Pickleball may not yet be a household name in India, but Goodland Pickleball is determined to change that. On a recent episode of Shark Tank India, two cousins, Yogesh Chavan and Hemant Chavan, stepped onto the stage with an ambitious vision—to make pickleball the next big sport in India. Despite being in business for just nine months, they had already clocked ₹1.9 crore in revenue, with ₹70 lakh from India and ₹1.2 crore from the U.S.. With a ₹50 crore revenue target over the next three years, they sought ₹80 lakh for 4% equity, valuing their company at ₹20 crore.
Goodland Pickleball is not just about playing the sport—it’s about building top-quality courts, training centers, and tournament-ready facilities. Their expertise lies in professional-grade construction, ensuring durability, weather resistance, and performance-oriented designs that cater to both professional players and recreational enthusiasts. They also manufacture high-quality paddles, priced at ₹2,500, offer court rentals for ₹600–700, and provide a ₹5,000 monthly membership plan for regular players.
The pitch took an interesting turn when the sharks questioned Hemant’s commitment—was he planning to build the business in India or the U.S., where he resides? This uncertainty raised concerns among the investors. To showcase the sport’s appeal, Aman Gupta and Anupam Mittal even played a friendly match on set, with Aman emerging victorious. While he found pickleball exciting, he admitted to being more passionate about padel, a sport that has been gaining popularity worldwide. The founders clarified that pickleball courts are smaller than padel courts and that Goodland Pickleball is involved in court construction, club development, and high-end equipment manufacturing.
Despite the impressive numbers and future potential, most sharks backed out due to uncertainty over the company’s direction. Aman Gupta was the only one willing to invest, but he had conditions. He asked Hemant to stay in India for at least six months and the founders to open a club within two months. In return, he offered ₹80 lakh for 5% equity with a 1% royalty until his investment was recovered. The cousins countered, offering 6% equity and requesting a royalty reduction to 0.5%. After negotiations, Aman agreed, sealing a deal that would help Goodland Pickleball scale its operations in India.
With Aman’s backing, Goodland Pickleball is now poised to capitalize on India’s growing interest in alternative sports. Their success story is a testament to the rising popularity of niche sports and the entrepreneurial spirit driving India’s sports industry forward. If their vision materializes, pickleball may soon become a nationwide sensation, and Goodland Pickleball will be at the forefront of this revolution.
