Wayla, a Milan-based mobility startup and Italy’s first urban van pooling service, has smashed through its €1 million crowdfunding goal on Mamacrowd in less than 30 hours after going public.
Backers include travel company Carrani Tours, known for over a century of experience in tourism, which lends further credibility to Wayla’s growth trajectory. The fresh capital injection will power fleet expansion, fuel further technology development, and bolster its B2B offerings for companies and event organisers.
“This is just the beginning of an ambitious journey,” says Carlo Bettini, CEO & Co-Founder of Wayla. “It means that hundreds of people believe in our mission and have decided to come on board to transform the way we move around cities together.” (Translated)
Founded in 2024, Wayla first went live in Milan and then extended its operations to Monza and Brianza in June 2025. The service targets evening and night-time transport gaps with a shared van model that looks to cut costs and reduces emissions.
The founding team at Wayla brings together a diverse and complementary set of skills across engineering, law, mobility, technology, politics, and marketing. United by a shared vision for transforming urban transport, they combine entrepreneurial drive with expertise in navigating complex systems, developing scalable business models, and shaping regulatory-compliant innovation. Their backgrounds span international education, legal practice, startup growth, and transport strategy.
Since launch, Wayla has achieved more than 60,000 app downloads and is emerging as a viable alternative to traditional mobility options.
The platform is designed for simplicity and transparency: users book shared trips via an app that clearly communicates cost and travel time in advance. The service currently runs from Wednesday to Sunday evenings in Milan, and on Fridays and Saturdays in Monza and Brianza. It operates during hours when public transport is often less accessible, positioning itself as a safe, ecological, and cost-effective option for residents and tourists alike.
“We are incredibly proud of this achievement,” adds Mario Ferretti, Co-founder of Wayla. “The response from the community shows that there is a strong need for smarter and more inclusive mobility solutions in Italy. We are now ready to accelerate the expansion of Wayla’s service and reach more and more people.” (Translated)
Currently siting at €1.12 million on Mamacrowd, the raised funds will support the acquisition of additional sustainable vehicles, national expansion into other Italian cities, and the continued development of Wayla’s proprietary tech platform.
Enhancements to the company’s B2B segment – such as tailored van pooling services for corporate clients and event logistics – are also part of the roadmap.