A female-led Manchester-based tech business is seeking a 拢150,000 investment to scale its portfolio of niche dating platforms that serve underrepresented communities, including widows, widowers and sober individuals.听
Chapter 2 Dating was launched in 2022 by entrepreneur Nicky Wake who found herself disillusioned with mainstream dating apps after being widowed during the COVID-19 pandemic.听
This inspired her to launch the business, which was initially designed for widows and widowers seeking meaningful second-chapter relationships.
Since then, the company has grown into a profitable operator in the dating sector, with nearly 20,000 registered users across the UK, USA, Canada and Australia.听
This sparked the launch of WidowsFire.dating in June 2023 – a platform offering a safe and honest space for physical intimacy within the widowed community.听
In March 2025, inspired by Wake鈥檚 own sobriety journey, the company introduced SoberLove.app – a dating app dedicated to sober and sober-curious individuals seeking connection in a non-alcohol-centric environment.
She took to LinkedIn a few weeks after the launch to discuss her experience since quitting alcohol.
鈥淚鈥檓 145 days into my journey and I鈥檝e never felt healthier, more alive, more driven and for the first time in years, I feel like I鈥檓 truly ME again,鈥� wrote Wake.
鈥淔or anyone out there struggling, you don鈥檛 have to do it alone. Asking for help was the hardest step, but it was the best one I ever took.
鈥淲e all have our battles, and it鈥檚 okay to talk about them.鈥�
The investment round, based on a 拢3m valuation and approved under the UK鈥檚 Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS), offers investors 30% income tax relief and other tax advantages.
The business operates a freemium model, combining free access with paid subscriptions for enhanced features and it is looking to scale for 3-5 years before pursuing an acquisition.听
Current monthly recurring revenue is up 405% year-on-year, with the USA now accounting for 40% of total revenues.听
To date, the company has raised 拢250,000 from 14 investors across three successful funding rounds, including fellow founders and several users of the platforms themselves.
Wake, a well-known figure in the events and business community, previously built the 拢2.5m-turnover Don鈥檛 Panic Projects and is a TEDx speaker, media contributor, and sobriety advocate.