That's fine and all, rich dudes aren't their target market. But I cringe when I hear VCs talk about Airbnb, because it's nearly universally clueless.
I think Airbnb is special in this way. It's a darling startup every VC loves and no VC ever uses.
I talked to my airbnb host like twice - I would have loved a hotel but it was way cheaper. I hate talking to uber drivers. It's just a cheap convenient not terrible taxi.
The reason VCs didn't get airbnb isn't because they aren't millennials. It's because they're not cheap enough.
Relating to the problems of poor people is extremely difficult when you're rich.
Agreed. Maybe it was in its early days, but AirBnB today (In my experience using it ~10 times in the past 2 years, in major American cities. Could be different elsewhere) is that what you get is closer to a small boutique hotel service than a "social" experience, either with the hosts or other guests.
I use both Lyft and Airbnb and I generally know more about my Lyft driver after a ride to the airport than I know about my Airbnb host.
That's far too strong a claim. Most times I've used Airbnb have been social experiences—pleasant ones in fact, that I wouldn't have had otherwise.
I'd say the same about Lyft, come to think of it.
I use it because it's a superior product: more space, a kitchen, interesting neighborhoods, multiple bedrooms for traveling with friends, affordable, etc. A friendly host that I want to hang out with is a plus, but not the reason I use the service.
But in general, there's not much "nb" in Airbnb. I think that would limit their market quite a lot if they over-emphasised that.