes>{{cite web | url = https://www.ft.com/content/01f8d2ec-46a5-11e5-af2f-4d6e0e5eda22 | publisher = Financial Times | title = Design lessons from the Eames studio that can aid start-ups| accessdate = 1 January 2022}}</ref> He emphasizes the importance of his design background in preparing him for entrepreneurship. One of his first design-business ventures was CritBuns—soft, foamy cushions to keep art students’ pants clean during their hours-long critique sessions (dubbed “crits”). He developed the idea early at RISD and the design was selected as the senior gift for his graduating class of 800 students.<ref name = artsy/> Following graduation, CritBuns became a crash-course in entrepreneurship for Gebbia.<ref name = wired>{{cite web | url = https://www.wired.com/2007/03/critbuns-keepin/ | publisher = Wired magazine | title = Critbuns Keeping My Ass In Check| accessdate = 1 January 2022}}</ref> After two years of persistence and development of his sales pitch and story, [[I.D. (magazine) | I.D. Magazine]] included CritBuns for their Best of 2006 Issue which created awareness in other countries. [[Designboom]] accepted CritBuns into their giftmarts during ICFF, and [[Tokyo Designers Week | Tokyo Design Week]]. Gebbia got CritBuns on the shelves of the prestigious [[Museum of Modern Art|MoMA Design Store]].<ref name = wired/> CritBuns was also featured in the [[Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum |Cooper Hewitt Design Triennial]].<ref name = adobe/> Prior to Airbnb, Gebbia worked at [[Chronicle Books]] where he was the only industrial designer in a company of 200 people who had focused on graphic design for over 40 years.<ref name = hauteliving>{{cite web | url = https://hauteliving.com/2013/07/whats-on-my-desk-airbnb-founder-joe-gebbia/378519/ | publisher = Haute Living | title = What’s On My Desk: Airbnb Co-Founder Joe Gebbia| accessdate = 1 January 2022}}</ref> In that context, he learned to explain industrial design to others in a way that fits into their world view. He also founded ecolet, a green-design website.<ref name = adobe>{{cite web | url = https://99u.adobe.com/videos/19396/joe-gebbia-executing-your-idea-starts-with-a-small-single-step | publisher = Adobe | title = Joe Gebbia: Executing Your Idea Starts With a Small Single Step| accessdate = 1 January 2022}}</ref> His design instinct and focus also influenced the many successes of Airbnb, leading early on to Airbnb’s surge in bookings after Gebbia ideated offering free professional photography services from a community of over 2,000 freelancers.<ref name = businessinsider2>{{cite web | url = https://www.businessinsider.com/airbnb-joe-zadeh-photography-program-2012-6 | publisher = Business Insider | title = How A Caltech Ph.D. Turned Airbnb Into A Billion-Dollar Travel Magazine| accessdate = 1 January 2022}}</ref> In 2017, Gebbia also launched his own collection of [[Modular design | modular office furniture]], called Neighborhood, at the ICFF furniture fair as a part of New York City’s design week. He created the collection for [[Bernhardt Design]], a furniture company known for working with international and emerging designers.<ref name = codesign>{{Cite news|url=https://www.fastcodesign.com/90126283/this-airbnb-co-founders-next-project-furniture-design|title=Airbnb Cofounder Joe Gebbia's Next Project? Furniture Design|date=2017-05-22|work=Co.Design|access-date=2017-05-23|language=en-US}}</ref> The LEGO-like collection earned featured recognition in publications like Designboom, the first and most popular digital magazine for architecture and design culture, Quartz, [[Dezeen]], and Interior Design.<ref name = designboom>{{cite web | url = https://www.designboom.com/design/joe-gebbia-neighborhood-interview-bernhardt-icff-nycxdesign-airbnb-05-27-2017/ | publisher = Designboom | title = joe gebbia discusses his LEGO-like 'neighborhood' furniture for bernhardt design| accessdate = 1 January 2022}}</ref> He has spoken about design at IDSA MidEast Conference, TED, Wired, AIGA, [[Design Indaba | Design Indaba Conference]], Fortune Magazine’s Brainstorm Design, Digital Life Design, [[GigaOM | GigaOM RoadMap]], [[Business of Fashion | Business of Fashion VOICES]], and the 2021 Index Design Awards.<ref name = gigaom>{{cite web | url = https://gigaom.com/2013/11/06/6-valuable-lessons-for-entrepreneurs-designing-startups-from-airbnbs-joe-gebbia/ | publisher = GigaOM | title = 6 valuable lessons for entrepreneurs designing startups from Airbnb’s Joe Gebbia| accessdate = 1 January 2022}}</ref><ref name = inc>{{cite web | url = https://www.inc.com/joe-gebbia/how-airbnb-stayed-on-mission-during-tough-times.html | publisher = Inc. magazine | title = Joe Gebbia: How Airbnb Stayed on Mission During Tough Times| accessdate = 1 January 2022}}</ref> Gebbia also served as a jury member for the [[National Design Awards |White House Millennium Council's 2021 National Design Awards]] presented by Cooper Hewitt and the Smithsonian Design Museum.<ref name = interiordesign>{{cite web | url = https://interiordesign.net/designwire/cooper-hewitt-announces-2021-national-design-awards-winners/ | publisher = Interior Design magazine | title = Cooper Hewitt Announces 2021 National Design Awards Winners| accessdate = 1 January 2022}}</ref> He is a member of the Designer Founder Guild, a design and venture partner that invests in early stage startups in the design community.<ref name = designerfund>{{cite web | url = https://www.designerfund.com/blog/announcing-designer-founder-guild/ | publisher = Designer Fund | title = Designer Fund Announces Designer Founder Guild to Help Designers Build Companies| accessdate = 1 January 2022}}</ref> ===Social impact=== Gebbia has long-established a philanthropic tenure.<ref name = npr/> [[Refugee | Refugee relief]] and housing support are a distinct through-line of Gebbia’s reach.<ref name = npr/> In 2020, he and his team launched Airbnb.org, a non-profit that enables hosts on Airbnb to house people in times of crisis.<ref name = entrepreneur>{{cite web | url = https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/361278| publisher = Entrepreneur magazine | title = Airbnb Launches Nonprofit Organization to House People in Times of Crisis | accessdate = 1 January 2022}}</ref> Gebbia’s personal donation of $5 million helped kick off the fund’s efforts around refugees and asylum seekers. Airbnb.org has helped to shelter more than 75,000 people in 70 countries displaced by natural disasters, including during tsunamis in [[Japan]], earthquakes in Mexico and wildfires in Canada. Their hosts helped house frontline workers at the height of the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] and are providing temporary housing to 20,000 [[Afghan Americans | Afghan refugees in the United States]].<ref name = businessinsider>{{cite web | url = https://www.businessinsider.com/afghanistan-refugees-airbnb-kabul-20000-afghan-taliban-2021-8 | publisher = Business Insider | title = Airbnb says it will temporarily house 20,000 Afghan refugees| accessdate = 1 January 2022}}</ref> In December 2020, Gebbia, dedicated to using his wealth to give back to his community, also made a $25 million personal donation to benefit two San Francisco charities working to [[Homelessness in the San Francisco Bay Area|eradicate homelessness]], Rising Up - Larkin Street Youth Services and All Home. Both organizations aid individuals facing economic hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.<ref name = sfbay>{{cite web | url = https://sfbayca.com/2020/12/17/airbnb-co-founder-donates-25-million-to-bay-area-homeless-programs/ | publisher = SF Bay Media | title = Airbnb co-founder donates $25 million to Bay Area homeless programs| accessdate = 1 January 2022}}</ref> Gebbia also has made a personal donation to the Kevin Durant Charity Foundation which was used to redevelop basketball and tennis courts at the [[Hayes Valley, San Francisco|Hayes Valley Playground]] in San Francisco – marrying his passion for design, philanthropy and athletics, becoming one of his favorite projects.<ref name = sfcbs>{{cite web | url = https://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2019/07/31/kevin-durant-airbnb-co-founder-help-fund-basketball-tennis-courts-in-san-francisco/ | publisher = CBS San Francisco | title = Kevin Durant, Airbnb Co-Founder Help Fund Basketball, Tennis Courts In San Francisco| accessdate = 1 January 2022}}</ref> He serves on the Advisory Council for [[United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees| United Nations (UN) High Commissioner for Refugees]] and traveled with the group to Jordan to further educate himself on refugee conditions.<ref name = yahoo>{{cite web | url = https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/airbnb-co-founder-helps-launch-160000353.html | publisher = Yahoo! News | title = Airbnb Co-Founder Helps Launch Company's $25M Fund to Support Refugees with $5M Donation| accessdate = 1 January 2022}}</ref> He also is immersed in the [[Malala Fund]], a global initiative to promote and finance equal opportunities for learning among women and girls, as an engaged member of the Leadership Council. Gebbia traveled with [[Malala Yousafzai]] to Kenya and Rwanda to work on girls’ education in refugee camps.<ref name = people>{{cite web | url = https://people.com/human-interest/airbnb-cofounder-launches-refugee-fund-5m-donation/ | publisher = People magazine | title = Airbnb Co-Founder Helps Launch Company's $25M Fund to Support Refugees with $5M Donation| accessdate = 1 January 2022}}</ref> In 2017, Gebbia brought [[Yeonmi Park]], a North Korean refugee as his guest to the [[Met Gala]] to bring attention to the issue of global-refugee security.<ref name = nytimes/> Park landed on the front page of The New York Times’ style section following the event.<ref name = nytimes>{{cite web | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/04/fashion/joe-gebbia-yeonmi-park-met-gala.html | publisher = The New York Times | title = Activism at the Met Gala| accessdate = 1 January 2022}}</ref> Gebbia is also among the youngest members to join the Giving Pledge, created by Bill and [[Melinda Gates]] with [[Warren Buffett]]. The group signifies a commitment from wealthy individuals to give more than half of their wealth towards philanthropy.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://fortune.com/2016/06/01/airbnb-cofounders-join-buffett-and-gates-giving-pledge/|title=Airbnb Cofounders Join Buffett and Gates' 'Giving Pledge'|date=June 1, 2016|magazine=Fortune|accessdate=October 10, 2016}}</ref> Gebbia has made donations to service-led companies and projects, including Thorn, Educate Girls, [[Salk Institute for Biological Studies| Salk Institute Harnessing Plants Initiative]], and the TED Audacious Project.<ref name = philanthropynews>{{cite web | url = https://philanthropynewsdigest.org/news/audacious-project-announces-grants-totaling-406-million | publisher = Philanthropy News Digest |title ='Audacious Project' Announces Grants Totaling $406 Million | accessdate = 1 January 2022}}</ref> Gebbia sits on the board of trustees of his alma mater, the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD). A former scholarship recipient himself, Gebbia pledged $300,000 to his alma mater RISD to create an endowed fund that will make RISD accessible for talented students in need of financial assistance. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.risd.edu/About/History_Mission_Governance/Leadership/|title=Board of Trustees - Leadership - About - RISD|work=risd.edu}}</ref><ref name="risdscholarships">{{cite web|url=http://www.risd.edu/about/news/2014/gebbia-gift/|title=Airbnb Cofounder Supports RISD Scholarships - News - About - RISD|work=risd.edu}}</ref> ===Documentary work=== In 2020, Gebbia served as executive producer on the [[documentary film ]]“Universe,” which follows gifted jazz trumpeter [[Wallace Roney]], Miles Davis’s protégé, as he convenes an orchestra to perform a rediscovered orchestral [[Suite (music)|jazz suite]] by Wayne Shorter—written in 1966 for [[Miles Davis]] but never before performed.<ref name = hollywoodreporter>{{cite web | url = https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/universe-1298925/| publisher = The Hollywood Reporter | title = ‘Universe’: Film Review| accessdate = 1 January 2022}}</ref> The film premiered weeks after its Roney died from complications of [[COVID-19]], making it one of the very first films to be shaped by the 2020’s global pandemic.<ref name = hollywoodreporter/> Gebbia also executive produced a documentary, in partnership with XTR, following the [[Refugee Olympic Team at the Olympics]] before, during and after the [[2020 Tokyo Games]].<ref name = thewrap>{{cite web | url = https://www.thewrap.com/oscar-nominee-waad-al-kateab-to-direct-refugee-olympic-team-doc/ | publisher = The Wrap | title = Oscar Nominee Waad Al-Kateab to Direct Documentary on Refugee Olympic Team| accessdate = 1 January 2022}}</ref> The Tokyo Refugee Olympic Team consisted of 29 athletes, originating from 11 countries and residing in 13 host nations.<ref name = thewrap/> ===Politics=== Gebbia supported Democratic presidential candidate [[Barack Obama]] in his [[Barack Obama 2008 presidential campaign|2008 Presidential Campaign]].<ref name = thewallstreetjournal>{{cite web | url = https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB121803424407616937 | publisher = The Wall Street Journal | title = The business of politics | accessdate = 7 December 2021}}</ref> In 2017, he spoke at the [[Obama Foundation]] Summit.<ref name = DNA>{{cite web | url = https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20171031/south-loop/president-barack-obama-foundation-summit-michelle-prince-harry-chance-the-rapper-wintrust-arena/ | publisher = DNA | title =Obamas, Prince Harry Headline Summit This Week: Here's How To Watch | accessdate = 7 December 2021}}</ref> ===Investments=== Gebbia has made investments in women and service-led companies and projects, including The Helm, Thorn, Educate Girls, [[Salk Institute for Biological Studies| Salk Institute Harnessing Plants Initiative]], and the TED Audacious Project.<ref name = philanthropynews>{{cite web | url = https://philanthropynewsdigest.org/news/audacious-project-announces-grants-totaling-406-million | publisher = Philanthropy News Digest |title ='Audacious Project' Announces Grants Totaling $406 Million | accessdate = 1 January 2022}}</ref><ref name = quartz>{{cite web | url = https://qz.com/work/1597724/how-to-raise-millions-for-your-nonprofit-according-to-ted/ | publisher = Quartz | title = TED’s fundraising masterclass teaches you how to raise millions for your nonprofit | accessdate = 1 January 2022}}</ref> In 2022, Gebbia joined the [[San Antonio Spurs]] investor group as its newest strategic partner. In this position, Gebbia is a [[Minority interest| minority owner]], joining billionaire [[Michael Dell]] and San Francisco-based investment firm [[Sixth Street Partners|Sixth Street]] as fellow investors.<ref name = theatlantic>{{cite web | url = https://theathletic.com/news/spurs-add-airbnb-co-founder-joe-gebbia-as-minority-ownership-stakeholder/xAWoQMesDNDe/ | publisher = The Atlantic | title =Spurs add Airbnb co-founder Joe Gebbia as minority ownership stakeholder | accessdate = 21 January 2022}}</ref> ===Recognition=== In 2009, Gebbia was listed in BusinessWeek's Top 20 Best Young Tech Entrepreneurs.<ref name=“Bloomberg”>{{Cite web|title = Best Young Tech Entrepreneurs 2009: AirBnB|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/ss/09/04/0421_best_young_entrepreneurs/9.htm|website = Bloomberg|access-date = 2016-02-11}}</ref> In 2010, he was named in Inc. Magazine's Thirty under Thirty, and 2013, he was named in Fortune Magazine's Forty-under-Forty.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Brian Chesky, Joe Gebbia, and Nathan Blecharczyk, Founders of AirBnB|url = http://www.inc.com/30under30/2010/profile-brian-chesky-joe-gebbia-nathan-blecharczyk-airbnb.html|website = Inc.com|date = 2010-07-19|access-date = 2016-02-11}}</ref> Gebbia was also named one of Fast Company’s Most Creative People.<ref name = fastco>{{cite web | url = https://www.fastcompany.com/person/joe-gebbia | publisher = Fast Company | title = Meet Joe Gebbia, one of Fast Company's Most Creative People| accessdate = 1 January 2022}}</ref> Gebbia is also included in The Chronicle of Philanthropy’s 2021 list of America’s 50 Biggest Charity Donors, alongside Jeff Bezos, MacKenzie Scott, and Michael Bloomberg.<ref name = philanthropy>{{cite web | url = https://www.philanthropy.com/article/jeff-bezos-mackenzie-scott-and-michael-bloomberg-top-list-of-americas-50-biggest-charity-donors | publisher = Chronicle of Philanthropy | title = Jeff Bezos, MacKenzie Scott, and Michael Bloomberg Top List of America’s 50 Biggest Charity Donors | accessdate = 1 January 2022}}</ref> ==Personal life== He lives in San Francisco, California and [[New York City]].<ref name="risdscholarships"/><ref name="Forbes profile"/> Gebbia has a [[rescue dog]] named after the Airbnb logo, Bélo.<ref name = mrporter>{{cite web | url = https://www.mrporter.com/en-us/journal/travel/mr-joe-gebbias-guide-to-san-francisco-439588 | publisher = Mr. Porter | title = Mr Joe Gebbia’s Guide To San Francisco| accessdate = 1 January 2022}}</ref> ==References== {{Reflist|30em}} ==External links== * [https://www.npr.org/2017/10/19/543035808/airbnb-joe-gebbia How I Built This - Airbnb: Joe Gebbia] {{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Gebbia, Joe}} [[Category:1981 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:People from Atlanta]] [[Category:People from San Francisco]] [[Category:Rhode Island School of Design alumni]] [[Category:21st-century American businesspeople]] [[Category:American billionaires]] [[Category:American people of Italian descent]] [[Category:Real estate company founders]] [[Category:Giving Pledgers]] [[Category:21st-century philanthropists]] [[Category:Y Combinator people]]'