Rajshree Upadhyaya |Jaipur | Business Remedies | Yogesh and Hemant Chavan have carved a niche for themselves by promoting pickleball in India through a structured ecosystem with their venture, Goodland Pickleball. The growth of pickleball globally has been remarkable. What started as a backyard sport in the United States has now become one of the fastest-growing sports in the world. In India, the sport has only recently begun to gain attention, and among the early entrepreneurs who recognized its potential were cousins Yogesh Chavan and Hemant Chavan.
With a strong intent to build a comprehensive ecosystem around this emerging sport, the duo launched Goodland Pickleball in 2024. Their aim was to bring professional pickleball infrastructure and community-driven playing spaces to India. Both founders came from different professional backgrounds but shared a common vision for the future of the sport.
Yogesh Chavan was based in Mumbai and focused on developing operations in India, while Hemant Chavan worked out of Brooklyn, United States-where pickleball was already highly popular. This dual geographical presence helped them understand how the sport was evolving internationally and how it could be adapted for Indian players and communities. Rather than limiting themselves to selling equipment, they decided to build a full-fledged sports platform that would support the growth of pickleball from the ground up. Goodland Pickleball was designed as a complete ecosystem around the sport. The company began focusing on building professional and tournament-standard pickleball courts, along with recreational playing spaces where individuals and groups could easily engage in the sport.
Alongside infrastructure development, the company introduced pickleball paddles, nets, and other essential equipment, ensuring that both new and experienced players had access to everything they needed to start playing. The founders also launched community-based pickleball clubs, allowing players to take memberships, book courts, and participate in organized matches and social games.
Focus on Building Community Around Courts
The startup gained momentum quickly in its early months. Within approximately nine months of operations, the founders reported revenue of around Rs. 1.9 crore. A significant portion of this came from the United States market, contributing nearly Rs. 1.2 crore, while India accounted for approximately Rs. 70 lakh.
Their business model revolves around multiple revenue streams, including court rentals, monthly membership plans for regular players, and sales of pickleball paddles and equipment designed for beginners and intermediate players. The founders placed strong emphasis on building a community around their courts, where players could connect, train, and compete.
The company gained significant attention when Yogesh and Hemant appeared on Shark Tank India Season 4 to present their venture to investors. During their pitch, they sought an investment of Rs. 80 lakh in exchange for 4% equity, valuing the company at around Rs. 20 crore.
Their presentation stood out as they brought the sport directly into the studio, even organizing a small pickleball match with the investors to demonstrate how the game works and why it is gaining popularity globally. While some investors expressed concerns about the early-stage nature of the business and the challenges of building sports infrastructure, entrepreneur Aman Gupta saw strong potential in both the founders and the sport. After several rounds of negotiation, he offered Rs. 80 lakh for 6% equity along with a small royalty clause until the investment was recovered. The founders agreed to the deal, giving Goodland Pickleball both funding and strategic support, while also bringing the sport into the national spotlight.
Strengthening the Ecosystem Through Premium Gear and Expansion
Following their appearance on the show, the company continued to focus on expansion and community building. Goodland Pickleball began exploring opportunities to develop facilities in multiple cities and worked on partnerships that could accelerate infrastructure growth. The brand also strengthened its ecosystem by organizing pickleball tournaments, offering training sessions for new players, and promoting premium pickleball gear and accessories tailored to the growing community of enthusiasts.
As per the latest updates, Goodland Pickleball remains active and is continuously working to expand the sport’s presence through new courts, clubs, and partnerships. By combining infrastructure development, equipment sales, and community engagement, Yogesh and Hemant Chavan are positioning themselves as early pioneers shaping the future of pickleball in India.
Their journey highlights how identifying a global trend early and building a supporting ecosystem around it can create new opportunities in the evolving world of sports entrepreneurship.
