UNTIL recently "Uber envy" afflicted many top executives at Airbnb, a platform for booking overnight stays in other people's homes. So admits a big investor in the firm. The two companies often raised money at the same time, and the ride-hailing giant reliably received more cash and closer attention. Uber is America's most valuable private technology firm, with a valuation of close to $7obn at last count; Airbnb is still in second place with a value of around $3obn. But with Uber facing a series of setbacks, including allegations of intellectual-property theft, departures by senior executives and a consumer boycott, jealousy in Airbnb's hallways has largely evaporated.
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