Epic Padel, a Virginia-based operator and investor, has successfully closed an oversubscribed $10 million seed round, led by NowaisWorld (the sports investment arm of Nowais Inc.) and Stryde Ventures.
Padel, often hailed as the world's fastest-growing sport, boasts 30 million players across 130 countries and over 63,000 courts globally. However, its footprint in the U.S. remains comparatively small, with fewer than 700 courts. This stark contrast to Europe, where Spain alone has 17,000 courts, highlights a substantial market opportunity. Epic Padel is strategically positioned to bridge this gap, leveraging its vertically integrated platform.
Founded by Maryam Al Muslehi and Hala Sarkis, Epic Padel is constructing a comprehensive platform. This model combines club operations, early-stage investments, and AI-driven infrastructure under one roof. The company is already operating a proof-of-concept club in North Carolina. Consequently, the fresh capital will fund the launch of 4-6 additional clubs in key markets like Virginia, Milwaukee, South Carolina, and Utah.
These new facilities will prioritize scalable indoor/outdoor formats, sustainable construction, and integrated technology. Furthermore, Epic Padel plans to repurpose underutilized real estate, from existing racquet clubs to parking lots and warehouses, into vibrant racquet sport destinations. This innovative approach often requires zero capital expenditure from site owners, thereby streamlining expansion.
“Our ambition is to create the leading padel platform in North America,” stated Hala Sarkis, Group CEO of Epic Padel. “This funding positions us to scale with speed, strategy, and strong backing, not just by building clubs but by investing across the sport’s ecosystem.” The company’s model directly addresses the fragmented, often elite-driven racquet sport landscape in the U.S.