A female-led Manchester-based tech business is seeking a £150,000 investment to scale its portfolio of niche dating platforms that serve underrepresented communities, including widows, widowers and sober individuals.
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.
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.
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.
In March 2025, inspired by Wake’s 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.
“I’m 145 days into my journey and I’ve never felt healthier, more alive, more driven and for the first time in years, I feel like I’m truly ME again,” wrote Wake.
“For anyone out there struggling, you don’t have to do it alone. Asking for help was the hardest step, but it was the best one I ever took.
“We all have our battles, and it’s okay to talk about them.”
The investment round, based on a £3m valuation and approved under the UK’s 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.
Current monthly recurring revenue is up 405% year-on-year, with the USA now accounting for 40% of total revenues.
To date, the company has raised £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 £2.5m-turnover Don’t Panic Projects and is a TEDx speaker, media contributor, and sobriety advocate.