Wayla: Italy’s First Urban Van-Pooling Startup Driving Smarter City Nights

Wayla is an Italian mobility startup reshaping urban transportation. Founded in 2023 by Carlo Bettini, Mario Ferretti, and Alessandro Villa, the company launched Italy’s first app-based urban van-pooling service , starting in Milan. The idea was born from a simple observation: late-night transport in Italian cities is unreliable and expensive. Wayla’s app lets users book and share rides on dynamically routed vans, offering an affordable, safe, and sustainable alternative to taxis.

In less than a year, the app gained over 60,000 downloads , operating Thursdays to Sundays across Milan, Monza, and Brianza. Its business model is primarily B2C , with fares calculated per passenger and paid digitally, though a B2B expansion for corporate and event mobility is underway.

Backed by investors such as MobilityUP , Moffu Labs , and Sullivan Street Partners , Wayla raised over €1.6 million , including a €1 million equity crowdfunding campaign on Mamacrowd in September 2025. The funds will fuel expansion to new cities, extend service hours, and grow a fleet of eco-friendly vehicles.

By combining smart routing technology with Italy’s community-minded culture, Wayla positions itself as a bridge between public and private transport—pioneering a new category of shared mobility in Europe.