Adam Harris: The Story Behind an Award-Winning Platform

In 2012, Cloudbeds, the award-winning hospitality platform, was conceived during a trip to Brazil by co-founders Richard Castle and Adam Harris. The entrepreneurs were faced with the challenge of booking local accommodation, which involved calling for availability and wiring money to reserve a property. Independent property owners did not have access to the modern guest experience that travelers expect.

This experience frustrated Richard and Adam, leading them to dream of a platform that could enable any property, regardless of size, type, or location, to run a successful lodging business. Over time, Cloudbeds has experienced significant growth, including four financing rounds and the acquisition of multiple companies. It has generated billions in revenue for tens of thousands of properties in more than 150 countries and continues to expand.

Adam, the Co-Founder and CEO of Cloudbeds, who I recently spoke with, has lived a life of adventure and innovation. His journey from a successful investment banker to a globe-trotting entrepreneur has been nothing short of extraordinary. His love for travel and entrepreneurship led him to explore the most remote corners of the planet and paved the way for his current success in the travel industry.

With years of experience in consulting, building and selling multiple companies, and not to mention, traveling to over 51 countries, Adam has developed a unique perspective on the world. He firmly believes that travel and food are the keys to understanding local cultures, and he is passionate about providing travelers with the best opportunities to explore and experience these cultures through unique properties.

Adam’s entrepreneurial spirit and community work have earned him widespread recognition in the media. His exposure in prominent outlets such as The New York Times, Forbes, Fortune, NPR, and more, has cemented his status as a prominent figure in the world of entrepreneurship.

In addition to his successful business ventures, Adam is also a philanthropist at heart. He established the non-profit La Jolla Community Fireworks Foundation in 2009 and raised an impressive $50,000 in just 48 hours to save his hometown’s Fourth of July tradition. Adam’s entrepreneurial talents are not limited to the travel industry. In fact, in 2009, he invented a dog collar company called Bark4Beer with a close college friend. The overnight sensation generated over 100 million website impressions within the first month, putting Adam and his co-founder in the national spotlight.

From investment banking to innovative entrepreneurship, Adam’s story is an inspiration to many. His dedication to his passions, his commitment to his community, and his unique perspective on the world have helped him achieve incredible success in both business and life.

In this interview, Adam speaks with me in an in-depth chat about Cloudbeds and how he and his friend and business partner, Richard, took a simple idea and turned it into an outstanding company:

‍