# Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky reveals how the day after the company went public at a $100 billion valuation turned out to be the ‘saddest day’ of his life.

*business · news · 2026-05-06 · Times of India*

## Key points

- Brian Chesky described the day after Airbnb's IPO as the 'saddest day' of his life.
- Chesky realized external validation, like adulation from a $100 billion IPO, felt ultimately hollow.
- The IPO experience led Chesky to shift focus toward intrinsic motivation rather than public recognition.
- Chesky suggests entrepreneurs should focus on creation over status for lasting fulfillment.

**Companies:** Airbnb

[Read the full story on Times of India](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/technology/tech-news/airbnb-ceo-brian-chesky-on-why-saddest-day-of-his-life-was-the-day-after-airbnb-went-public-at-100-billion/articleshow/130856056.cms)

---

Canonical: https://newsio.io/n/cb0835ed-5be0-44fd-9f70-c25675ae0bc8/airbnb-ceo-brian-chesky-reveals-how-the-day-after-the-company-went-public-at-a-1
Summarized by Newsio from Times of India. https://newsio.io/how-it-works