Chapter 2 Dating Eyes Growth with New Funding Round

Manchester-based dating-tech venture Chapter 2 Dating Ltd is entering a new £150,000 investment round, aiming to scale its trio of niche-focused apps. Founded by entrepreneur Nicky Wake, the company holds a £3 million valuation and is raising via the UK’s Enterprise Investment Scheme, offering investors income tax relief and other benefits.

The venture’s flagship app, Chapter2Dating.app, launched in 2022 to meet the needs of widows and widowers seeking companionship after loss. Its sister platforms are WidowsFire.dating, introduced in June 2023 to facilitate casual intimacy-focused connections within the widowed community, and SoberLove.app, which launched this spring to serve the sober or sober-focused dating audience.

The business has grown to nearly 20,000 users across the UK, US, Canada, and Australia and currently generates recurring revenue through a freemium model with strong conversion and retention metrics. The company reports conversion rates three to four times above industry averages, average paid user retention exceeding three months, and a 27% increase in monthly active users last quarter. May 2025 was its highest revenue month to date, with U.S. users now contributing 40% of revenue.

To date, Chapter 2 Dating has raised £250,000 from 14 investors across three rounds. The current raise aims to enhance platform technology, expand marketing efforts, and support community events, particularly in the U.S. and UK.

Wake, a seasoned entrepreneur and sobriety advocate, has received notable media coverage and previously led Don’t Panic Projects, a £2.5 million-turnover events firm. The company’s long-term plan includes scaling for several years ahead of a potential acquisition.