The world of pickleball has long been dominated by American and European brands, but an Indian startup is making waves worldwide. Meet SUPR Strokess – a homegrown brand that’s redefining performance and value in high-end pickleball equipment.
Founded in 2024 by tech entrepreneur Hemant Jani, SUPR Strokess – a premium pickleball paddles brand by Strokess Sporting Solutions – is redefining performance and value in the global pickleball market, showcasing world-class Made-in-India innovation.
Born on the Court: How SUPR Strokess Started
The story began in an unexpected way – during a corporate tournament where Hemant first experienced pickleball. What started as a casual game turned into a deep passion and quickly evolved into a business idea. At the time, the Indian market lacked premium domestic options for pickleball paddles, with most players relying on expensive imported gear.
“I saw a huge gap,” says Hemant. “Why should Indian players pay a premium for foreign brands when we can design and build world-class paddles right here – without compromising on quality?”
And thus, SUPR Strokess was born – with a mission to build Made-in-India, globally competitive pickleball paddles at accessible prices.
Meet the Founders and Visionaries Behind SUPR Strokess
Strokess Sporting Solutions, the parent company behind SUPR Strokess, was founded by four passionate individuals who bring together their love for racquet sports and unique strengths across tech, sports management, operations, and entrepreneurship – united by one goal: to put India on the global pickleball map.
- Hemant Jani, a tech entrepreneur with 13+ years of experience in scalable SaaS platforms, merged his passion for racquet sports and Indian innovation to create SUPR Strokess – a brand built for global performance and proudly made in India.
- Heth Gandhi brings hands-on sports industry experience from working with IPL’s Rajasthan Royals, BCCI tournaments, and sports analytics platforms like Wyscout. His transition from ground operations to data analytics, paired with his passion for racquet sports, made him instrumental in shaping the brand’s sporting ethos.
- Parth Patel, with a background in operations and logistics and a Master’s degree in the field, combines strategic precision from his supply chain experience with a mission-driven approach to bring quality and consistency to pickleball gear in India.
- Prithviraj Barad is a serial entrepreneur with ventures in manufacturing, retail, and sports infrastructure. As the force behind Right Angle and Vadodara’s largest pickleball court – 3rd Shot by Strokess – he brings a business mindset that blends design, community, and scalability.
Inside the Technology and Innovations of SUPR Strokess
SUPR Strokess currently offers Gen 3 Carbon Fiber Pickleball Paddles, built with cutting-edge materials including Kevlar + T700 Raw Carbon on a honeycomb core and dual thermofoam edgeguard – a design made for performance, control, and durability.
Coming Soon:
- Sports Apparel
- Paddle Accessories
- Smart Paddle Technology (in development)
Unique Selling Points (USPs):
- Designed by players for real performance
- Built with advanced carbon fusion technology
- 100% Made in India, matching international quality standards
- Built for Indian and global consumers seeking high-performance without compromise
These paddles are not just high-performance – they’re designed, tested, and improved by players who know the game inside and out.
Designed for Every Player
SUPR Strokess targets both beginner and professional pickleball players aged 18 to 50 across India, the US, UK, and Canada. The brand especially caters to:
- Competitive players
- Fitness communities
- Corporate tournaments
- Recreational athletes looking for pro-grade gear
Key Milestones and Growth Highlights
In just the first 60 days after launch, SUPR Strokess sold over 100 paddles, built a loyal customer base, and was featured in startup sports gear newsletters. By the end of the first quarter, the brand had crossed 200+ paddle sales.
In Gujarat, they have also established a manufacturing plant and formed partnerships with local pickleball clubs for testing and feedback.
Self-Funded with a Big Vision for the Future
SUPR Strokess was born out of personal conviction – not external capital. Founded and bootstrapped by Hemant Jani, the brand reflects his belief in the power of Indian ingenuity and self-reliant entrepreneurship. With no backing but a bold vision, Hemant invested his time, resources, and passion into crafting a product that competes with the best in the world.
From hand-selecting materials to overseeing product design, every step was driven by a relentless pursuit of quality, performance, and design elegance. The result is not just a high-performance paddle – it’s a statement of what’s possible when purpose meets persistence.
Turning Challenges into Opportunities
Building a premium sports gear brand from India wasn’t easy. Early challenges included:
- Import dependency for specialized raw materials
- Educating consumers on quality over price
- Finding high-skill testers for a relatively new sport in India
But SUPR Strokess turned these obstacles into learning opportunities.
“The biggest lesson? Real feedback beats theory. And authenticity builds trust,” says Hemant.
Meet the Team Behind SUPR Strokess
At the heart of SUPR Strokess is a small, passionate team driven by innovation, agility, and a shared love for racquet sports. The culture here isn’t corporate – it’s collaborative, fast-paced, and deeply mission-oriented.
We believe in:
- Craftsmanship over shortcuts
- Design with a purpose
- Being Indian and world-class at the same time
We’re creating more than products – we’re shaping a culture where sport meets lifestyle, and where Indian excellence inspires players worldwide.
Future Plans and Ambitions of SUPR Strokess
SUPR Strokess, also known as “Strokess Sporting Solutions” is just the beginning. The larger vision is to build a complete sports lifestyle brand around racquet sports – starting with pickleball and expanding into tennis, padel, and beyond.
The goal: to blend elite sports performance with designer aesthetics and luxury merchandise, setting a new benchmark for what an Indian sports brand can represent globally.
This includes:
- Premium paddles engineered for precision and power
- Designer sportswear crafted for performance and everyday wear
- Luxury gear and accessories that elevate the experience of every athlete
At the same time, projects like 3rd Shot by Strokess – Vadodara’s premier pickleball court and the first DUPR-affiliated club in the city – are helping build a strong, community-driven sports culture.
Through events, training, and grassroots programs, the brand is not only selling equipment – it’s building a movement.
Media Coverage and Industry Recognition
- Featured in Passionate in Marketing for leading the Gen Z pickleball wave in India with premium paddle designs
- Recognized by She Owns It, where founder Hemant Jani was profiled for his leadership in building India’s most trusted pickleball paddle brand
- Cited on Wikipedia in “T700 Raw Carbon Fiber Material: Elevating Pickleball Paddle Performance” by Lukman Mansuri (February 4, 2025), highlighting SUPR Strokess’ role in advancing pickleball paddle technology
India’s Pickleball Game Changer
SUPR Strokess is building India’s presence in the global pickleball market with a clear vision – deliver world‑class pickleball paddles made in India for players everywhere. With innovation, quality, and passion at its core, the brand aims to become a trusted name for pickleball athletes worldwide.
