Riders are getting around town much more efficiently, benefiting from Uber's services.

In the beginning, Uber was a lifestyle service for a select group of friends, requiring a special code to access the app, which led to explosive viral growth as users shared it with others.

Connecting people with cars to those who need rides is a fundamental idea behind many successful startups.

The original idea for Uber came from wanting to push a button and get a classy ride, inspired by the difficulty of hailing cabs in cities like Paris and San Francisco.

Currently, 50% of all people who have ever ridden with Uber have done so in the last 30 days, and the average person pays about $105 a month for rides.

During special events, Uber tailors its services to meet increased demand, such as providing themed rides like the 'Uber Cade' for President's Day in Washington, D.C.

As young founders, our naivety allowed us to explore ideas without preconceived notions, leading us to discover the unique experience that Airbnb could offer. When we started Airbnb, we were in a very different position compared to Uber; the founders of Uber were already wealthy, while we were just trying to survive.

Uber's marketing strategies include creative promotions, such as distributing roses on Valentine's Day to enhance the rider experience and encourage positive word-of-mouth.

Initially, many people thought Uber was a crazy idea, but it quickly gained traction and proved to be successful.