Nicky Wake
In short: Nicky Wake is the founder of Chapter 2 Dating Ltd, a UK company behind niche dating platforms for widowed singles and for sober and sober-curious singles. Dating Industry Insights reported in 2026 that she bought the technology platform behind her apps and that the group reached break-even.
Key facts
| Role | Founder |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Chapter 2 Dating Ltd |
| Role | Founder of Chapter 2 Dating Ltd; the Chapter 2 platform launched in November 2022 [Entrepreneur UK, November 2022] |
| Previous role | Runs Don't Panic Projects Ltd, an events company running awards for the digital industries, and had not previously launched an app [Entrepreneur UK, 2023] |
| Fact | Bought M14, the technology platform behind Chapter 2 Dating, WidowsFire and SoberLove [Dating Industry Insights, 8 May 2026] |
| Funding | The group has raised £450,000 in total investment and reported break-even with more than 20,000 members across three platforms [Dating Industry Insights, 10 September 2026] |
Biography
Nicky Wake is the founder of Chapter 2 Dating Ltd, a UK company that operates Chapter2Dating.app and WidowsFire.dating, platforms for widowed singles, and SoberLove.app, for sober and sober-curious singles. The Chapter 2 platform launched in November 2022, according to Entrepreneur UK.
Before Chapter 2, Entrepreneur UK reported, she ran Don't Panic Projects Ltd, an events company that runs awards for the digital industries including the UK Business Tech Awards and the UK eCommerce Awards, and she had not previously launched an app. Chapter 2 positions itself as a community and dating app built for widows and widowers, and WidowsFire as a partner site for people seeking physical connection without a long-term commitment.
In May 2026 Dating Industry Insights reported that Wake had bought M14, the technology platform behind her three apps, and that the apps had reached 25,000 users. In September 2026 it reported that the group had more than 20,000 members across the UK, US, Canada and Australia, had raised £450,000 in total investment and had reached break-even after three consecutive months of record revenue, with marketing spend down by more than half. These figures are reported by the company and the member numbers differ between the two stories.
Career
- Founder, Chapter 2 Dating Ltd (2022 to present)
- Runs events company, Don't Panic Projects Ltd
Stories about Nicky Wake
- Chapter 2 and WidowsFire: Niche Dating Done Right or a Limited Play?
Chapter 2 Dating, a UK app for bereaved singles, has reached 25,000 users, the company says. Founder Nicky Wake also runs WidowsFire and has bought M14. - Nicky Wake's Incubator: Democratizing or Diluting Dating Diversity?
Nicky Wake has turned an acquired white-label platform into an incubator for niche dating apps, offering founders shared tech and equity deals. - Widowhood Dating: Nicky Wake's Non-Profit Move Exposes a Market Gap
Nicky Wake, founder of Chapter 2 Dating and WidowsFire, has launched The Widowed Collective, a non-profit offering bereavement support to widowed people. - Sober Dating Launches on Valentine's Day. Can Founder Credibility Drive Growth?
Chapter 2 founder Nicky Wake is launching Sober Dating on Valentine's Day, entering a category that already includes Loosid and Single & Sober.
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Questions about Nicky Wake
Who is Nicky Wake?
Nicky Wake is the founder of Chapter 2 Dating Ltd, which runs Chapter2Dating.app, WidowsFire.dating and SoberLove.app.
What did Nicky Wake do before Chapter 2?
Entrepreneur UK reported that she ran Don't Panic Projects Ltd, an events company running awards for the digital industries.
How much has Chapter 2 Dating raised?
Dating Industry Insights reported in September 2026 that the group has raised £450,000 in total investment.
What is Nicky Wake's current role?
Nicky Wake is Founder at Chapter 2 Dating Ltd.