WeRoad, an Italian startup that organizes unique group travel experiences, recently raised $58 million in a Series C funding round and has its sights set on expanding to the U.S. market. Since its founding, over 300,000 people have traveled to destinations around the world using WeRoad.

The company was co-founded in 2017 by three Italian entrepreneurs: Paolo De Nadai, Fabio Bin, and Erika De Santi. The idea behind the company stemmed from their own personal experiences. After graduating from college and entering the workforce, they found it increasingly hard to organize group trips with friends. Many friends were having kids, moving to other cities, or juggling busy schedules. The co-founders experimented with different group travel companies catering to solo travelers but found themselves dissatisfied with existing options. They felt a lack of connection with the groups they were assigned to travel with and noticed other missing factors.

Based in Milan, Italy, WeRoad has gained traction for its community-based approach. In recent years, a loneliness epidemic has emerged among Millennials and Gen Z. Many younger people are actively seeking out greater human connection.

“In a world increasingly shaped by AI and social media, genuine human connection is becoming both rarer and more valuable,” stated co-founder Paolo De Nadai. “At WeRoad, we’ve built our entire product around enabling real-world connections through shared travel experiences. People today are not just looking to visit new places, they’re looking to belong.”

WeRoad aims to plan authentic travel itineraries and foster group bonds. Around 90% of people that have traveled with WeRoad are solo travelers. The company maintains relationships with a network of travel coordinators. The travel coordinators are supposed to feel more like travel companions, helping strangers connect, than traditional tour guides. To enhance compatibility, groups are matched based on similar age ranges and travel “moods” (i.e., whether people are looking for an adventure, relaxation, cultural immersion, etc.). Before each trip begins, the travelers are added to a WhatsApp group so that they can begin getting to know each other.

The business model is asset light. WeRoad does not own any hotels or modes of transportation. Instead, it focuses on coordinating travel logistics and fostering social cohesion.