Airbnb is a technology brand renowned for its innovative nature, always ahead of the curve when it comes to the industries they work in. Having developed an international community of both renters and hosts, the business continuously engaging with its audience, finding new way to remain at the top.
Just this week, Airbnb announced plans to roll out an equity share scheme, allowing Airbnb hosts to become shareholders in the brand.
However, in order to do so, they needed some regularity changes to be made. This is why Airbnb has asked the Securities and Commission to alter the rules, permitting the platform to offer hosts a stake in their company. At present, only employees and investors are allowed stock options and equity ownership; one of the SEC rules the ‘gig-economy’ brand is challenging.
“Airbnb believes that twenty-first century companies are most successful when the interests of all stakeholders are aligned,” the company said in a letter to the SEC last week.
“For sharing economy companies like Airbnb, this includes our employees and investors, but also the hosts who use our marketplace” they continued.
With Airbnb looking at a 2019 IPO, it appears the next few years are going to be defining times for the company.
CEO of Airbnb, Brian Chesky, said the following:
“Our community model is different than a business with a traditional hierarchical structure and we are excited to have the chance to work with the SEC to consider reforms that could make more economic opportunities available to more people”.
Let us know what you think, should this rule be changed in favour of Airbnb’s plans? We would love to hear your thoughts and opinions. Share them with us by commenting below.
