Entrepreneurs with ambitions to build the next big dating platform are being offered a fast-track route from concept to creation, thanks to a new incubator programme launched by dating industry pioneer Nicky Wake.
The initiative promises to help founders transform their dating app ideas into live products in as little as three months, providing an end-to-end framework covering audience strategy, app development, funding, marketing and launch.
Wake, who has more than two decades of experience as an entrepreneur and is recognised as one of the UK’s most prominent voices in the dating and events industries, describes the incubator as a “clear, cost-effective pathway for founders to enter a fast-growing market with expert guidance and proven technology.”
Under the model, entrepreneurs retain full ownership of their brand while receiving hands-on consultancy, technical expertise and ongoing post-launch support.
The launch follows Wake’s acquisition of M14 Industries, a white-label dating platform that has powered numerous specialist dating communities. Wake has used the platform since 2022 to run her own ventures — including Soberlove, Chapter 2 Dating, and Widows Fire — all of which target specific communities and life stages.
Now, she is opening up access to the same platform and expertise for a new generation of founders.
“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 emphasised that the incubator differs from generic tech accelerators because it is industry-specific — designed for founders entering the competitive and rapidly evolving dating sector.
“I believe the future of dating isn’t in trying to compete with giants like Bumble or Hinge,” she added. “It’s in creating niche apps that serve defined communities — spaces where people can connect based on shared experiences, lifestyles and values.”
The dating app industry, estimated to be worth more than £6.5 billion globally, has seen a marked shift towards niche and community-driven platforms. Apps targeting specific audiences — from sober singles and professionals to hobbyists and over-50s — have shown faster growth and stronger retention than generalist platforms, according to industry analysts.
Wake’s incubator aims to harness that momentum by lowering barriers to entry for entrepreneurs who may have an engaged audience or a strong idea but lack the technical infrastructure or funding expertise to launch.
“Launching a dating app shouldn’t be out of reach,” Wake said. “This incubator makes it achievable, accessible and genuinely exciting — opening the door to a new wave of niche dating apps that help people connect in more meaningful ways.”
A serial entrepreneur, Wake has more than 20 years’ experience in media, live events and online communities. She is the founder of multiple dating and networking platforms and is widely recognised as a leading figure in the UK dating tech space. Her ventures have received national media attention for promoting inclusivity, community and emotional wellbeing in modern dating.
With the new incubator, Wake hopes to “democratise” access to the dating app industry — helping creators, community leaders and digital entrepreneurs turn their ideas into commercially viable platforms that serve people’s real-world needs.
