Airbnb’s Potential Investment in Oyo, Explained
Photo Credit: Brian Chesky, the CEO and co-founder of Airbnb, at the the New Delhi launch of Airbnb Trips in 2017. Airbnb is reportedly interested in investing in one of India's largest hotel startups, Oyo Hotels & Homes. Airbnb
Skift Take
This year is shaping up to be the year when Airbnb gets all of its ducks in a row before the big IPO. Investing in adjacent businesses like Oyo is a major part of that strategy. But will any of this ultimately matter — or make a difference — once the company goes public?
Recent news that Airbnb was considering an investment in fast-growing discount hotel chain Oyo, with mostly a footprint in Asia, underscored the homesharing giant’s quest to build greater global scale — and sent a message that it’s not planning to tap the brakes anytime soon even as it prepares for an eventual IPO.
The Information on Monday reported that Airbnb was considering investing anywhere from $100 to $200 million in Oyo Hotels & Homes.
Spokespeople for Airbnb in the U.S. and in Asia declined to comment on the report but did not deny the news either.
A spokesperson from Oyo was a little more circumspect and gave Skift the following statement: “As the seventh largest hotel chain operator in the world, Oyo Hotels & Homes is working closely with a range of global distribution partners such as Airbnb and other regional and global players. Our mission is to create quality living spaces and offer those to guests and travelers across the world, and global strat
