Australian startup Spoony has raised US$1 million in pre-seed funding to expand its social platform for disabled, neurodivergent, and chronically ill users.

The funding round was led by Antler Ventures, with participation from NDIS provider Melba Support and early-stage investment syndicate Trampoline.

Since its soft launch in September, Spoony has gained over 22,000 users, with thousands more on a waitlist.

Co-founders Nicholas Carlton and Kenneth Liang created Spoony to address the isolation many users face on mainstream social media.

The app features a “spoons” status display to show users’ mental or physical energy levels, helping foster better interactions.

Spoony plans to generate revenue by connecting users with businesses and healthcare providers while also developing educational content and AI-driven support.

The startup aims to expand to the US, UK, and Canada, positioning itself as a global platform for neurodivergent and disabled communities.