Janet Teo went from experimenting with making pickles to self-funding PickleFox for US$364k

• Smart courts with AI-powered gameplay analysis, IoT cameras that enhance training, strategy
• Beyond the tech, a focus on fostering a vibrant community, supporting young talent, creating a league

When Janet Teo first stumbled upon pickleball, she wasn’t scouting for her next business venture. After stepping away from the corporate world in late 2023, the seasoned entrepreneur, who had built and successfully exited AI and EdTech startups, was ready to take things slow.

“The plan was to retire,” she said. “I thought I’d just focus on my family, maybe start a little side busines. I was even experimenting with making pickles in jars.” She laughed at the memory.

But once an entrepreneur, always an entrepreneur. Her curiosity led her to new opportunities. A casual visit to a sports venue in early 2024 introduced her to pickleball, and that moment changed everything.

“I saw people playing and thought, ‘Oh my God, this game is amazing!’ It’s so easy to pick up. Kids can start playing right away. Unlike tennis, where you’re stuck doing drills for ages, with pickleball, you’re in a game almost immediately,” she recalled.

Yet, as Janet dove deeper into pickleball—a fast-paced paddle sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis, she encountered a problem.

“I quickly realized that finding quality pickleball equipment in Malaysia was a challenge. So, I thought—why not bring it in ourselves?” she and a friend who is now a business partner, thought. That’s how Picklefox started. The duo researched, read articles and reviews, and spoke to equipment suppliers.

By May 2024, Picklefox.com was born—an online retailer dedicated to providing high-quality pickleball equipment. But with Janet determined to take the sport to the next level, the business is evolving into much more than just an online site with a physical store launched and Malaysia’s first smart pickleball courts, branded as Mothership, in Kuala Lumpur.

Positioning it as a premium experience, Mothership, in March, announced a ground-breaking collaboration with Six Zero, a globally recognized high-performance pickleball brand. Mothership became the first facility in Malaysia and Asia to partner with an internationally renowned pickleball brand.

Smart courts and tech-driven gameplay

Leveraging Janet’s background in technology, Mothership offers smart – which it claims to be the first of their kind in Malaysia, offering players an advanced tech-integrated experience.

At the core of this innovation is AI-powered gameplay analysis, offering cutting-edge systems designed to help players refine their performance. “Pickleball is a fast-paced sport, and strategy plays a huge role,” Janet explained. “We implemented visual AI analysis to give players deeper insights into their game and assist coaches in planning and developing training programs.”

High-speed cameras record every rally, while AI software generates detailed heatmaps of player movement, evaluates shot accuracy, and assesses serve and return effectiveness. “Players can simply connect their phones to review their performance metrics,” she said. “If you’re spending too much time at the back when you should be moving forward, or if your shots aren’t landing where they should, the system will highlight those areas.” Players can also analyze shot trajectories, reviewing their drops, drives, and lobs to fine-tune their technique.

Beyond individual performance tracking, the system also provides AI-assisted coaching tips, helping players refine their strategies over time. It also helps avoid arguments. “We’ve organized tournaments before, and one of the biggest issues is line calls. With IoT-connected cameras and AI-driven accuracy, we always ensure fair play.”

The smart courts themselves are built to pro-level specifications, ensuring a premium playing experience. “We invested around RM1.5 million (US$364,000) into this facility,” Janet revealed. The facility will feature seven covered courts, complete with locker rooms, showers, and other amenities. “It’s open-air but with a metal roof, so players get the best of both worlds—fresh air without worrying about rain or harsh sun.”

Having initially considered building its own app for its club management system, Janet opted for a popular off the shelf software.

Picklefox’s aspirations: Building Malaysia’s first competitive pickleball league

With growing awareness, new smart courts, and an expanding playing base, Janet envisions a structured pickleball league that nurtures talent.

“We want to give everyone an opportunity,” Janet says. “That’s why we’ll have a full professional team, but also an amateur team. Eventually, we want our junior players to progress to the pro level.” Given Malaysia’s deep love for racket sports, she believes pickleball has the potential to flourish. “Malaysians pick up the game quickly because of our badminton background,” she explains. “Once the government sees the potential, I believe we’ll get more support.”

To bring this vision to life, Picklefox is forging partnerships with established pickleball brands such as Six Zero that offer technical expertise and professional guidance.

She also acknowledges the financial barriers that prevent many young athletes from competing at higher levels. “Travel and equipment costs are expensive. I want Picklefox to support kids with real ambition and give them the resources they need,” she says.

More than a sport, a thriving community

What makes pickleball special isn’t just its accessibility or competitive appeal, it’s the sense of community it fosters. “It’s a very inclusive sport,” Janet said. “Pickleball is easy to learn, ideal for families and casual players.”

Picklefox organizes open play sessions, where anyone from beginners or seasoned players can join. “If you don’t have friends to play with, just sign up for one of our open play sessions, show up, and make new friends,” Janet said.

With pickleball on the brink of mainstream recognition and new courts opening, “My hope is that pickleball becomes a serious sport in Malaysia,” Janet says. “With its inclusivity, accessibility, and rapid growth, I believe we’re just getting started.”