In a sign that India’s startup ecosystem is now rallying around emerging sports, ServeClub — a homegrown pickleball gear brand — has secured seed funding from a notable trio of investors: Manish Poddar (co-founder of Rare Rabbit), Pratham Mittal (founder of Masters’ Union and Tetr), and Malika Sadani (co-founder of The Moms Co.).
Born from a culturally diverse team of students at Tetr College of Business — hailing from the US, Cuba, Mexico, Germany, and India — ServeClub is looking to make pickleball more accessible to Indian players through its USAPA-certified paddles, priced between ₹7,000 and ₹9,000. That’s nearly half the price of imported global brands, which often go north of ₹15,000.
The funds raised will fuel product development and ramp up both online and offline sales across India. With a market that’s heating up — growing at a brisk 26% CAGR with more than 50,000 active players — ServeClub seems to have found the right paddle at the right time.
“We’re not just building a brand; we’re nurturing a community,” said one of the founders. ServeClub has already partnered with over 25 courts, clubs, and fitness entities. It’s now eyeing a 20–25% monthly sales uptick over the next two quarters. The brand also plans to drive deeper engagement by organizing community events and expanding its direct-to-consumer footprint.
Pickleball — a fast-paced mix of tennis, badminton, and ping pong — has been gaining serious momentum worldwide. The global market is expected to hit $1.59 billion by 2031, and ServeClub wants India to be more than just a footnote in that story.
With backing from investors who understand brand, business, and scale, ServeClub’s next serve might just be its biggest yet.
