Airbnb discloses $7.1 million transaction with Chesky-controlled AI lab

Airbnb entered a $7.1 million intellectual-property and expense-reimbursement transaction with a recently formed AI lab controlled by co-founder and CEO Brian Chesky, according to the company’s quarterly filing.

Under the November agreement, the privately held lab acquired certain intellectual property from Airbnb and reimbursed the company for certain expenses. Airbnb, in turn, received the right, at its election, to invest in future equity financing rounds, along with a license to use certain lab intellectual property internally.

The filing does not break down the $7.1 million between the intellectual-property transfer and expense reimbursements. It also does not identify the transferred or licensed technology or disclose the terms of Airbnb’s investment right.

The filing said Chesky founded the lab, holds a controlling equity interest in it and performs services for it. Airbnb Chief Technology Officer Ahmad Al-Dahle also holds an equity interest in the lab and performs services for it. The lab was not named, and neither executive’s ownership percentage was disclosed.

Airbnb said the executives’ lab roles do not change their duties to the company and that they continue to devote the time and attention needed for those responsibilities. A special committee of independent and disinterested Airbnb directors considered and approved the arrangement under the company’s related-party transaction policy.