When Álvaro Silberstein rolled through the rugged trails of Patagonia in a wheelchair, few could imagine the ripple effect his journey would unleash. What began as a personal challenge quickly evolved into Wheel the World, a travel-tech startup that is now transforming how over 500 million people with disabilities experience the world.
Despite facing a public rejection on Shark Tank México, the company has surged ahead, achieving $24 million in revenue, expanding into more than 20 countries, and earning praise as a pioneer in inclusive tourism. This is the powerful story of how a trek in the wild inspired a global movement, building a tech company that is changing lives across the planet.
One Trek That Changed Everything
At just 18 years old, Álvaro Silberstein’s life changed forever after a tragic car accident left him with C5 quadriplegia. With no motor function from the chest down and limited arm movement, his future suddenly looked vastly different. But Álvaro was determined not to let his disability define his dreams, especially his passion for travel and nature.
Fast-forward to 2016. Álvaro set his sights on a goal many would consider impossible: hiking Torres del Paine, the remote and rugged national park in southern Chilean Patagonia. This wasn’t just a vacation. It was a logistical challenge of epic proportions. The region is known for steep trails, rocky terrain, and almost no accessibility for people with mobility impairments.
With the help of friends, crowdfunding, and a specialized all-terrain wheelchair known as the Joëlette, Álvaro completed the multi-day hike. The story gained media traction, especially in Latin America, and quickly spread online. People were not only inspired by his accomplishment but also began questioning why such experiences weren’t more widely accessible.
That hike planted a seed. If one of the world’s toughest trails could be made inclusive, why couldn’t the rest of the tourism industry follow suit? That question became the foundation for Wheel the World.
What Is Wheel the World?
Founded in 2018 by Álvaro Silberstein and his close friend Camilo Navarro, Wheel the World is a mission-driven startup that reimagines travel through the lens of accessibility. Unlike traditional travel platforms that focus solely on price, location, or ratings, Wheel the World centers its platform around accessibility data. This empowers people with disabilities to confidently plan trips without unpleasant surprises.
The company offers curated accessible travel experiences across major destinations worldwide. These include:
- Accommodations with guaranteed features like roll-in showers, elevators, step-free entrances, and wide doorways
- Transportation services tailored to wheelchair users or those with limited mobility, including accessible vans and airport pickups
- Adaptive activities and tours such as scuba diving for people with disabilities, zip-lining with body harnesses, or accessible kayaking
- Specialized equipment rentals like beach wheelchairs, electric mobility scooters, hoists, and hearing aid-compatible devices
What truly sets Wheel the World apart is its technology-first approach. Instead of using vague or misleading labels such as “accessible,” their platform breaks down over 200 specific data points per property or tour. This ensures travelers know exactly what to expect. Whether it’s the height of a bed or the number of steps at the entrance, every detail is documented.
In short, Wheel the World bridges the gap between desire and possibility for travelers who were previously left behind by the mainstream tourism industry.
Their Shark Tank México Pitch and the Rejection
In 2021, Álvaro and Camilo appeared on Shark Tank México, one of the region’s most-watched business reality shows. The duo presented a passionate pitch that highlighted Álvaro’s personal journey, the growing global demand for inclusive tourism, and the scalable business model behind their startup.
The sharks were visibly moved. The story was compelling. The market need was undeniable. But when it came time to invest, the sharks hesitated.
Their primary concerns were that accessibility tourism seemed too niche, and some questioned the company’s ability to scale rapidly while maintaining personalized service. In the end, no deal was made.
Instead of being a setback, this rejection became a turning point.
The episode aired to millions of viewers and generated a surge of public interest. Thousands of people, including travelers with disabilities, families, and caregivers, reached out in support. The company’s website traffic spiked. The segment went viral on social media, drawing attention not just to the brand but to the global gap in accessible travel.
Although the sharks passed, the audience embraced the vision. That made all the difference.
From No Deal to Global Growth
After the Shark Tank episode, Álvaro and Camilo didn’t slow down. Instead, they doubled their efforts. The duo joined Berkeley SkyDeck, a prestigious accelerator program in the United States that supports high-growth startups with mentorship and investor connections.
In 2022, they raised venture capital from impact-driven investors such as Kayak Ventures, Booking.com’s startup program, and several angel investors including Susan Wojcicki, the former CEO of YouTube. These funds allowed them to expand their team, enhance their tech infrastructure, and scale internationally.
Today, Wheel the World operates in over 250 destinations worldwide. These include tourist hotspots like Cancún, Costa Rica, Paris, Barcelona, Tokyo, and New York City. The platform now supports multiple languages and caters to different types of accessibility needs. These range from wheelchair users and blind travelers to neurodiverse individuals.
They have also launched community-based initiatives, partnering with local travel providers to improve accessibility standards and train staff to better serve people with disabilities.
In just a few years, Wheel the World has gone from a small Chilean startup to a global leader in inclusive travel without relying on a Shark Tank deal.
The Secret Sauce: Tech and Trust
What truly differentiates Wheel the World is not just its mission but the technology and user experience that bring that mission to life.
Each hotel, activity, or transport provider listed on the platform is reviewed based on real-world data collection. Their team visits properties and uses tools such as LiDAR scanning, augmented measuring apps, and user feedback loops to collect and verify accessibility details.
Users can create personal accessibility profiles, indicating preferences like bed height, need for assistance animals, communication needs, or sensory sensitivities. The platform then matches them with experiences that precisely meet those requirements, removing the uncertainty that typically accompanies travel planning for people with disabilities.
This data-driven approach builds trust and reliability. Travelers can finally book with peace of mind, knowing they won’t be stuck at an inaccessible hotel or denied access to an activity.
In many ways, Wheel the World is doing for accessible travel what platforms like Airbnb did for local stays by using technology to empower a new kind of traveler.
$24M in Revenue and Counting
By 2025, Wheel the World had surpassed $24 million in gross bookings, a remarkable milestone for a company once dismissed as niche. The company earns a commission on each reservation made through its platform, including hotel stays, activities, and equipment rentals.
Its scalable revenue model mirrors that of major online travel agencies (OTAs), but with a mission-aligned twist. A portion of profits is reinvested into training local operators, developing better accessibility tools, and expanding destination coverage.
In addition to consumer bookings, the company is beginning to partner with government tourism boards, corporate travel departments, and nonprofits to provide accessibility insights and infrastructure recommendations.
The result is that Wheel the World isn’t just growing; it is leading a systemic shift in the travel industry.
Who’s Benefiting? Real People, Real Impact
The platform serves a diverse range of travelers:
- People who use wheelchairs due to paralysis, MS, or injury
- Seniors with limited mobility or chronic conditions such as arthritis
- Families with children who have autism or sensory sensitivities
- Veterans with physical or cognitive disabilities
- Visually impaired travelers and their companions
For many of these individuals, travel used to feel impossible or too risky. But thanks to Wheel the World, their world is expanding. Parents are taking their kids to the beach for the first time. Couples are enjoying honeymoons without stress. Solo adventurers are diving, hiking, and exploring again.
As one reviewer put it, “It’s not just a travel platform. It’s freedom.”
Still More to Do: The Road Ahead
Despite its success, Álvaro and his team are acutely aware that most of the world remains inaccessible. Many hotels still lack basic features such as elevators or step-free entrances. Airlines continue to struggle with accommodating wheelchairs and other mobility devices. Public spaces, especially in developing countries, often ignore the needs of people with disabilities.
Wheel the World’s next phase is ambitious. Their roadmap includes:
- Expanding to 1,000 verified accessible destinations by 2027
- Creating partnerships with national tourism boards to implement accessibility certification programs
- Building smart planning tools that automatically flag incompatible options based on a traveler’s profile
- Launching a business-to-business solution for hotels to improve accessibility standards and receive more bookings
For them, accessible travel isn’t a feature. It is a human right, and they are not stopping until the world gets there.
The Future of Travel Is Inclusive
Wheel the World isn’t just another travel startup. It’s a vision of what happens when empathy meets innovation. It’s about rewriting the rules of who gets to explore, experience, and enjoy the planet. And most importantly, it’s a reminder that accessibility isn’t just a checkbox — it’s a gateway to freedom.
Whether you’re a traveler, policymaker, or tourism operator, this story is your invitation to build a world where adventure belongs to everyone.
TL;DR (Too Long; Didn’t Read)
Wheel the World turned a Shark Tank rejection into a $24M travel-tech success story, creating a global platform that makes tourism accessible for people with disabilities in over 250 destinations worldwide.
FAQs
Is Wheel the World still in business in 2025?
Yes, Wheel the World is actively operating and expanding in 2025. The company now serves over 250 destinations globally with inclusive travel options.
What happened to Wheel the World after Shark Tank México?
Although they didn’t receive funding from the sharks, Wheel the World gained exposure and later raised millions through external investors like Booking.com and Kayak Ventures.
How much is Wheel the World worth in 2025?
As of 2025, Wheel the World has generated over $24 million in revenue and continues to grow, though its exact valuation has not been publicly disclosed.
Who are the founders of Wheel the World?
Wheel the World was co-founded by Álvaro Silberstein and Camilo Navarro, two longtime friends from Chile who wanted to make travel fully accessible for people with disabilities.
How does Wheel the World make travel accessible?
The company gathers over 200 data points per location—including doorway widths, bed heights, and wheelchair accessibility—to ensure travelers with disabilities get accurate, personalized recommendations.
Where can I book a trip with Wheel the World?
You can book accessible accommodations, tours, and transportation directly through their official website: wheeltheworld.com.
Did Wheel the World raise funding?
Yes, the startup raised over $6 million in seed and Series A funding, with major backing from Booking.com’s accelerator, SkyDeck, Kayak Ventures, and even former YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki.