Epic Padel, a Virginia-based company dedicated to expanding the sport of padel in the United States, has announced a $10 million seed round. This funding will be used to accelerate the company’s growth across the U.S. and support the development of innovative padel communities worldwide.
Padel is currently the fastest-growing sport globally, with an estimated 30 million players across 130 countries and over 63,000 courts. Despite this rapid growth, the sport is still gaining traction in the United States, where there are fewer than 700 courts compared to several European countries. For example, Spain alone has around 17,000 padel courts, Italy has over 9,000, Sweden has approximately 4,000, and the UK has more than 1,000 courts. To bridge this gap, Epic Padel aims to bring the sport to a broader American audience and increase accessibility.
The recent funding round was led by NowaisWorld, the sports investment arm of Nowais Inc., along with Stryde Ventures. The round also saw participation from 305 Ventures, High Water Venture Partners, Lane Holdings, Off Court Ventures, Silverback Capital Group, and notable angel investors, including Elias Sultan and Sharam Gulzad. Adding to the excitement, a roster of influential cultural icons and athletes, including Omar Nour, Tre Boston, and Nicklas Bäckström, also contributed to the round.
Founded by Maryam Al Muslehi and Hala Sarkis, Epic Padel is building a comprehensive platform for the sport. The company’s approach combines club operations, early-stage investments, and technology-enabled infrastructure under one unified model. Already operational is its first club in North Carolina, serving as a proof of concept. With the new capital, Epic Padel plans to launch between four and six additional clubs in key locations, including Virginia, Milwaukee, South Carolina, and Utah.
These clubs will focus on scalable indoor and outdoor formats, sustainable building practices, and integrated technology, transforming underutilized spaces such as parking lots, warehouses, or existing racquet clubs into lively padel destinations without requiring significant investments from site owners.
Epic Padel’s strategy is a response to the fragmented and often exclusive nature of the existing racquet sport landscape in the U.S. While many facilities operate as luxury experiences in major metropolitan areas, Epic is targeting underserved tier-2 cities with more inclusive offerings. Its model emphasizes affordability, diverse formats, and strategic location choices designed to foster community engagement among racquet sport enthusiasts, students, and families. The aim is to turn less-utilized real estate into vibrant sporting hubs that bring people together.
In addition to its physical expansion, Epic is actively building an ecosystem through partnerships and investments. The company holds stakes in the Pro Padel League and its New York franchise, the New York Atlantics, and owns interests in several padel clubs across the U.S. and abroad, including Ultra Padel in Miami, Padel 39 in Texas, Padel Haus in multiple cities, and international ventures like Padel India and The Padel Hub in the UK. The company also invests in technology startups such as Clutch AI, which provides real-time video and data analytics, and Two Two, a Swedish company specializing in premium padel gear and apparel. These investments aim to create a comprehensive, tech-forward network for padel enthusiasts.
Epic is also working to introduce the sport into college campuses through its College Padel League and plans to launch a mobile app called Zero.40, powered by Clutch AI and Red Padel. This app will offer features like smart booking, community engagement, and player ratings. The company’s upcoming merchandise line will involve collaborations with athlete-investors and will be sold through e-commerce and retail channels.
Operationally led by Tim Bainton, a seasoned professional with extensive experience in the racquet sports industry, Epic Padel is focused on scaling its operations swiftly while maintaining sustainable growth. Looking ahead, the company intends to keep expanding within the U.S. while also growing its international footprint through strategic investments and collaborations. With these efforts, Epic Padel’s long-term goal is to help close the gap in court numbers by 2030, as predicted by Deloitte, and to make padel a part of everyday life for millions of Americans.
KEY QUOTES:
“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.”
Hala Sarkis, Group CEO of Epic Padel
“We saw padel explode across the MENA region, and realized 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.”
Maryam Al Muslehi, Epic Padel’s Founder and Board Member
“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 institutionalize globally, putting the sport at a stage where its most exciting growth is still ahead.”
Kareem Anabtawi, Co-Founder & CIO, Epic Padel
“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.”
Tim Bainton
