Summary:
Pickleheads raises $2.5 million to expand its online court finder service.
Pickleball's popularity surged from 3.5 million players in 2019 to 13.6 million in 2023.
The startup aims to become the operating system for recreational pickleball.
Brandon Mackie envisions Pickleheads as the number one pickleball app globally.
Funding will be used to grow marketing and engineering teams in Atlanta.
Pickleball's Growing Popularity
Pickleball is not just a game of short nets and small paddles; it's rapidly becoming a lucrative industry. Atlanta-based startup Pickleheads, which offers an online court finder for pickleball enthusiasts, has successfully raised $2.5 million to scale its operations. This funding round was led by Overline, a local venture capital firm, with contributions from over 65 smaller investors.
The Rise of Pickleball
The surge in pickleball's popularity can be traced back to the COVID-19 pandemic. Originally invented in 1965 on an island near Seattle, the sport saw a remarkable increase in participation after lockdowns. According to Statista, the number of Americans who played pickleball at least once jumped from 3.5 million in 2019 to 13.6 million by 2023.
A Vision for the Future
Brandon Mackie, chief operating officer and cofounder of Pickleheads, started playing pickleball in 2021 after a background in tennis. He noted that pickleball provided a perfect way to get outdoors and socialize during the pandemic. Unlike other trends that faded, pickleball has maintained its momentum, leading to an increase in courts and games.
Pickleheads aims to help users find local courts, join games based on skill level, and connect with private instructors. As the official court and game finder for USA Pickleball, the startup is poised for significant growth.
Plans for Expansion
Mackie, a Georgia Tech alumnus, plans to utilize the new funding to enhance marketing and engineering teams, focusing on hiring talent in Atlanta. His ambition is for Pickleheads to become the operating system for recreational pickleball, allowing instructors and aspiring entrepreneurs to manage their businesses through the platform. Mackie expressed his goal: “Our goal is to become far and away the number one pickleball app on the planet.”
Credit: Courtesy of the City of Atlanta
Conclusion
With a unique platform and a growing community, Pickleheads is set to play a pivotal role in the future of pickleball, contributing to the sport’s expanding landscape.
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