Company type | Private |
---|---|
Industry | Homestay, Social networking service |
Founded | Paris, France, 2014 |
Founder | Matthieu Jost François de Landes Marc Dedonder[ citation needed ] Julien Delon [1] |
Headquarters | , United States |
Website | www |
misterb&b is a travel and social networking website that provides a searchable database of LGBTQ-friendly rentable lodging, including rooms, apartments, hotels, and homestays, primarily catering to gay men. [2] [3] [4] It is accessible via a website and a mobile app. [5]
It is considered the largest gay-focused booking app in the world. [6] It launched a tool that helps LGBTQ+ users to connect.[ citation needed ]
misterb&b supports LGBTQ+ NGOs through its "mister for good" initiative. [7] [8]
misterb&b started as a combination of gay travel website myGayTrip and short-term apartment rental service, Sejourning. [9]
Co-founder Matthieu Jost had used services like Airbnb with mixed results. Jost suggested that it was difficult to screen potential hosts to see if they might be gay-friendly. After several uncomfortable experiences, Jost looked into starting a gay-friendly alternative.[ citation needed ]
The misterb&b website was launched in the spring of 2014. [10]
In 2014, the site was temporarily blocked by Gogo, an in-flight Wifi service. [11]
By 2015, misterb&b had 55,000 hosts in over 130 countries. [12]
The company was selected for and participated in 500 Startups, one of the largest early-stage accelerators in the world. [13]
In May 2015, it was selected by The Next Web as one of the top notable startups from the accelerator. The company also raised $2 million in seed funding at that time. [13]
In June 2017, the company raised a series A round of $8.5 million. [12]
Joel Simkhai, the founder of Grindr, was an early investor. [14]
As of February 2019, the site had over 200,000 properties in 135 countries with total funding of $13.5 million.[ citation needed ]
As of August 2019, it had over 300,000 hosts in over 135 countries. [15]
It has been selected to join Expedia Group accelerator program to help undeserved communities to travek more easily across the world. [16] [17]
The main function of the website is to match prospective LGBT travelers with LGBT-friendly hosts worldwide.[ citation needed ]
The website encourages its hosts to make their apartments or rooms available during major LGBT events in their city. It also acts as a social networking service, travel guide, and online community for gay travelers.
There is no charge for posting an apartment or room for rent on misterb&b, but the site charges 17% on room fare from the host and 17% of the final bill from the guest.
Users can search using a number of parameters in their desired city. Some of these parameters include: willingness to accept pets, the choice between gay or simply straight allies, and an option for seeking out "unusual" apartments or rooms. [9] [18]
misterb&b reported that 60% of its hosts in Paris do not use other sharing accommodation websites. [13] It also provides curated hotels on the platform and tools to help members stay safe such as misterb&b gift cards. [19]
There has been a misconception that the service promotes a hookup culture. [20]
Misterbnb encourages forming friendships between hosts and guests. [21] [22]
It offers a loyalty program. [2] It also has safety features such as identity verification. [23] [24]
Matthieu Jost, the CEO has been ranked top 100 most inspirational and influential LGBTQ+ leader in the world by Out Magazine . [5]
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myGwork is a business community for LGBTQ+ professionals, graduates, and inclusive employers. It aims to empower the LGBTQ+ community by providing members a safe space where they can connect with inclusive employers, find jobs, mentors, professional events and news.
Matthieu Jost is a French entrepreneur, founder and chief executive officer of websites misterb&b and MyGayTrip. He has been ranked top 100 most inspirational and influential LGBTQ+ leader in the world by the Out Magazine.
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