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The Economic Times
The Economic Times
Shreya Biswas

In 2011, Ashton Kutcher, Guy Oseary and Ron Burkle invested $2.5 million in Airbnb; 5 years later, their stake was worth about $90 million as the startup became a global giant

American actor and film producer Ashton Kutcher’s early technology investments included Airbnb, where he became an investor and strategic adviser in 2011.

According to a report, Kutcher, along with music manager Guy Oseary and billionaire Ron Burkle, put $2.5 million into Airbnb that year. By March 2016, Forbes reported that the stake was worth about $90 million. The figure referred to the investment made by the three investors collectively, not a $90 million personal stake belonging solely to Kutcher.

Ashton Kutcher Invested in Airbnb in 2011

At the time when Kutcher had made a significant investment in Airbnb and was joining the company as a strategic adviser, Airbnb was a website where people could list and book places and things for travel and vacations. Airbnb said Kutcher would work with the company on community engagement and expanding its international presence.

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Kutcher, Oseary and Burkle Put $2.5 Million Into Airbnb

In Forbes' March 2016 profile of Kutcher and Oseary’s investment activities, the report said that Kutcher, Oseary and Burkle put $2.5 million into Airbnb in 2011. Forbes also reported that the stake was worth about $90 million at the time of publication.

Airbnb Raised $112 Million in 2011

Airbnb continued raising money after Kutcher joined the company.

In July 2011, Airbnb announced a $112 million Series B financing from Andreessen Horowitz, DST Global and General Catalyst. The company said the funding would be used to fuel growth, accelerate hiring and strengthen its local community.

The Series B financing was separate from the $2.5 million investment that Forbes later identified as having been made by Kutcher, Oseary and Burkle.

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Airbnb Was Part of A-Grade’s Investment Portfolio

Forbes reported that Kutcher and Oseary joined Burkle to form A-Grade Investments in 2010. Burkle contributed $8 million, while Kutcher and Oseary each contributed $1 million of their own.

The group later invested in a range of technology companies. Forbes listed Airbnb alongside investments such as Uber, Spotify, Pinterest, Shazam and Warby Parker.

The Airbnb Stake Was Worth About $90 Million by 2016

By March 2016, Forbes reported that the $2.5 million invested in Airbnb by Kutcher, Oseary and Burkle in 2011 was worth about $90 million.

The reported $90 million was therefore the value of the group’s stake, rather than an amount that belonged entirely to Kutcher.

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Who Is Ashton Kutcher

Ashton Kutcher was born on February 7, 1978, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and is an American actor who is famous for starring as Michael Kelso in “That ‘70s Show.” Kutcher also co-created and hosted the MTV show, “Punk’d” and featured in the movies, “Dude, Where’s My Car?” and “What Happens In Vegas?”

Ashton Kutcher's Early Life

Kutcher studied biomedical engineering at the University of Iowa and worked in a General Mills factory. Kutcher won a local modeling competition in 1997 and moved to New York City, where he worked as a model for Calvin Klein and Abercrombie & Fitch.

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Ashton Kutcher's Acting Career

Kutcher became a star after joining That ’70s Show in 1998. He later appeared in films including The Butterfly Effect, A Lot Like Love, The Guardian and Jobs, in which he played Apple cofounder Steve Jobs.

In 2011, he replaced Charlie Sheen on Two and a Half Men, playing a tech billionaire. He remained on the show until 2015. From 2016 to 2020, he starred in Netflix’s The Ranch and later appeared in Your Place or Mine in 2023.

Ashton Kutcher's Technology Investments

Kutcher became active in technology investing in 2010. He cofounded A-Grade Investments and Sound Ventures, which backed companies including Airbnb, Uber, Affirm and OpenAI. In 2026, he left Sound Ventures to launch a new venture capital firm focused on artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies, as per a Britannica report.

Ashton Kutcher's Philanthropy and Personal Life

Kutcher cofounded Thorn in 2009, a nonprofit focused on combating human trafficking and the sexual exploitation of children.

He married Demi Moore in 2005, and their divorce was finalized in 2013. In 2015, he married Mila Kunis and they have two children.

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