Co-founder Nathan Blecharczyk says Airbnb could partner with other companies, like Uber, or perhaps even launch a standalone service. March 19, 2014 9:02 AM PDT Airbnb, the online service that matches travelers with homeowners or renters who want to share their homes for a period of time, might be expanding. Speaking to The Next Web in an interview published Tuesday, Airbnb co-founder Nathan Blecharczyk said his company doesn't believe it's "just in the business of providing accommodation," adding that Airbnb is looking at ways it can provide "more conveniences" to its customers. Exactly how those "conveniences" will be shared, however, has yet to be determined. Blecharczyk said his company could tie in car service to get folks to their desired destinations and hinted that Uber could be a potential partner on that. He didn't say what other partnerships could arise from Airbnb's expansion, but they could extend to dining-related partnerships and deals with local providers in the areas where Airbnb provides its services. Not surprisingly, Blecharczyk was mum on his company's exact plans, but he didn't rule out the possibility of Airbnb launching its own standalone services to complement its existing business. Blecharczyk also did not provide a timeline.
Co-founder Nathan Blecharczyk says Airbnb could partner with other companies, like Uber, or perhaps even launch a standalone service.
Airbnb, the online service that matches travelers with homeowners or renters who want to share their homes for a period of time, might be expanding.
Speaking to The Next Web in an interview published Tuesday, Airbnb co-founder Nathan Blecharczyk said his company doesn't believe it's "just in the business of providing accommodation," adding that Airbnb is looking at ways it can provide "more conveniences" to its customers.
Exactly how those "conveniences" will be shared, however, has yet to be determined. Blecharczyk said his company could tie in car service to get folks to their desired destinations and hinted that Uber could be a potential partner on that. He didn't say what other partnerships could arise from Airbnb's expansion, but they could extend to dining-related partnerships and deals with local providers in the areas where Airbnb provides its services.
Not surprisingly, Blecharczyk was mum on his company's exact plans, but he didn't rule out the possibility of Airbnb launching its own standalone services to complement its existing business. Blecharczyk also did not provide a timeline.
