Nathan Blecharczyk
Born 1983 · Age 42
American entrepreneur and software engineer; co‑founder and chief strategy officer of Airbnb; first CTO of Airbnb; chairman of Airbnb China.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Boston, Massachusetts
Nathan Blecharczyk was born in Boston, Massachusetts, son of Sheila (née Underwood) and Paul Steven Blecharczyk.
Family ancestry noted (Polish-American)
Family background: father Paul Steven Blecharczyk is Polish‑American; ancestors came to the US around World War I.
Began coding (reported)
Reported that Nathan began coding around age 12 (early start in software)
Started high‑school software/web‑hosting business
While in high school he created a software business and ran a web‑hosting service that generated income.
Graduated Boston Latin Academy
Graduated from Boston Latin Academy (high school).
High‑school web‑hosting listed on Spamhaus ROKSO (report)
His web‑hosting business reportedly provided services to spammers and was once listed on The Spamhaus Project 'Registry of Known Spam Operators (ROKSO)'.
Matriculated at Harvard University (Computer Science)
Enrolled at Harvard College to pursue a Bachelor of Science in computer science; active on the business staff of The Harvard Crimson.
Abandoned web‑hosting business to focus on studies
Stopped running the web‑hosting business in order to focus on his Harvard studies; prior earnings had helped pay tuition.
Worked on The Harvard Crimson business staff
Served on the business staff of the student newspaper, The Harvard Crimson, while attending Harvard College.
Graduated Harvard University (BS, Computer Science) [inferred]
Completed Bachelor of Science in computer science at Harvard (graduation year inferred from subsequent career timeline).
Joined OPNET as an engineer
Began career as an engineer at network performance software company OPNET.
Lead developer at Batiq
Worked as a lead developer at Batiq (role reported in biography).
Moved in with Joe Gebbia after Craigslist ad
Moved into an apartment with Joe Gebbia after seeing an ad on Craigslist (precursor to close founder relationship).
Co‑founded Airbnb
Partnered with Brian Chesky and Joe Gebbia to found Airbnb; became the company's first chief technology officer.
Built Airbnb's original website (Ruby on Rails)
As Airbnb's first CTO, coded the company's original website using Ruby on Rails.
Obama O's / Cap'n McCain's cereal marketing stunt
After failing to raise funding, founders produced themed cereal and sold it at the 2008 Democratic National Convention, raising about $30,000 and attracting interest.
Joined Y Combinator (winter 2009)
Invited by Paul Graham to Y Combinator's January 2009 session; received $20,000 in funding in exchange for roughly 6% equity.
Early regulatory pushback in NYC and San Francisco (period)
Airbnb faced attempts to ban the service in New York City and San Francisco; the company later agreed to pay hotel taxes—early regulatory challenges as the service scaled.
Press scrutiny of early business practices (reported)
Media coverage revisited co‑founder's earlier web‑hosting business and Spamhaus listing (reporting around 2011).
Oversaw Airbnb expansion into Cuba
Blecharczyk oversaw Airbnb's 2015 expansion into Cuba as the company broadened international listings.
Public philanthropy & profile increases
As Airbnb scaled, Blecharczyk's public philanthropic profile grew (media reports and philanthropic commitments in 2016).
Joined The Giving Pledge
Committed to Warren Buffett and Bill Gates' 'The Giving Pledge', promising to give the majority of his wealth to philanthropic causes.
Transitioned to Chief Strategy Officer at Airbnb
Transitioned from CTO to Chief Strategy Officer in early 2017, focusing on long‑term company strategy.
Published: 'Why Fathers Need Parental Leave Too' (Fortune)
Authored a Fortune op‑ed advocating for parental leave for fathers (June 18, 2017).
Named Chairman of Airbnb China (Aibiying)
Announced as chairman of Airbnb China (also known as Aibiying) in October 2017.
Ongoing expansion and scaling at Airbnb (leadership role)
Continued leadership in strategy and expansion as Airbnb scaled internationally and expanded product offerings.
Public comment on parental leave & family life
Publicly advocated for parental leave for fathers; family and personal life featured in media profiles (two children; spouse Elizabeth Morey Blecharczyk a neonatologist).
Responded to China data‑sharing controversy
In summer 2019, responded to concerns after Chinese officials asked Airbnb for enhanced data sharing; quoted saying the company was not there to 'promote American values.'
Donated $1 million to Boston Latin Academy
Gave $1,000,000 to his high school alma mater, Boston Latin Academy (reported October 2019).
Airbnb global scale milestone (reported)
Described in profiles as hosting millions of listings across 190+ countries as the platform matured (company milestone reported in profiles).
Airbnb IPO (reported)
Airbnb went public in 2020, with headlines citing a valuation over $100 billion at IPO (source included in biography summaries).
Media profile on returning to scrappy roots
Profiles in business media highlighted Blecharczyk leaning back into Airbnb's scrappy roots and operational involvement (mid‑2023 coverage).
Public philanthropic commitments and activity (ongoing)
Active philanthropist (Giving Pledge member) and donor to education; profile continues to mention philanthropy and family commitments.
Personal: Married with two children; resides in San Francisco
Personal status: married to Elizabeth Morey Blecharczyk (neonatologist) and father of two; residency in San Francisco noted in profiles.
Forbes ranks him 203rd richest person; net worth reported
Listed by Forbes as the 203rd richest person in the world with a net worth reported as $9.4 billion, mostly due to Airbnb share ownership.
Ongoing role: Chief Strategy Officer and Chairman, Airbnb China
Continues to serve as Airbnb Co‑founder and Chief Strategy Officer and holds chairmanship of Airbnb China (Aibiying).
SEC proxy reports 62 million Airbnb shares owned
Airbnb, Inc. 2023 Form 14‑A (filed April 19, 2024) states Blecharczyk owns 62,000,000 shares of Airbnb.
Key Achievement Ages
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