While stuck in COVID lockdown in 2020, Holly Fowler had a lot of time to watch Netflix.
But while many of us simply binge-watched the time away, Fowler developed a platform that would not only change her own life, but that of a whole community.
Fowler, from Melbourne, Australia, found herself enamored by the Australian version of Love On The Spectrum and was inspired by the neurodivergent cast members’ quest for love.
‘I loved Michael Theo, who was sort of the breakout star in Australia from the show,’ Fowler told the Daily Mail. ‘I just loved and admired his unwavering pursuit for love, despite the many challenges he faces as an autistic person.’
Her appreciation led to the formation of Wable – a groundbreaking social networking platform for friendship, dating, jobs and support for neurodivergent individuals, including but not limited to people diagnosed with ADHD, Autism, or dyslexia.
With up to 20 percent of the global population considered to be neurodivergent – an umbrella term to describe a group of conditions that affect how an individual’s brain processes information and their interactions – Fowler saw the need for her niche app snd how much of a difference it could make.
The founder launched the app – with Theo as their ambassador – in Australia in November 2024, raising $1.5 million for its international expansion into the UK and the US less than a year later, with American users able to download and use it as of last month.
Five years after her initial idea, Fowler has a full team working on the app – which has 11,000 users across Australia and New Zealand and even a billboard in Times Square.
Fowler, from Melbourne, Australia, found herself enamored by the Australian version of Love On The Spectrum and inspired by the neurodivergent cast member’s quest for love
‘It’s pretty amazing,’ she gushed. ‘The neurodivergent community has definitely been waiting for something like this.’
Fowler explained Wable was designed to foster meaningful connections through features such as customizable sensory-friendly interfaces, conversation ‘chat wheels,’ resource toolkits, and safety measures like AI selfie verification.
‘The neurodivergent community makes up to 20 percent of the population that are experiencing significantly higher rates of loneliness and are struggling to find one another,’ she explained.
‘The modern, sort of, dating and social apps are falling short for them, so I thought from my couch, in lockdown, it’s time to do something about it,’ she added.
The Wable app is designed to make online relationship-building easier and safer for neurodivergent people – both for friendships and romantic relationships.
The app offers full control over the experience with customizable color schemes for sensory preferences, an interactive Chat Wheel for conversation starters, and thorough safety measures including 18+ age restriction, AI selfie verification, and no direct photo/video messaging, no link sharing.
‘We’re actually a social networking app, so we combine the option to use the app for dating and for friends,’ Fowler explained. ‘And [it can be used] to connect with like-minded people, which is really important.’
According to Fowler, the part of the app that differentiates it from other dating or friendship-based apps is a feature called the Toolbox.
Five years after her initial idea, Fowler has a full team working on the app, as well as investors – and even a billboard in Times Square
Fowler with actor Michael Theo from Love On The Spectrum Australia, and the ambassador of Wable
Fowler founded Wable – a platform for friendship, dating, jobs and support for neurodivergent individuals, including but not limited to people diagnosed with ADHD, Autism, or dyslexia
‘Inside the Toolbox, we have video resources from an in-app counselor, Jodie Rogers, from Love on the Spectrum, who’s just unbelievable,’ she shared.
‘We also have a neuro-inclusive job board, so as users are looking for matches, they can also find neuro-inclusive jobs in their city,’ Fowler continued.
The expansive app also includes a ‘neuro-inclusive venue map,’ if users who have been speaking on the app decide to go on a date or meet a new friend.
Another much-loved feature of the platform is a question wheel to help ‘initiate and maintain’ conversation, as well as alleviate some of the anxiety around finding an initial connection with someone.
Aesha Scott, known for her appearances on Bravo’s Below Deck and I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Outta Here, recently joined as an ambassador, expanding their reach even further.
Fowler said she’s thrilled by the positive response to the app and for its help in raising awareness around neurodivergence.
‘How special that we get to be a part of that change that’s so overdue,’ she said passionately.
‘It’s amazing that something so simple, by just allowing up to 20 percent of the population, or probably even more, that’s diagnosed, to just be who they are and find people that value, and understand them exactly as they are, that’s what we all want.’
With some successful love stories and friendship formed in Australia, Fowler hopes the love can carry overseas.
‘I can’t wait to hear my first, love story or a new friendship in the States,’ she said enthusiastically. ‘I have a big dream of a Wable wedding, so, maybe it will be someone, a couple in the States, but we’ll see.’
