Home rental firm Airbnb spurns approach from Ackman's blank-check firm

Home rental firm Airbnb spurns approach from Ackman's blank-check firm

A 3D printed people's models are seen in front of a displayed Airbnb logo in this illustration taken, June 8, 2016. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration

Billionaire investor William Ackman has approached short-term home rental company Airbnb Inc about going public through a reverse merger with his blank-check company, according to people familiar with the matter.