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Meet Ryan Breakwell, founder of No More Solo 

A few years ago, while looking for ways to meet new people and share experiences, Ryan Breakwell found a gap in the market. While scrolling through social media, he noticed a troubling pattern: many platforms failed to foster genuine connections - and some were even hostile, particularly toward women. After a solo skiing trip, the idea struck him - what if there was an easier, safer way to find like-minded people for shared adventures? 

Ryan’s vision was clear, to create an app that helps people find genuine companionship for holidays, hobbies, and everyday activities. Whether it’s making friends, finding fellow new mums, or simply connecting over shared passions, No More Solo would help people come together in real life. 

What followed was two years of dedicated market research and app development. Ryan immersed himself in user experience (UX) design and engaged with market developers to refine his concept. To take his idea further he turned to 91��Ƭ��Growth Hub for support with innovation grants and business coaching. 

Tailored support through 91��Ƭ��County Council 

91��Ƭ��County Council introduced Ryan to Real World Consultancy (RWC) - specialists in business coaching for early-stage entrepreneurs. Through personalised one-on-one coaching, RWC helped Ryan explore critical aspects of business development: 

• proposal writing: how to build a strong, convincing business case
• cost analysis: understanding the financial landscape of launching an app
• marketing strategy: identifying what works and what doesn’t
• scaling the business: crafting a roadmap for sustainable growth

With expert guidance, Ryan successfully applied for an Innovation Grant to use advanced dating app algorithms to power the connection-matching features of No More Solo. The coaching also helped him navigate marketing, PR, branding and design. 

Recognition and impact following the support 

Within the first week of launch in March 2025, No More Solo celebrated an impressive 300 downloads. Within the first month of its launch the app had been shortlisted for the Social Enterprise StartUp of the Year Award at the Midlands final of the UK StartUp Awards - a testament to its growing impact

Reflecting on the journey, Ryan said: "Being shortlisted as a finalist for this award is an incredible honour and a testament to the vision behind No More Solo. The app was built to tackle loneliness by making it easier for people to connect in real life through shared passions. To see it recognised for its impact is truly rewarding. This nomination is not just for me but for everyone who has joined the No More Solo community and embraced the idea that no one should have to explore life on their own.” 

Ryan’s journey is a shining example of how our business support empowers early-stage entrepreneurs to turn ideas into real-world impact. With tailored coaching and innovation funding, local founders can grow businesses that change lives. If you’ve been inspired by Ryan’s story, find out more about the latest support on offer through the 91��Ƭ��Growth Hub.