Dating Entrepreneur Nicky Wake Opens Dating App Incubator

Dating industry entrepeneur Nicky Wake, best known for founding the niche dating brands Soberlove, Chapter 2 Dating, and Widows Fire, has launched the incubator following her acquisition of the white-label platform M14 Industries. The platform – previously used to power Wake’s own ventures – will now serve as the technical foundation for new app projects developed through the programme, known as Chapter 2 Ventures.

The initiative offers what Wake describes as a “fast-track route” to bringing a dating app to life, guiding participants through concept development, audience targeting, funding, app design, and go-to-market strategy. Each founder will retain full ownership of their brand, while gaining access to ongoing consultancy and technical support.

“This is a simple, cost-effective solution for budding entrepreneurs or community leaders who want to monetise their audiences,” Wake said. “Instead of starting from scratch with a developer, they gain access to a tried-and-tested model plus the benefit of my lived experience in building three successful dating tech start-ups.”

Wake argues that the future of the dating industry lies not in competing with major players such as Bumble or Hinge, but in serving niche audiences seeking meaningful, interest-based connections. “Unlike generic accelerators, this is dating-industry specific,” she explained. “Launching a dating app shouldn’t be out of reach. This incubator makes it achievable, accessible, and genuinely exciting.” The launch comes amid rising demand for hyper-targeted dating experiences, with market analysts noting an increase in smaller, community-focused platforms.