David Groechel named his paddle company after the 11.6k jellybeans he once guessed correctly in a jar. That is the kind of founder story you cannot manufacture.
Groechel started 11SIX24 in 2023 in Davidson, North Carolina, after his $225 paddle snapped. He self funded the whole thing, still packs paddles himself, and prices the lineup from $99 to $209. The brand now sponsors PPA pros. (Worth a read: the founder story at Speak Pickleball.)
Why it matters: 11SIX24 is the earn it archetype. No raise, no rollup, no private equity. Just a founder who broke an expensive paddle and decided he could do better for less. For a recreational player, that origin story shows up in the price tag.
This is our standing brand discovery beat. Independent, playful, affordable, and twenty minutes from Charlotte. We will keep watching.