Holly Fowler and Wable: Redefining Digital Connection for Neurodivergent Users
Holly Fowler never set out to become a tech entrepreneur. The founder of Wable spent years in radio, working graveyard shifts and climbing her way to a coveted breakfast show spot. But during Melbourne’s brutal COVID lockdowns, everything changed. A Netflix binge of ABC’s Love on the Spectrum sparked an idea that would keep her awake at night – one she couldn’t shake until she saw it through. That late-night viewing session revealed a glaring gap in the digital world: while people everywhere were turning to dating apps and social platforms to stay connected, the neurodivergent community lacked a space truly designed for their needs. This realisation would transform Fowler from radio host to tech founder, launching her into a four-year journey to create what would become Australia’s first neurodivergent social networking platform.
Wable is more than a dating app – it’s a comprehensive digital ecosystem where neurodivergent individuals can find romantic connections, forge friendships, discover employment opportunities, and connect with like-minded people in a safe, accessible environment. The platform’s specialised features, from customisable interfaces that accommodate sensory sensitivities to integrated professional support from psychologists, address the unique challenges faced by neurodivergent users in forming meaningful relationships.
From Radio to Revolution
Growing up with a single father who raised her and her sister, Fowler learned early on about the value of hard work. “You don’t necessarily have to be the smartest person in the room,” she reflects, “but if you apply yourself and you’re a hard worker, you can do anything you put your mind to.”
This philosophy would prove essential during the grueling two-year period when Wable existed only in late-night sessions and countless Google searches on “how to find investors.” Fowler maintained her day job in marketing and communications, working from 8 AM to 5:30 PM before starting her second shift at 9 PM, often pushing through until 2 AM. She kept the project completely under wraps, fearing the stigma of potential failure.
Building From Scratch
With no background in technology, Fowler and her team bootstrapped the initial development, commissioning teams from India and the United States to build the first prototype. Every spare moment outside her day job went into the project, while she juggled time zones and learned the intricacies of app development through sheer determination.
The breakthrough came when she reached out to Michael Theo, a standout personality from Love on the Spectrum. His input helped shape Wable’s core features, ensuring the platform would genuinely serve its intended community. This collaboration marked the beginning of Wable’s transformation from concept to reality.
Technical Innovation Meets Human Need
Wable’s technical architecture reflects a deep understanding of neurodivergent users’ needs. The platform employs sophisticated AI verification technology to ensure user authenticity and safety – a critical feature for a vulnerable community. Users can modify the app’s color scheme to accommodate sensory sensitivities, while an integrated question wheel helps overcome the anxiety of starting conversations.
The platform goes beyond simple matching algorithms. A built-in consultation system connects users with specialised psychologists who understand neurodivergent experiences. These professionals provide guidance on everything from managing rejection to preparing for first meetings, creating a support system within the app itself.
Launch Day Drama
The path to launch tested Fowler’s resilience to its limits. Three days before Wable’s scheduled debut, she landed in the emergency room. With a high-profile launch party planned in Sydney and a segment booked on A Current Affair, the timing couldn’t have been worse. Yet the real crisis came just 48 hours before launch when Apple’s App Store rejected the application.
As the clock ticked down to her television appearance, Fowler and her team scrambled to appeal the decision. The app finally received approval just six hours before going live – a nerve-wracking experience that Fowler now views as a crash course in crisis management.
Beyond Dating: Building an Ecosystem
While dating apps like Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge each carved out their niche through slight variations on the same theme, Wable took a fundamentally different approach. Fowler envisioned a comprehensive ecosystem for the neurodivergent community, which makes up roughly 20% of the global population.
The platform features a job board showcasing neuro-inclusive workplaces, addressing the chronic underrepresentation of neurodivergent individuals in the workforce. A curated venue directory helps users find meeting spots with appropriate lighting and sound levels. These features transform Wable from a simple connection tool into a community hub.
Real Impact, Real Stories
One month after launch, Fowler received an email that brought her to tears. A mother wrote about her autistic, nonverbal son in rural Victoria who had found gaming companions through Wable. These online friendships, conducted entirely through gaming, represented a new form of meaningful connection that Fowler hadn’t initially envisioned. The timing of this message proved particularly poignant – it arrived on one of Fowler’s most challenging days, when she was overwhelmed with to-do lists and questioning her path. “It was as if this mum knew I was having a terrible day,” Fowler recalls, “and she just wanted to let me know that the app was making a difference.”
The platform now boasts over 11,000 users, with success stories ranging from first-time daters to lifelong friendships. A recent Dates or Mates event in Melbourne’s Fitzroy neighborhood drew 100 users, transforming online connections into real-world relationships. What made this event particularly special was watching the transformation throughout the evening – people who arrived as strangers left as friends, excitedly showing each other their Wable profiles and planning future meetups.
These success stories fuel Fowler’s dedication to the platform. She receives regular messages from users experiencing their first-ever dates, building lasting friendships, and finding their place in a community that understands them. “I get goosebumps when I talk about it,” she admits. While most social networking apps measure success in downloads and engagement metrics, Wable’s impact runs deeper. Each connection represents a potential life-changing moment for someone who might have struggled to find belonging elsewhere. As Fowler notes, “How many people get to come to work and say they’ve been a part of something that could be life-changing for someone?” It’s this potential for meaningful impact that continues to drive both Fowler and her team, transforming what began as a solution for dating into a platform that creates multiple pathways for connection and community building.
Challenging the Status Quo
As a young female founder in tech, Fowler faced skepticism from traditional investors. During one memorable pitch meeting, an investor suggested she take a CEO course – a recommendation that now draws a knowing laugh. “When do I have time for a CEO course?” she remembers thinking. “I’m already doing it.”
This experience strengthened her resolve to prove that success in Australian tech isn’t limited by age or gender. She points to Melanie Perkins of Canva as evidence that Australian tech companies can compete globally.
Security and Growth
Wable’s commitment to user safety shapes every aspect of its development. The platform employs multiple security layers, including AI verification technology that confirms users’ identities and prevents impersonation. These measures create an authenticated community free from bots and bad actors – crucial for maintaining user trust.
Having secured initial funding of $300,000, Wable has assembled a board of four members who share deep connections to the neurodivergent community. The company has already expanded into New Zealand and plans to launch in the US and UK markets in early 2025, with original investors recommitting for a second funding round.
Future Vision
Four years after that fateful Netflix session, Wable has evolved far beyond Fowler’s original concept. The platform hosts an expanding ecosystem of services, from employment opportunities to venue recommendations, all designed to enhance neurodivergent lives.
A new AI-powered feature is in development to help users maintain conversations, building on the success of the existing question wheel. With a major US ambassador announcement pending and international expansion on the horizon, Wable stands poised to redefine social networking for an underserved global community.
For Fowler, who still reads every user story that comes her way, success isn’t measured in downloads or revenue alone. It’s in the quiet victories: the first-time dater finding courage, the rural gamer making friends, the job seeker finding an inclusive workplace. These moments validate her sleepless nights and justify her unwavering belief in Wable’s mission.
“If you’re a female, particularly in raising money, you have to work harder,” Fowler acknowledges. “But can you use that to your advantage? It allows you to be so resilient. And with that resilience comes success.”
For more information about Holly Fowler and her groundbreaking work with Wable, you can visit her LinkedIn profile, explore her Instagram, or check out the Wable website. These platforms offer a deeper look into Holly’s inspiring journey from radio host to tech entrepreneur and highlight how Wable is transforming the digital landscape for the neurodivergent community. Through these resources, you can learn more about her passion for creating meaningful connections and the platform’s innovative contributions to fostering inclusion and empowerment.
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