Airbnb-backed WeRoad raises $58M to take its group travel platform to the US
Source: TechCrunch
WeRoad, the Milan‑based group travel startup, has raised a $58 million Series C round led by Airbnb as it prepares for its first major expansion outside Europe. The funding brings the company’s total capital raised to roughly $100 million and will finance WeRoad’s push into the U.S., beginning with Austin.
The investment thesis
The round reflects a bet that the next generation of travel companies may look less like traditional booking platforms and more like social platforms designed to facilitate real‑world connections. As loneliness—especially among younger consumers—becomes both a public‑health concern and a business opportunity, WeRoad positions itself within the growing “IRL economy,” a category of startups monetizing offline interaction rather than screen time. Comparable ventures include Timeleft, 222, and Pie, which pursue dinners, clubs, events, and community‑based experiences.
Company background
The idea behind WeRoad came from founders Paolo De Nadi, Fabio Bin, and Erika De Santi, who were seeking connection themselves.
“It started from a very personal need. When you finish college and start working, it becomes harder to find people to travel with. Friends were settling down, having kids, moving away, or simply couldn’t align schedules anymore,” De Nadi told TechCrunch. “My co‑founder Fabio and I both tried companies offering similar group travel experiences for solo travellers, but while the trips were good, something was missing… People were traveling together, but not really connecting.”
Image credit: WeRoad
Product design
Group travel around shared interests
WeRoad redesigns group travel by grouping younger travelers (Millennials and Gen Z) around shared interests and travel styles. Customers can book trips based on themes such as beach vacations or skiing. Before each trip, travelers join a WhatsApp group managed by the group leader to start getting to know one another. Groups typically include 8–15 travelers.
“The biggest concern people have is rarely the destination,” De Nadi said, “but usually concerns that they won’t connect with the group.” To address this, itineraries are intentionally structured around social dynamics, with more adventurous or collaborative activities scheduled early in the trip to break the ice.
Most itineraries last 10–12 days, though shorter weekend formats have been introduced for first‑time customers. Roughly 60 % of travelers eventually book another trip.
Group leaders
Instead of traditional tour guides, WeRoad employs “group leaders”—coordinators closer in age to travelers who act more like travel companions. The company works with over 4,000 group leaders globally and looks for people with travel experience and strong soft skills rather than destination expertise.
Image credit: Screenshot from App Store
WeMeet: expanding beyond travel
In 2025, WeRoad launched WeMeet, an app focused on local in‑person gatherings (dinners, hikes, yoga classes, running groups, after‑work drinks, board‑game nights). The app recorded more than 50 000 attendees across 35 cities in the previous year and reached 150 000 downloads.
U.S. expansion strategy
WeRoad plans to focus on a small number of U.S. cities first, beginning with Austin. The strategy includes:
- Recruiting group leaders locally.
- Organizing WeMeet events to build community partnerships.
- Gradually scaling to additional cities throughout 2026.
“We’ll be launching WeMeet events across multiple U.S. cities throughout 2026, starting with Austin because of its incredible energy and vibrant community scene,” De Nadi said.
Financial performance
- Revenue (2025): €130 million, up 30 % YoY.
- Travelers (2025): Over 100 000 trips booked.
- Total customers (since 2017): More than 300 000 across 1 000+ itineraries globally.
Source: TechCrunch