Startup Slam – Founders & Funders Pickleball
The Startup Slam returns to Boulder Startup Week after an incredible debut last year.
In 2025, more than 60 founders, investors, and startup operators showed up to rally, speed-pitch, and connect on the courts. It turned out to be one of the most unexpectedly fun gatherings of the week.
So we’re running it back — bigger, smoother, and with even more founders and early-stage investors in the mix.
Founders. Funders. Fast hands. More dinks, less decks.
Pickleball is quickly becoming the networking sport of the startup world — faster and more social than golf, easier to jump into than tennis, and perfect for conversations between games.
Startup Slam is designed to create real connections through play, not forced networking.
Event Details
Date: Sunday, May 3, 2026 Time: 4:00–6:00 PM Location: Boulder Pickleball (Indoor facility with 5 courts + lounge space)
Capacity: 100 players RSVP Required: Event will fill quickly
What to Expect
Two hours of open play across five courts
Courts organized by Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced levels
Simple paddle-stack rotations so people can jump in and out of games easily
BP Pro Adam Johnson will be with us again this year for an intro workshop and general coaching and trouble-making
Plenty of time to play, spectate, mingle, and connect
The format is intentionally flexible so people can drop in anytime, find a game, and meet others naturally.
Who Should Come
• Founders building early-stage companies
• Angel investors and early-stage VCs
• Startup operators and technical builders
• Anyone in the startup ecosystem who loves pickleball — or wants to try it
We’re especially aiming to bring together a balanced mix of founders and early-stage investors to make both the games and the conversations great.
Why Pickleball?
Some of the best startup relationships don’t start in meetings — they start in motion.
Pickleball creates a natural environment where founders and investors can connect without the pressure of a traditional networking event.
Our Hosts & Sponsors:
This event is made possible by a few key humans and community allies:
Community Sponsors:
David Protein Bars
Interested in Sponsoring?
Sponsors help make this free community event possible and get direct exposure to Boulder’s most active founders, funders, and startup operators.
Sponsorship details: https://docs.google.com/document/d/17R48ZocQtd7tied2aARhU5lgy9TLOBZFG-n-gdXp08M/edit?usp=sharing