In a significant development for the sharing economy, Airbnb has raised a whopping $117 million in its latest funding round, valuing the company at an impressive $2.5 billion. This news comes as no surprise to those who have been following the company’s rapid growth and expansion.
A Form D Filing Reveals the Details
According to a Form D filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Airbnb has secured $117 million in funding, exceeding the initial estimate of around $100 million. The company has stated that this filing is part of its Series B financing, which initially closed over a year ago on July 22, 2011.
Airbnb’s Statement on the Funding
In response to the news, Airbnb released a statement stating that the Form D filing was a customary notification related to the company’s prior Series B financing. The company has emphasized that this filing is unrelated to any other financing it may undertake in the future.
While the spokesperson declined to comment on future funding, there have been reports suggesting that Peter Thiel could be investing up to $150 million in the company. It has also been rumored that the total round will be worth $200 million, with a valuation of $2.5 billion.
Previous Backers and Valuation
Airbnb’s previous backers include Sequoia, Andreessen Horowitz, General Catalyst, Crunch Fund, Ashton Kutcher, and more. The Form D lists Greg McAdoo from Sequoia and Jeff Jordan from Andreessen Horowitz as two of its directors.
If the reported valuation is correct, Airbnb would become one of the most valuable companies in the collaborative consumption space, surpassing other notable players like Uber and Lyft.
Previous Reporting and Insights
When we first broke the story about the newest funding round, we estimated that it could value the company at between $2 billion and $3 billion. If correct, this would make Airbnb one of the most valuable companies in the sharing economy space.
Separately, Airbnb filed a second Form D noting a raise of just under $1.6 million made earlier in the year. Both filings are a mixture of debt and equity.
Growth and Revenue Estimates
In June, the company reported that it had taken 10 million bookings worldwide for room and house sharing on its site to date. The company takes a 10% commission on each booking, which could point to revenues of between $168 million and $240 million if the average price per night is between $70 and $100.
Future Outlook
While Airbnb has not disclosed revenues publicly, the latest funding round suggests that the company is continuing to expand its reach and user base. With a valuation of $2.5 billion, Airbnb is well-positioned to become one of the leading players in the sharing economy space.
Related News and Topics
- Airbnb: A comprehensive guide to the company’s history, growth, and expansion.
- Collaborative Consumption: An overview of the sharing economy space, including notable players like Airbnb, Uber, and Lyft.
- Venture Capital: Insights into the latest funding trends, startup valuations, and venture capital investments.
About the Author
Ingrid Lunden is a writer and editor for TechCrunch, covering mobile, digital media, advertising, and the spaces where these intersect. She has been writing about technology for over 10 years and has a keen eye for spotting trends and insights in the industry.