World's 20 Most Valuable Private Tech Companies
#12 Airbnb
Estimated value: $2 billion
Last year's Rank: #16
Business: A global network of accommodations offered by locals.
Location: San Francisco, California
CEO: Brian Chesky
Analysis: Airbnb is a short-term apartment rental service. Like Expedia, it's a high margin business.
It is an online service that matches people seeking vacation rentals and other short-term accommodations with those with rooms to rent, generally the locals who are not professional hoteliers.
The company takes an average of 10% on every transaction and that it could book 24 million nights this year. At $100/night (and $10 to Airbnb), that's $240 million to the company, considerable increase than last year.
#11 VANCL
Estimated Valuation: $2.3 billion
Last Year's Rank: #12
Business: E-commerce specializing in clothing
Location: Beijing, China
CEO: Chen Nian
It is top internet apparel brand in China, focused on bringing quality men and women's fashions, shoes, and other lifestyle goods at reasonable prices.
