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Rohan Verma and Shubhangi Pandey - Co-founders At JustWravel
Great businesses often stem from a simple idea—a problem waiting to be solved. JustWravel, a fast-growing travel startup, embodies this principle.
Launched in 2016 by Rohan Verma and Shubhangi Pandey, childhood friends turned co-founders, JustWravel has redefined group travel in India.
The duo began their entrepreneurial journey with a modest ₹6 lakh investment.
Today, their startup generates over ₹12 crores in annual revenue and has created a thriving social travel community, serving more than 50,000 travellers across 50+ destinations.
Yet success didn’t come overnight. Their story is one of grit, determination, and innovation.
CHILDHOOD BONDS AND SHARED AMBITIONS:
Rohan and Shubhangi’s story goes back to their school days in Lucknow.
Born into middle-class families, they attended the same school during grades 11 & 12, shared a love for travel, and bonded over a shared dream of doing something impactful for the youth of India.
After school, life took them on different paths. Rohan pursued a degree in engineering followed by an MBA at IMT Ghaziabad, while simultaneously co-founding a backpacking campsite business in Rishikesh.
Meanwhile, Shubhangi completed her engineering and earned an MBA in HR from the prestigious Welingkar Institute of Management.
Despite their separate journeys, they remained close friends. Conversations often revolved around Rohan’s experiences in the tourism industry, where he observed significant gaps in the market.
“There was a lack of affordable and safe travel options for young Indians, especially women and group travellers,” Rohan explains.
This realisation sowed the seeds of JustWravel.
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THE BIRTH & EARLY JOURNEY OF JUSTWRAVEL:
In 2016, Rohan pitched the idea of a travel platform focused on budget-friendly fixed-departure tours to Shubhangi.
He envisioned a solution that would simplify travel for adventurers while building a community of like-minded individuals.
Shubhangi, equally passionate about travel, saw the potential in Rohan’s vision. The duo pooled their savings, quit their stable corporate jobs, and leaped into entrepreneurship. They registered JustWravel in December 2016.
The early days were anything but smooth. With no external funding and full-time employees, the co-founders had to manage everything themselves—from marketing to sales and operations.
“Even though we started from a small co-working space, our dreams were big from the beginning,” Shubhangi Pandey, the co-founder of JustWravel, recalls during an exclusive interview with Startup Pedia.
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Their first few trips saw limited participation. Convincing people to trust a new entrant in the Indian startup ecosystem and in the crowded travel & tourism industry was a daunting challenge.
“We knew that if we delivered outstanding travel experiences for our customers, the power of word-of-mouth would work in our favour,” Rohan Verma, the CEO & co-founder of JustWravel, says to Startup Pedia.
Since the beginning, JustWravel focused on creating an exceptional travel experience. They started with fixed-departure trips, enabling solo travellers to join pre-scheduled group tours.
These trips were curated to ensure affordability, safety, and unique experiences, catering primarily to young corporate professionals, millennials, and Gen Z.
Initially, despite falling short of expected enrollment for some trips, they remained committed to their clients and proceeded as planned, even if it meant operating at a financial loss.
By 2017, they had served over 1,000 travellers, generating ₹40 lakhs in revenue. Their unique selling point? A sense of community.
As for many first-time travellers, joining a group trip can be intimidating, JustWravel sought to eliminate these barriers by fostering a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere.
Before every trip, they created WhatsApp groups where participants could connect, share their excitement, and even discuss preferences and expectations. This small but significant initiative helped break the ice even before the journey began.
“We want to ensure people feel like they are part of something bigger than just a trip. From the very beginning, for us travel isn’t limited to visiting new places—it’s about forging connections, creating memories, and building a sense of community. These ethos have become the cornerstone of JustWravel’s brand identity,” Shubhangi proudly explains.
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FROM BACKPACKS TO BUSINESS:
JustWravel’s unique approach soon caught attention. Their tours were designed to foster connections among travellers, many of whom became repeat customers.
Their pricing also struck a chord. Domestic trips start as low as ₹6,500, while international packages begin at ₹32,000. This affordability made JustWravel the go-to option for young professionals looking for adventure without breaking the bank.
When the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 brought the travel industry to a grinding halt, it was a moment of reckoning for JustWravel.
“We lost almost all our revenue and customers overnight when the COVID-19 pandemic hit,” Rohan recounts that uncertain period.
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Instead of shutting down, they pivoted. They introduced long-duration stays for remote workers and focused on strengthening their tech infrastructure.
They also kept engaging with their community through virtual channels and helped them plan for future trips.
By 2021, as travel started resuming, JustWravel was ready to bounce back stronger. The pandemic tested their resilience and proved their ability to adapt.
RECOGNITION AND EXPANDING HORIZONS:
JustWravel’s journey of becoming a trusted name among travel enthusiasts has been punctuated with several accolades.
Last year it was incubated at IIM Bangalore’s NSRCEL and this year it won the “Best Adventure Tour Operator Award” from the Economic Times.
JustWravel’s recent entry into corporate travel has already attracted clients like the Shiv Nadar Foundation and Jawa & Yezdi Bikes.
Its annual revenue grew from ₹40 lakhs in 2017 to ₹12 crores in 2024. Today, it is on track to achieve ₹28 crores by the end of the current financial year.
The founders have ambitious plans for the future.
By 2025, they aim to expand their destination portfolio from 50 to 150, integrate AI for customised travel planning, and scale their B2B partnerships with corporates.
“The corporate travel space is still untapped, and we see significant potential there,” Shubhangi shares.
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The Indian travel and tourism industry is expected to reach $125 billion by 2027, and JustWravel is well-positioned to ride this wave.
With a loyal community of 50,000+ satisfied travellers, a robust business model, and a strong vision for expansion, the bootstrapped startup is set to redefine the way India travels.
“Our ultimate dream is to make JustWravel the biggest social travel community in the world. To make this possible, we’re open to funding opportunities. We would like to align with people who share our vision and passion for redefining travel for Indians,” Rohan announces with a shine in his eyes.
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JUSTWRAVEL’S JOURNEY IN A NUTSHELL:
The story of JustWravel is more than just a startup success tale—it’s a testament to the power of perseverance, innovation, and friendship.
From childhood bonds in Lucknow to building a ₹12 crore business, Rohan Verma and Shubhangi Pandey have shown what’s possible when shared passion meets purpose.
For travellers seeking adventure, community, and affordability, JustWravel isn’t just a travel company—it’s a movement. And for its founders, the journey is far from over.
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Key Features of JustWravel:-
Fixed-Departure Group Tours: Pre-scheduled tours to popular domestic and international destinations like Baku, Bali, Ladakh, Spiti Valley, Meghalaya, and more, ensuring convenience and affordability.
Personalised Experiences: Every trip includes a WhatsApp group for seamless communication and a dedicated trip captain, making travellers feel supported.
Diverse Destinations: Over 50 domestic and international destinations, including Bhutan, Middle-East, and Southeast Asia.
Focus on Safety: Special emphasis on safety for female travellers & 24x7 on-call support.
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