Airbnb names OMG! Fund hosts, launches noise-monitoring technology

In June, Airbnblaunched what it calls the “$10,000,000 OMG! Fund” to finance 100 unique property ideas – the aim being to help designers, architects and DIY enthusiasts bring their ideas to life and potentially host the properties on Airbnb.

From tens of thousands of entries, Airbnb has selected 100 recipients from 23 countries to receive as much as $100,000 each to turn their creations into reality.

Airbnb says the winning ideas stood out for their “unique and inspiring design, sustainable consideration and novel ways of offering immersive guest experiences,” and over the next 10 months, recipients will design, construct and outfit their spaces to be ready for guests by summer 2023.

The properties will be available as part of Airbnb’s OMG! Category, which was unveiled in May as part of a wider platform update.

The OMG! Fund judging panel comprised design and style icon Iris Apfel, architectural expert Koichi Takada, Airbnb Superhost Kristie Wolfe and Airbnb vice president of experiential Bruce Vaughn.

Entries drew inspiration from the depths of the sea to sci-fi novels, and Airbnb says more than 50% of recipients are already hosts on Airbnb.

Meanwhile, the home-share giant has also partnered with property tech company Minut to address potential noise issues for hosts.

The company says Minut is the only noise-monitoring solution that integrates with Airbnb. Previously, in July 2021, Airbnb partner Migo tapped NoiseAware as its exclusive noise-monitoring service.

With the Minut noise sensor, which integrates into Airbnb’s messaging tool, hosts can prevent and address potential issues while protecting guest privacy, as the device only flags if decibels exceed a certain level and do not record or transmit sounds and conversations.

Hosts are required to disclose the presence of the devices on their listing page and are prohibited from placing devices in spaces like bedrooms. If the device detects noise, an automatic notification can be sent by Minut through the Airbnb messaging tool to alert the host and guest.

“Stays take place across the world each night on Airbnb, with the vast majority being respectful of hosts’ homes and neighborhoods and sharing the benefits of tourism with local communities. This collaboration with Minut continues our commitment to encourage safe and responsible travel on Airbnb, and further empowers our host community to stop unauthorized parties,” says Airbnb global head of hosting Catherine Powell.

Airbnb is offering hosts in more than 60 countries and regions a free noise sensor and a free three-month subscription to Minut’s noise and occupancy monitoring service. 

The collaboration is the latest in a series of measures to enforce the platform’s anti-party stance, including the launch of anti-party technology and the codification of its global party ban.