Airbnb leads $58m; US rollout from 2026
WeRoad has announced a $58 million Series C round (€50 million), taking its total funding to $100 million. The deal is led by Airbnb alongside existing investors, including H14, which headed the Series B. Founded in 2017, the scale-up is preparing its first expansion outside Europe and plans to launch its community-based adventure travel model and its social platform WeMeet in several US cities from 2026. The company says it has taken more than 300,000 travellers across 1,000-plus itineraries, including more than 100,000 in the past year.
The firm aims to replicate a model proven in Europe: recruiting local coordinators, forging on-the-ground partnerships and running event-led activations. WeMeet, launched in 2025, is a pillar of this approach. Open to everyone, it aggregates local social events — hikes, after-work meetups, dinners or sports classes, for example — and has already brought together more than 50,000 participants at 2,000 events in over 35 cities, with 150,000 app downloads in the last year. For the company, the issue is societal: studies estimate that around 30% of young adults report feelings of loneliness, a context that WeMeet and small-group trips aim to address through in-person, collective experiences at the heart of an "IRL economy".
"In a world increasingly shaped by AI and social media, real human connection is becoming rarer and more valuable," said Paolo De Nadai, the start-up’s founder. "At WeRoad, we have built our model around creating genuine bonds through shared travel. Today, people no longer just want to discover places; they want to belong to communities. Expansion into the United States is a key step we have been working towards for years, and the partnership with Airbnb validates the strength of our vision while opening major opportunities."
The involvement of a player such as Airbnb, which has already signalled its interest in the experiences market beyond accommodation, is no accident. The company is taking around a 10% stake and a board seat, strengthening strategic alignment. WeRoad is adjusting its governance accordingly: Andrea D’Amico, chief executive and a former Booking.com executive, is moving to San Francisco to lead the hotels business at Airbnb while remaining on WeRoad’s board. The founder, De Nadai, retains operational leadership alongside Fabio Bin (CMO) and Erika De Santi (chief of experience). The leadership team is being bolstered with new international profiles.
The timetable foresees a gradual ramp-up from 2026, city by city, guided by market signals identified through campaigns and partnerships, starting in Austin, Texas. This first footprint outside Europe underscores WeRoad’s international ambition, supported by more than 4,000 coordinators and a broad network of diversified itineraries.
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