WeRoad, a Milan-based group travel startup, has secured $58 million in funding led by Airbnb for its U.S. expansion, starting with Austin.

This investment hints at an industry shift towards social platforms that facilitate genuine connections over traditional booking services. WeRoad is positioning itself as part of the growing ‘IRL economy,’ focusing on offline interaction and community-based experiences.

The founders were inspired by their own struggles to find compatible travel partners after college, leading them to redesign group trips around shared interests and age groups. Each trip typically runs for 10-12 days with an emphasis on breaking the ice through social activities early in the itinerary.

Instead of traditional tour guides, WeRoad employs ‘group leaders,’ coordinators who act more like travel companions. The company now works with over 4,000 group leaders globally and has expanded beyond just travel to local gatherings via its WeMeet app, which reached 150,000 downloads in 2025.

WeRoad’s ambitious growth plan includes launching WeMeet events across U.S. cities starting with Austin, reflecting a belief that the demand for genuine human connection is real and scalable.