Wable, a Melbourne-based social networking app tailored for neurodivergent individuals, has secured $1.5 million in a Series A funding round to accelerate its expansion into the US and UK markets.
The investment was led by Paul Sharbanee from Taurus Capital.
The app helps neurodivergent people make friends, find dates, look for jobs, and get support. It fills a gap because many other platforms don’t meet the needs of neurodivergent users, who make up about 1 in 5 people.
The new funding will help Wable grow globally, hire more team members, spend more on marketing, and add new features to the app.
Founder Holly Fowler started Wable in 2024 after being inspired by Michael Theo’s journey on the 2019 TV series Love on the Spectrum.
Michael Theo is now a Wable ambassador and is also acting in the ABC comedy-drama series Austin, alongside Ben Miller and Sally Phillips, which is now in its second season.
Since its launch in 2024, thousands of people in Australia and New Zealand have joined Wable, and it became available in the US and UK last month.
The app lets users choose colour schemes that suit their sensory needs, and it has a Chat Wheel to help start conversations. It also keeps users safe with features like an 18+ age limit, AI selfie verification, no direct photo or video messaging, no link sharing, and two-factor authentication.
Wable’s Toolbox provides access to counselor-led videos on dating and social skills, along with community resources such as a neuro-inclusive jobs board and a directory of safe, sensory-friendly places.
Fowler said the app is designed to make online relationship-building easier and safer for neurodivergent people.
“The neurodivergent community experiences higher rates of loneliness and unemployment, and has been overlooked by traditional social and dating apps for far too long,” she said.
“This funding means we can scale faster, bring Wable to more people globally, and continue building a platform that understands and celebrates the way our community connects.”
Fowler has also signed on Aesha Scott from Below Deck, I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!, and The Amazing Race, as a celebrity ambassador.
Taurus Capital’s Paul Sharbanee said Wable is tackling a significant gap in the market.
“We believe Wable has the vision, team, and timing to become a global leader in this space,” he said.
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