{{Short description|Travel and holiday companies of the United Kingdom}} '''Accomable''' was an accessible travel startup that helped disabled people find and book adapted holiday accommodation worldwide online. Founded by Srin Madipalli and Martyn Sibley, two childhood friends who have Spinal Muscular Atrophy, the company was based in London, and was acquired by Airbnb in 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/11/16/airbnb-buys-accomable-a-specialist-in-travel-listings-for-disabled-people/|title=Airbnb buys 'Airbnb for disabled people' startup Accomable in accessibility upgrade – TechCrunch|website=techcrunch.com|date=16 November 2017 |language=en-US|access-date=2018-05-15}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-42019898|title='Disabled Airbnb' bought by Airbnb|date=2017-11-16|work=BBC News|access-date=2018-05-15|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2017/nov/27/airbnb-expands-into-stays-for-disabled-travellers-accomable-rental|title=Access all areas: Airbnb expands into stays for disabled travellers|last=Coldwell|first=Will|date=2017-11-27|website=The Guardian|language=en|access-date=2018-05-15}}</ref>
== Background == Accomable listed holiday accommodations with a range of accessibility features, including step-free entry, roll-in showers, hoists, height-adjustable beds and other equipment for guests with disabilities.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.todayonline.com/lifestyle/travel/jetsetting/how-accomable-founder-srin-madipalli-making-travelling-people|title=How Accomable founder Srin Madipalli is making travelling for people with disabilities easier|work=TODAYonline|access-date=2018-05-15}}</ref>
Accomable CEO and co-founder, Srin Madipalli, developed the concept for Accomable in 2011 while travelling on a six month break from his City law job in London.<ref name="auto">{{Cite news|url=https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/accomable-airbnb-disability-travel/index.html|title=Accomable: Airbnb-style site shakes up mobility travel|date=2016-02-18|work=CNN Travel|access-date=2018-05-15|language=en}}</ref> Madipalli quit his law job and enrolled as an MBA at Saïd Business School (2013) where he developed an interest in tech and startups. The site was launched in the summer of 2015.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.wired.co.uk/article/accomable-revolutionising-travel|title=Accomable is sharing economy travel honed for disabled people|last=Collins|first=Katie|access-date=2018-05-15}}</ref>
== Developments == In May 2016, Accomable secured £300,000 seed funding from undisclosed private investors.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2016/05/04/accomable/|title=Accomable wants to solve the accessible holiday search problem – TechCrunch|website=techcrunch.com|date=4 May 2016 |language=en-US|access-date=2018-05-15}}</ref> The company also received a grant from the Skoll Centre for Entrepreneurship based at Oxford University, where Mr Madipalli did his MBA, via an initiative to support ventures that deliver social impact.<ref name="auto"/>
An Accomable documentary short film was shortlisted at the 2015 UN Enable Film Festival in New York.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.un.org/development/desa/disabilities/united-nations-enable-film-festival-uneff.html|title=United Nations Enable Film Festival (UNEFF) {{!}} United Nations Enable|website=www.un.org|language=en-US|access-date=2018-05-15}}</ref>
== Airbnb acquisition == In 2017, Airbnb acquired Accomable for an undisclosed amount to improve accessibility across the platform. As part of the acquisition, Srin Madipalli joined Airbnb as Accessibility Product and Program Manager in San Francisco.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/bizcarson/2017/11/16/airbnb-acquires-accomable/#7e9a66262ffe|title=Airbnb Acquires Accomable In Push To Better Accommodate Travelers With Disabilities|last=Carson|first=Biz|work=Forbes|access-date=2018-05-15|language=en}}</ref>
== References == <!-- Inline citations added to your article will automatically display here. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WP:REFB for instructions on how to add citations. --> {{reflist|2}}
Category:2015 establishments in the United Kingdom Category:Travel and holiday companies of the United Kingdom Category:Defunct disability organisations based in the United Kingdom