San Francisco – Joe Gebbia, co-founder of Airbnb, has divested more than $360 million worth of his company shares throughout 2025, according to recent SEC filings. This significant sale represents approximately 7% of his total holdings in the global hospitality giant. The move underscores a period of active portfolio management for the entrepreneur.
The substantial stock sales, which occurred on 13 separate days since January 2025, have been closely watched by market observers. Despite the large volume of shares sold, Gebbia maintains significant voting power within Airbnb, largely due to his ownership of Class B shares and existing co-founder agreements. He stepped back from his full-time operational role as Chief Strategy Officer in 2022 to pursue new projects and spend more time with family, though he remains on the company's board of directors.
In contrast to his Airbnb divestments, Gebbia recently made a notable investment in electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla Inc. In April 2025, he acquired approximately 4,000 shares of TSLA stock, valued at over $1 million. This purchase followed his appointment to Tesla's board of directors in 2022, signaling a diversification of his investment interests into the automotive and technology sectors.
Gebbia’s financial activities reflect a broader trend among successful tech founders to reallocate wealth and engage in new ventures post-initial public offering. His continued involvement on the boards of both Airbnb and Tesla suggests an ongoing strategic interest in these companies, even as he adjusts his personal equity positions. The market implications of such sales are often viewed as personal diversification rather than a reflection of company performance, especially when a founder retains substantial influence.