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Former Dobson participant turns side gig into $1.3 billion startup

Published: 12 March 2021

Just over seven years ago, former McGill student Francis Davidson started a side business when he rented out his apartment to fellow McGill students.

Today, he is the co-founder and CEO of Sonder, a hospitality company that leases and owns properties worldwide. Davidson has raised over $550 million from venture capital firms to value the company at just over $1.3 billion, with Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk both contributing.

Now based in San Francisco, the 28-year-old plans to continue to grow the company and line up more properties despite the obstacles the pandemic has created. Sonder competed at the 2014 McGill Dobson Cup Startup Competition.

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