About Fellow Traveler
India first group-travel + expense-splitting platform. We connect verified strangers into trip companions, with built-in tools to split expenses, plan itineraries, and travel safely.
Our story
It started with a 3-day solo trip to Goa in 2024 that fell apart because the friend who promised to come bailed last-minute. The founder, Bheem Sain, ended up cancelling — and realized something obvious: solo travelers in India have nowhere trustworthy to find a group, and groups have no way to settle ₹40,000 of trip expenses without 47 awkward UPI messages.
Existing options were dating-app-first, hostel-flyer-driven, or required juggling 4 different apps (Splitwise + WhatsApp + Google Sheets + Razorpay). So we built one app that does the whole journey — verified group trips, Splitwise-style expense splitting, direct UPI settlements, security deposits in escrow, and collaborative itinerary voting.
One year later: 50,000+ verified members, 3,200+ completed trips, an average rating of 4.7 stars, and a Series A from Matrix Partners to keep building.
Our mission
To make every journey more affordable, social, and safe by connecting like-minded travelers across India. Every solo traveler deserves a fellow traveler. Every group trip should be free of money headaches.
Our values
Trust first
Aadhaar verification, phone OTP, escrow deposits, dispute resolution. Trust is the product.
Fair money
Zero gateway fees on member-to-member payments. Direct UPI. We earn only when you do.
India-first
Built for UPI, Hindi-friendly, INR pricing, WhatsApp-integrated, Indian-passport friendly.
Real connections
Not a dating app. Not a tour-booking site. A platform where strangers become lifelong friends.
Inclusive groups
Female-only, mixed, couples, families, LGBTQ+ — pick the group that feels right for you.
Slow + sustainable
Group travel = fewer cars + shared rooms = lower carbon. We promote slow, deeper travel.
The journey so far
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Jan 2024The cancelled Goa trip
Bheem Sain cancels a solo Goa trip after his friend bails. Spends the weekend writing the first prototype in a coffee shop in Bandra.
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Aug 2025Public launch
Fellow Traveler goes live with 1,200 verified members and 47 group trips across 12 Indian states.
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Oct 2025Razorpay partnership
Instant UPI withdrawals launch. Members can withdraw earnings to UPI in 30 seconds.
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Dec 2025Security deposit escrow
Industry-first feature: organizers can require escrow-held security deposits. Reduces no-shows by 78%.
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Feb 20265-tier referral program
Launch 40/20/10/8/5% multi-level commission on paid members — for 12 months from each first payment.
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Apr 2026Series A · ₹40 Cr
Series A led by Matrix Partners, with participation from 3one4 Capital and angels from MakeMyTrip and Razorpay.
The people behind it
Ex-AlgoPoint AI. Solo backpacked across 18 Indian states. Built v1 in his bedroom.
Built fraud-detection systems at Razorpay. Obsesses over verification flows.
10 years building consumer apps. Travels solo every quarter to feel the product.
Designed for Swiggy, Cred. Believes interfaces should feel like a good travel companion.
Scaled CRED's referral engine. Hosts a weekly travel podcast on the side.
Has personally welcomed every one of our first 5,000 members.
We're hiring — see open roles →
Backed by
In the press
- The Ken — "The most thoughtful trust system in the Indian travel space."
- YourStory — "Could become the Splitwise + Airbnb hybrid India never had."
- Inc42 — "₹40 Cr Series A signals investor confidence in the social-travel category."
- Mint — "Multi-level referral program is the most generous in Indian travel-tech."
Want to talk?
Partnerships, press, careers, or just curious. We reply within 2 hours.