Neurodivergent Dating App Wable Secures $1.5M to Fuel UK and US Expansion

Melbourne-based startup Wable, which provides a specialized social networking and support platform for neurodivergent users, has closed a $1.5 million Series A funding round to accelerate its entry into the U.S. and UK markets. The round was led by Paul Sharbanee, executive director at Taurus Capital.

Launched in February 2024 by founder Holly Fowler – who was inspired by the Netflix series Love on the Spectrum – Wable has been designed to foster meaningful connections through features such as customizable sensory-friendly interfaces, conversation “chat wheels”, resource toolkits, and safety-first measures like AI selfie verification.

The app initially rolled out in Australia and New Zealand and has rapidly gained traction, attracting over 10,000 users and registering frequent daily engagement – users reportedly spending nearly half an hour per session. A branded ambassador campaign featuring Love on the Spectrum star Michael Theo helped build early momentum and pre-launch interest in key overseas regions.

The fresh capital infusion will allow Wable to expand its team, fund targeted marketing in new territories, and improve the app through product enhancements based on user feedback. Fowler described the international launch as a “pinch-me moment,” with conversions already flowing in organically even before major promotional initiatives began.

Wable’s expansion arrives amid growing recognition of unmet needs within the 20% of the global population who identify as neurodivergent. In fact, the platform itself was built to meet the needs of said users, with Fowler openly stating as much in early articles about the platform. By engineering its overall design from the ground up with these users in mind, Wable positions itself not just as a dating tool but as a broader social network.