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Pickleball may be the fastest-growing sport in America today, but for The Paddle House founders Jason Moeller ’27, Brian Ng ’26, and their partner Kai Chen ’27, the opportunity extends far beyond the court.

After recently winning first place in the , hosted by the city of Binghamton and Koffman Incubator, the student-led startup is turning its vision for Binghamton's first dedicated indoor pickleball facility into reality, creating a space designed not only for competition, but for community, connection, and year-round recreation.

For Moeller, a Long Island native and a senior economics major at ��������Ƶ’s Harpur College, the idea began with a simple observation.

"Our partner Kai Chen came to Binghamton with a passion for pickleball," Moeller said. "We all noticed there was a lack of entertainment and social connection locally. In our area, indoor facilities have proven their worth. Many members of the community enjoy themselves at places like The Pad Rock Climbing Gym, or the recently closed Skate Estate. We wanted to combine the sport of pickleball with a place where people could gather, meet new people and build community."

That vision became The Paddle House.

While pickleball has surged in popularity nationwide, the founders saw a unique opportunity in Greater Binghamton. Chen, originally from China now residing in Albany, serves as president of ��������Ƶ's Pickleball Club, which boasts more than 500 members. The trio also manages the largest regional pickleball Facebook group with over 325 members. Combined with the fact that there are more than 20 outdoor courts throughout the area, the demand was clear.

What was missing, however, was an indoor home for the sport.

"The pickleball market in Binghamton is already pretty big," Moeller said. "The demand is there. The thing that's missing is that there are no dedicated indoor courts "

Ng, originally from Manhattan but now living in New Jersey, recently graduated from Binghamton's School of Management with a concentration in management information systems. For him, the concept is about more than recreation.

"Pickleball is something that almost anybody can play," Ng said. "It's not like tennis or basketball where there's a much steeper learning curve. It's a sport that allows people of different ages and skill levels to connect with one another."

The founders also believe the facility could provide meaningful health and wellness benefits for the community by encouraging people to stay active and socially engaged.

Their own connection to the sport was strengthened through SOM. Ng first discovered competitive pickleball through the school's annual pickleball tournament, which attracts strong participation from students.

"That was my first experience with structured pickleball," Ng said. "That's where I realized it wasn't just something you might play casually. It can be very competitive and engaging."

As the concept for The Paddle House continued to develop, the team found support through the University's entrepreneurial ecosystem. Both Moeller and Ng served in leadership roles within Entrepreneur Connect, a student organization that helps aspiring entrepreneurs build connections and develop new ventures.

One of those connections proved especially valuable.

"We initially heard about the BLDC Business Plan Competition through one of our mentors, Professor Joey Tsai," Moeller said. "He's been a mentor to me for over a year. When he told us about the competition, we knew we had to compete because we saw a real opportunity to provide value to the city."

"This was their venture from the start,” said Tsai, Osterhout associate professor of entrepreneurship in SOM. “Kai, Brian, and Jason came in strong on the business model and financials, and that was their own work. What I'm most proud of is that they took it on without hesitation, through a great deal of revision and new research. That willingness to listen, adjust, and then give everything to it is what makes these three special."

The founders credit Tsai, as well as Linda Reynolds, SOM’s associate dean of curriculum and business operations, for helping guide their entrepreneurial journey.

"Linda Reynolds played a huge part in supporting us," Moeller said. "Her mentorship and the connections she's provided have been incredibly valuable. We can't thank her enough."

The Paddle House captured first place in the BLDC Business Plan Competition, earning $7,000 in funding along with $3,000 worth of professional services. The team plans to use the resources to support a Kickstarter campaign, launch pre-sale memberships and continue development of the facility.

The founders are exploring several potential locations in Binghamton, including the former Titchener building on Clinton Street, which has emerged as one of the leading possibilities. While a final site has not been selected, the team is working with local real estate professionals and community partners to identify the best location for the facility. Their goal is to open The Paddle House to the public in late 2026.

"We've done a lot of market research and we've spent a lot of time building demand already through our social media channels," Moeller said. "The goal is to do construction through the summer and early fall, and then open to the public around November or December."

The Paddle House is envisioned as much more than a place to play pickleball.

In addition to dedicated indoor courts, the facility would include social gathering spaces, recreational games such as foosball, ping pong, billiards and cornhole, and opportunities for community programming. The founders also hope to partner with local food vendors and food trucks to create a destination that appeals to players and non-players alike.

"We want it to be a community hub," Moeller said. "Come with your family, come with your friends, come with your co-workers. We want people to enjoy the social aspect just as much as the sport itself."

The business model includes open play sessions, private court reservations, leagues, tournaments, and coaching opportunities. The founders also hope to host student organizations, community groups, and private events, creating a welcoming environment where new relationships can form both on and off the court.

The timing may be ideal.

According to the founders' research, outdoor pickleball is realistically playable only a fraction of the year due to temperature, seasonality, and weather, creating a significant opportunity for indoor recreation.

"Something like an indoor recreational facility won't just create entertainment," Ng said. "It can improve people's social lives and give them a place to stay active year-round."

While the permanent facility remains under development, The Paddle House team isn't waiting to start building community. Throughout the summer, they plan to host open-play events at public parks around the region, complete with food, drinks, and opportunities for local residents to meet fellow players.

For the founders, the vision has always been bigger than pickleball.

By combining recreation, entrepreneurship, and community engagement, they hope The Paddle House becomes a gathering place that strengthens connections throughout the Greater Binghamton region while introducing even more people to one of America's fastest-growing sports.

"We want people to come together," Ng said. "Whether you're there to play, learn, socialize or simply spend time with friends, The Paddle House is about creating that experience for the community."

For more information, please visit The Paddle House’s , , , and Binghamton’s .