Epic Padel raises USD $10M to expand clubs & global reach

Epic Padel has closed a USD $10 million seed funding round to support the development and expansion of padel clubs in the United States and back padel-related ventures worldwide.

Padel, a sport with 30 million players in 130 countries and more than 63,000 courts globally, continues to experience considerable growth. In the United States, though, it is still in its early stages, with fewer than 700 courts compared to 17,000 in Spain, 9,000 in Italy, 4,000 in Sweden, and over 1,000 in the United Kingdom.

The seed round saw participation from investors such as NowaisWorld, Stryde Ventures, 305 Ventures, High Water Venture Partners, Lane Holdings, Off Court Ventures, and Silverback Capital Group. Several angel investors, as well as cultural and sports figures including Omar Nour, Tre Boston, and Nicklas Bäckström, also contributed to the funding.

Epic Padel, founded by Maryam Al Muslehi and Hala Sarkis, is developing a vertically integrated platform for the sport, combining club operations, early-stage investments, and technology-driven infrastructure. The company already operates a club in North Carolina as a proof of concept and plans to use the new funds to launch between four and six additional clubs. Proposed locations include Virginia, Milwaukee (Wisconsin), South Carolina, and Utah.

The approach aims to introduce padel to scalable indoor and outdoor sites, focusing on sustainable building methods and integrated technology. Epic Padel intends to convert underutilised spaces such as existing racquet clubs, parking lots, and warehouses into racquet sport venues. In some scenarios, the company plans to use these spaces with no capital expenditure for the site owners.

"Our ambition is to create the leading padel platform in North America - not just by building clubs, but by investing across the sport's ecosystem: from events and equipment to tech and talent. This funding positions us to scale with speed, strategy, and strong backing," said Hala Sarkis, Group CEO of Epic Padel. 

The Epic Padel model responds to what it describes as a fragmented, elite-centric racquet sport landscape in the US. While much of the industry focuses on luxury venues in major urban centres, Epic Padel targets underserved tier-2 cities, aiming to broaden participation. Pricing, formats, and locations are designed to be inclusive and accessible, repurposing underused areas as community sites for enthusiasts, students, and families.

"We saw padel explode across the MENA region, and realised how far behind the U.S. was. We want to bring the sport to all 50 states through clubs, leagues, and investments that build long-term foundations," said Maryam Al Muslehi, Epic Padel's Founder and Board Member. 

Epic Padel has formed partnerships with operators, leagues, and start-ups to accelerate development throughout the sector. Its portfolio holds stakes in the Pro Padel League and the New York Atlantics franchise, clubs such as Ultra Padel (Miami), Padel 39 (Texas), Padel Haus (New York, Denver, North Atlanta, and Georgia), Padel India, and The Padel Hub (United Kingdom). In addition, the company has technology interests in Clutch AI, Two Two (Sweden), and Red Padel, which operates the World Padel Rating system. These links contribute to the establishment of a global network for padel.

"Our portfolio gives us strategic value across operators, technology, leagues, teams, and tournaments. We're able to collaborate on initiatives that lift the entire ecosystem, not just one operator. In many ways, we're creating a 'Padel Index,' investing in the sport as a whole rather than a single bet. As padel begins to institutionalise globally, putting the sport at a stage where its most exciting growth is still ahead," added Kareem Anabtawi, Co-Founder & CIO, Epic Padel.

The company is also working on the College Padel League (CPL) to introduce the sport to university campuses and plans to launch Zero.40, a member app powered by Clutch AI and Red Padel. The app will offer smart booking, analytics, ratings, and facilitate community engagement. A merchandise range will also be released, featuring collaborations with athlete-investors and to be sold online and in retail channels.

Operationally led by Tim Bainton, who has a background in racquet sports, Epic Padel's leadership is focused on expanding the sport with a clear emphasis on speed, scale, and sustainability.

"Padel is more than a sport, it's a lifestyle. We're building clubs that welcome everyone, not just the elite. And through tech, partnerships, and real community engagement, we're making it possible," said Tim Bainton. 

Epic Padel's long-term goal is to help close the 30,000-court gap that projections indicate the United States will face by 2030. The company plans to continue expanding within the US and internationally, through further investments, collaborations, and initiatives that connect padel communities across borders.