WeRoad Raises $58M from Airbnb to Enhance Its Group Travel Platform in the U.S.

WeRoad, a startup from Milan specializing in group travel, has successfully secured $58 million in a Series C funding round, led by Airbnb. This investment marks their first significant expansion beyond Europe. The new capital, totaling nearly $100 million, will support WeRoad’s launch into the U.S. market, starting with Austin.

This funding reflects a growing belief that travel companies could evolve into social platforms that foster meaningful offline connections, moving away from traditional booking websites.

As WeRoad embarks on its expansion in the U.S., it aligns with increasing concerns about loneliness among younger generations. This issue has become both a pressing public health challenge and a viable business opportunity. While many tech companies pivot towards AI, WeRoad focuses on the rising “IRL economy,” which promotes offline relationships rather than screen interactions. Other initiatives like Timeleft, 222, and Pie are also exploring event-driven and community-oriented experiences.

The concept for WeRoad originated from founders Paolo De Nadai, Fabio Bin, and Erika De Santi, who aimed to facilitate genuine connections.

“The inspiration came from personal experiences. After college, finding travel companions becomes increasingly difficult as friends settle down, start families, or have busy schedules,” De Nadai shared with TechCrunch. “Fabio and I explored solo travel options for group journeys. While those were fun, something felt lacking. Although the guides were local experts, the diverse age ranges sometimes led to disconnection. Travelers were there, but not fully engaged.”

In response, the founders redefined group travel to emphasize shared interests. WeRoad’s trips cater primarily to younger travelers, centered around common themes and types of experiences. Customers can choose from categories like beach getaways or skiing expeditions.

“We asked ourselves, ‘What if we designed trips for Millennials and Gen Z, uniting individuals with similar cultural backgrounds to promote authentic connections?’” De Nadai explained.

Before each trip, participants join a WhatsApp group led by the trip coordinator, enabling connections to form ahead of time. Group sizes typically number between eight and fifteen travelers.

“What concerns travelers the most isn’t the destination,” De Nadai observed, “but whether they’ll connect with the group. To ease this anxiety, WeRoad meticulously curates its itineraries to enhance social bonds. More interactive or collaborative activities are usually scheduled early on to help foster relationships.”

Most itineraries last 10 to 12 days, though shorter weekend trips have also been introduced for newcomers. WeRoad reports that around 60% of travelers opt for additional trips.

WeRoad employs “group leaders” instead of traditional tour guides. These leaders are usually closer in age to the travelers and accompany them throughout the experience. Currently, WeRoad partners with over 4,000 group leaders globally.

“Our goal isn’t to have specialists for every location, but to find individuals with travel experience and strong people skills. Can they facilitate a group, resolve conflicts, adapt to changes, and help strangers connect?” De Nadai remarked.

Additionally, WeRoad is expanding its offerings beyond travel. In 2025, the company launched WeMeet, an app focused on local events, featuring activities such as communal dinners, hikes, yoga sessions, running clubs, after-work gatherings, and game nights. Last year, WeMeet engaged over 50,000 participants across 35 cities, with the app achieving 150,000 downloads.

WeRoad intends to integrate WeMeet into its U.S. strategy. Rather than a broad nationwide rollout, the company plans to focus on select cities, starting in Austin—recruiting group leaders, organizing local events, and establishing community collaborations before expanding further.

“We aim to host WeMeet events in multiple U.S. cities in 2026, starting with Austin, celebrated for its vibrant culture and active community,” De Nadai added.

The sustainability of building long-lasting businesses addressing loneliness and enhancing social interactions remains uncertain. However, investor confidence in potential demand is on the rise.

WeRoad reported revenues of €130 million in 2025, marking a 30% increase year-on-year and serving over 100,000 travelers last year. Since its inception in 2017, the company has facilitated travel for more than 300,000 customers across over 1,000 itineraries worldwide.