M14
In short: M14 is a white-label dating and social app platform that powers Chapter 2 Dating, Soberlove and WidowsFire. Chapter 2 Dating, founded by Nicky Wake, bought the platform from its previous owner, Steve Pammenter. The deal gave a small niche dating operator control of its own technology and was not priced publicly.
Key facts
| Type | White-label provider |
|---|---|
| Founder | Nicky Wake |
| Acquisition | Chapter 2 Dating Ltd, founded by Nicky Wake, acquired the M14 white-label dating and social app platform [Prolific North, 8 September 2025] |
| Fact | The apps Soberlove, Chapter 2 Dating and WidowsFire run on M14 technology, which Chapter 2 has used since its 2022 launch [Prolific North, 8 September 2025] |
| Owner | Steve Pammenter bought M14 in 2022 and focuses on Gaydar and Highlife Media; GaydarGirls remains a strategic partner on the platform [Prolific North, 8 September 2025] |
| Founder | M14 was founded by John Kershaw, who pitched the platform on BBC's Dragons' Den in 2017 [Prolific North, 8 September 2025] |
| Acquisition | DII reported that Nicky Wake bought M14, the technology platform behind her three niche dating apps; the value was not disclosed [Dating Industry Insights, May 2026] |
About M14
M14 is a white-label dating and social app platform. Its technology runs the niche dating apps Chapter 2 Dating, Soberlove and WidowsFire, which Chapter 2 Dating Ltd has used since its 2022 launch. Its founder, John Kershaw, pitched the platform on BBC's Dragons' Den in 2017.
Steve Pammenter bought M14 in 2022. He has since focused on the LGBTQ+ dating brand Gaydar and the content business Highlife Media, and GaydarGirls remains a strategic partner on the platform.
Chapter 2 Dating Ltd, founded by entrepreneur Nicky Wake, acquired M14 so that her three niche apps would own the technology they run on. Prolific North reported the sale in September 2025, and DII reported the acquisition in May 2026 as a purchase by Wake of the platform behind her three apps. The price was not disclosed.
M14 matters to the dating industry as an example of a small, independent white-label platform changing hands, and of niche dating brands choosing to take ownership of their own technology rather than rent it.
Acquired by
- Nicky Wake, Acquisition, 2026-05
Timeline
Deals
| Date | Type | Parties | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 May 2026 | Acquisition | M14: Nicky Wake (Chapter 2 Dating founder) | Not disclosed |
Stories about M14
- Chapter 2's M14 Acquisition: Cost Control or Strategic Misstep?
Chapter 2 Dating Ltd has acquired white-label platform M14, which powers its niche dating apps, ending its reliance on third-party infrastructure.
Also mentioned in
Questions about M14
What is M14?
M14 is a white-label dating and social app platform that runs Chapter 2 Dating, Soberlove and WidowsFire.
Who owns M14?
M14 was acquired by Chapter 2 Dating Ltd, founded by Nicky Wake. Its previous owner was Steve Pammenter, who bought it in 2022.
Who founded M14?
John Kershaw founded M14 and pitched it on BBC's Dragons' Den in 2017.
What does M14 do?
M14 is a white-label dating and social app platform that powers Chapter 2 Dating, Soberlove and WidowsFire. Chapter 2 Dating, founded by Nicky Wake, bought the platform from its previous owner, Steve Pammenter. The deal gave a small niche dating operator control of its own technology and was not priced publicly.
What is M14's latest deal?
Acquisition: Nicky Wake (Chapter 2 Dating founder), 8 May 2026.
Also known as: M14 Industries.