Joe Gebbia

Overview

Joe Gebbia is an American designer and entrepreneur, best known as a co-founder of Airbnb and for his investments in sustainable initiatives. He co-founded Airbnb in 2008, a peer-to-peer home rental platform, and served as its Chief Design Officer until 2022. In 2022, he joined the board of directors of Tesla, Inc., and in 2025, he was appointed as the first Chief Design Officer of the United States, leading the National Design Studio. He also co-founded Samara, an accessory dwelling unit startup, in 2022. As an angel investor, Gebbia focuses on sustainable design and impact investing, supporting early-stage companies that align with his values. His investments include a minority stake in the San Antonio Spurs basketball team and a commitment to The Helm, an early-stage venture firm investing in female-founded tech companies. He has also invested in Stark Bank, a corporate bank focusing on financial technology, and Vimcal, a calendar mobile app. Gebbia's philanthropic efforts are significant, including his commitment to The Giving Pledge, which aims to donate more than half his wealth to philanthropic causes. He has made donations to service-led companies and projects, including Thorn and Educate Girls. In 2014, he donated $300,000 to his alma mater, the Rhode Island School of Design, to create an endowed fund for students in need of financial assistance. In 2017, he brought Yeonmi Park, a North Korean refugee, as his guest to the Met Gala to bring attention to global refugee issues. In February 2023, Gebbia committed to donating $25 million to the Malala Fund over five years, supporting education for girls worldwide.

Investment Focus

• Sustainable business models
• Innovative solutions
• Scalable growth potential
• Strong leadership teams
• Positive social or environmental impact

Portfolio Companies