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Airbnb-backed WeRoad raises $58M to take its group travel platform to the US. 3 3 minutes read 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 new investment reflects a bet that the next generation of travel companies may look less like booking platforms and more like social platforms designed to facilitate real-world connections. The U.S. launch also arrives as loneliness, particularly among younger consumers, has become both a public health concern and an emerging business opportunity. When much of the tech industry remains focused on AI, WeRoad is positioning itself as part of the growing "IRL economy," a category of startups monetizing offline interaction rather than screen time. Companies like Timeleft, 222, and Pie are pursuing similar ideas through dinners, clubs, events, and community-based experiences. The idea behind WeRoad came from the founders - Paolo De Nadai, Fabio Bin, and Erika De Santi - 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 Nadai told TechCrunch. "My cofounder Fabio and I both tried companies offering similar group travel experiences for solo travellers, but while the trips were good, something was missing. The guides were professional local experts, and the groups were mixed in age, and people didn't really see eye to eye. People were traveling together, but not really connecting." The founders' response was to redesign group travel around shared interests. WeRoad trips are primarily designed for younger travelers and grouped around shared interests and travel styles. Customers can book trips through the platform based on themes such as beach vacations or skiing. "We asked ourselves, 'What if we created trips for Millennials and Gen Z travellers, bringing together people from the same age groups with shared cultural references but completely different backgrounds, and focused on creating real bonds between them?'" De Nadai added. Before each trip begins, travelers are added to a WhatsApp group managed by the group leader so members can begin getting to know one another ahead of time. Groups typically include between eight and fifteen travelers. "The biggest concern people have is rarely the destination," De Nadai said, but usually concerns that they won't connect with the group. To address that, WeRoad intentionally structures itineraries around social dynamics. More adventurous or collaborative activities are often scheduled early in the trip to help break the ice. Most itineraries last between 10 and 12 days, though the company has also introduced shorter weekend formats aimed at first-time customers. According to WeRoad, roughly 60% of travelers eventually book another trip. Additionally, instead of traditional tour guides, WeRoad has "group leaders," coordinators closer in age to travelers who act more like travel companions. The company now works with more than 4,000 group leaders globally. "We're not looking for destination experts, but for people with travel experience and strong soft skills. Can they lead a group, handle tension, adapt when plans change, and help strangers connect?" De Nadai said. WeRoad has also begun expanding beyond travel itself. In 2025, the company launched WeMeet, an app focused on local in-person gatherings, including dinners, hikes, yoga classes, running groups, after-work drinks, and board game nights. WeRoad says more than 50,000 people attended WeMeet events across 35 cities last year, while the app reached 150,000 downloads. The company says WeMeet will also play a central role in its U.S. expansion strategy. Rather than immediately scaling nationwide, WeRoad plans to focus on a small number of cities first, beginning with Austin, where it will recruit group leaders, organize local events, and build community partnerships before expanding further. "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 Nadai said. Whether companies can build lasting businesses around loneliness and social connection remains an open question. But investors are increasingly betting that the demand is real. WeRoad says it generated €130 million in revenue in 2025, up 30% year over year, while taking more than 100,000 travelers on trips last year alone. Since launching in 2017, the company says it has organized travel for more than 300,000 customers across over 1,000 itineraries globally. When you purchase through links in its articles, Real Hacker may earn a small commission. This doesn't affect its editorial independence.

Uber has raised its revenue gap over Airbnb from $11.4 billion to nearly $40 billion in four years, according to recent quarterly results. Uber generated $52 billion in annual revenue for 2025, whilst Airbnb reported $12.3 billion. Uber, which connects consumers with ridesharing, delivery services and freight matching, recently deployed robotaxis in Dubai and reported a 2% net income margin for the quarter ended 31 December 2025. Airbnb, operating a global accommodation marketplace, recorded a 12% net income margin for the same period. Despite lower revenues, Airbnb trades at higher valuations, with a price-to-sales ratio of 6.6x versus Uber's 2.9x, and a price-to-earnings ratio of 32.3x compared to Uber's 15.3x.

Airbnb tool shows Seattle homeowners how much they could earn during World Cup. Published April 10, 2026 4:38pm PDT One year from today, the U.S. Men's National Team will play a 2026 FIFA World Cup match at Lumen Field in Seattle. With an estimated 750,000 visitors expected for the tournament, Western Washington homeowners are now considering becoming Airbnb hosts to accommodate the demand. The brief. * * Airbnb has launched a tool estimating how much Seattle residents can earn by renting out homes during the 2026 World Cup. * Seattle will host six matches at Lumen Field, with demand for stays already rising sharply. * Hosts in Seattle must have city permits to legally rent out their homes, or risk fines. SEATTLE - With the World Cup just around the corner in Seattle, Airbnb has launched a new tool showing how much Seattleites could earn by renting out their homes for the global tournament. What To Know: Seattle is hosting six World Cup matches at Lumen Field between June 15 and July 6, with the event expected to draw millions of visitors. Whether you're a soccer fanatic who already secured tickets, or if you want to get out of town to avoid all the tourists, if you live in the Seattle area, you can make a pretty penny to rent out your home. Airbnb's Host Earnings Calculator gives individualized estimates for World Cup bookings in Seattle based on location, availability and type of listing. Users can adjust how many days they plan to host and see how many matches fall within the timeframe. Host Earnings Calculator Airbnb calculates rental costs in Seattle during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. By the numbers: According to the website, some Seattle homes could make up to $11,000 during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, though exact earnings across the city vary. Airbnb says demand is already rising, with searches for stays in host cities up 80% during the tournament. The company is also offering $750 to new hosts who welcome their first guests by July 31. Seattle residents must have a business license certificate and short-term regulatory license from the city to legally host, or risk fines. The annual permit costs about $75 per unit. You can check out the World Cup Host Earning Calculator on Airbnb's website.