Airbnb aims to be ‘ready’ to go public from June 30, 2019, creates cash bonus program for staff

Airbnb, the accommodation rental business, has been building up a larger profile as a travel services powerhouse to fill out its $31 billion valuation, and now it’s putting some pieces in place inside the company — specifically aimed at employee compensation — to prepare for the next phase of its growth, which could include going as soon as June 30, 2019, but not later than late 2020.

Airbnb, the outsized “startup” that now employs 4,000 people, is currently profitable on an Ebitda basis. Now, to give its employees more direct compensation from those spoils, it has created a bonus program that will provide cash bonuses to employees in 2018 and 2019; and it has eliminated the one-year vesting cliff for those who have received equity grants for previous service to the company. On top of this, Airbnb will now give all employees more choices with future compensation. Specifically, staff can can opt to take refresh grants in cash instead of shares if they choose.