Airbnb has made its first acquisition as a public company, acquiring Gameplanner.AI for just under $200 million, according to CNBC. Gameplanner.AI, founded in 2020 by Adam Cheyer, one of the founders of Siri, has been in “stealth mode” until now. According to Airbnb, the acquisition will expedite the development of some of Airbnb’s AI projects.
Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky has expressed his vision of using generative AI to transform Airbnb into a “travel concierge” that learns about users over time and enhances their travel experiences. For instance, the platform could match users with the right rooms or homes.
This deal is Airbnb’s first acquisition since 2019 and could pique some interest on Wall Street as to whether Chesky’s M&A strategy is shifting, potentially making Airbnb a more attractive acquisition. The company is profitable on a GAAP basis and held $11 billion in cash and liquid assets as of the end of September.
