Max Ade, Co-Founder of Pickleheads, is leading the charge in solving one of the biggest challenges facing the fastest-growing sport in America — pickleball.
With 36.5 million players and counting, the sport’s rapid rise has created a surge in court shortages, long wait times, and overwhelmed organizers. To tackle these issues, Max and his team built Pickleheads, a platform that helps players connect, find local games, and organize matches seamlessly.
With over 377,200 members and a recent $2.5 million seed round, Pickleheads is scaling rapidly as the digital home for pickleball players. Whether you’re a casual player or a dedicated competitor, Pickleheads is helping players nationwide find their community, improve their game, and stay connected to the sport they love.
Chapters:
2:30 – The Growth of Pickleball and Market Insights
5:00 – Building a Community and Customer Acquisition Strategy
7:42 – Understanding the Pickleball Market and Participation Trends
10:15 – The Social Aspect of Pickleball and Its Unique Appeal
12:53 – Navigating Growth and Capital Raising for Pickleball
15:44 – Adapting to Skill Levels and Player Needs
18:26 – Future Vision and Trends in Pickleball
20:45 – Learning from Other Sports and Companies