Airbnb picks up two firms as it looks to make its platform better for everyone

AirbnbAirbnb is looking to diversify its offering on a couple of fronts with two acquisitions aimed at accessibility and ad testing respectively.

The online accommodation marketplace has welcomed Accomable and AdBasis to the company.

Accomable, founded in 2015, makes it easier for people with disabilities to find accessible accommodation when they’re travelling. It setup by Srin Madipalli and Martyn Sibley, two friends with spinal muscular atrophy.

The startup’s site will be slowly phased out over the next few months, with Airbnb adding Accomable’s listings to its service in over 60 countries. The company’s founders and most of its staff will join Airbnb.

“Previously, travellers with disabilities could only search for homes that were labelled as ‘wheelchair accessible’ when they were searching for an accessible place to stay,” said Airbnb. “Guests weren’t getting the information they needed to find the right homes, nor the confidence that the home they selected would actually be accessible for them.”

Meanwhile, AdBasis – founded in 2014 by Joe DiVita and Jason Puckett – is an ad testing and optimisation platform.

Little is known about the acquisition, but it closed on 13 November and its team will continue to work on what it specialises in under the Airbnb banner.

“Were thrilled to share with you that as of 13 November 2017, AdBasis has been acquired by Airbnb,” said AdBasis. “As part of Airbnb, our team will continue to pave the way in digital creative testing & optimization technology.

“We look forward to continuing to change the way the world views ads.”

Array