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When Braydon from Pickleball Effect says 11SIX24 is the company he'd invest in, you’re doing something right. After diving into their story, I realized it wasn’t just the paddles that stood out. What intrigued me most was their blossoming community driving it, From affordable performance paddles to candid Discord photo updates, 11SIX24 operates like the scrappy, lovable underdog that somehow keeps winning. And while it’s fair to say it has one of the arguably worst names in pickleball, it adds to the charm. With a passionate founder at the helm, it’s hard to imagine 2024 being anything but a victory lap for this fast-rising brand.
So how did they become one of the most popular pickleball brands in 15 months of existence? Let’s speak pickleball.
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Reason #1: It all starts with a committed founder
David Groechel isn’t just a guy who knows his way around a spreadsheet or a marketing campaign—he’s a guy with brains and a bit of luck.
Case in point: the name 11SIX24. You’d think it’s a nod to the pickleball scoring system or his wife's birthday. Nope. It’s because he stared into a jar of jellybeans and casually guessed the exact number—11,624. This blend of intuition and a knack for precision feels like a perfect metaphor for how David approaches the pickleball business. He doesn’t just guess at what players want—he lands right on target.
Armed with a finance degree from Michigan State and five years in marketing and AI at HubSpot (a company I’ve applied to and got rejected from 5 years straight), David is the brains and brawn behind 11SIX24’s lean and nimble operation.
With his software engineering background, he’s sold not one but two tech startups (an AI image generator and a quirky “text-my-wedding” app) and poured every lesson from those experiences into this venture.
He self-funded 11SIX24, keeping costs low and operations streamlined, but don’t mistake “lean” for “cheap.” David’s obsession with quality—both in affordability and performance—is the reason 11SIX24 paddles hit that sweet spot: approachable for newbies, but built to crush tournaments.
“I wanted to create a brand that would fill the existing gap in the market, offering pickleball players high-quality, durable equipment without the exorbitant price tag. It was no longer about making do with what was available but about creating something that players could trust.”
Oh – and he still packs every paddle himself.
Reason #2: They built a winning paddle lineup
Some paddle brands stumble into greatness by accident, churning out a single smash-hit paddle and then coasting on its reputation until the buzz inevitably fizzles out.
11SIX24 isn’t that kind of brand. David plays an entirely different game, and the paddle lineup is the clearest proof. With a mix of innovation and borderline obsessive attention to what players actually want, 11SIX24 has built a lineup that feels less like a collection of paddles and more like a curated toolbox for winning at any level.
It all started with the Huarache X Control, a paddle that essentially redefined what dominance looks like early this year. Then came the Monarch Jellybean, an extremely affordable paddle that knocked Vatic Prism Flash off its perch as the budget pick of the year—earning the title from every prominent paddle reviewer.
And when people started murmuring about performance gaps? Enter the Monarch All Court, a paddle with a larger sweet spot, blazing speed at the net, and versatility that checks every box for the average player.
Next up is the Power Line, a series already generating a frenzy of hype from reviewers who’ve received it early.
There’s no secret Krabby Patty formula. He’s just got a paddle for everyone. Whether you’re a control freak, power hitter, or all-around grinder, 11SIX24 has a paddle with your name on it—and for a price that doesn’t make your wallet cry.
Reason #3: They adopted a growth mentality
David isn’t afraid to make tough calls, and that’s exactly why 11SIX24 is built for the long haul. Take a look at the Control line. While other brands might cling to a trend for as long as it moves inventory, David took a hard look at his kevlar paddles, realized they didn’t deliver enough value to players, and pulled the plug. No fanfare, no excuses—just a commitment to making paddles with purpose. That willingness to self-reflect, listen to feedback, and adapt is baked into 11SIX24’s DNA.
Criticism has been a growth engine rather than a roadblock for David. When customers called out his clunky website? He scrapped it and unveiled a polished redesign. When people grumbled about confusing paddle names, he took notes and streamlined.
And let’s talk about the elephant in the room: his early paddle graphics, cobbled together on Canva. They weren’t bad—they were fine—but “fine” doesn’t cut it when you’re building a brand as big as his. Recognizing this, David brought in a professional designer to overhaul the look. The upcoming Power Line paddles will feature a distinct brand teal and a sleek, cohesive aesthetic that screams modern, not makeshift.
Reason #4: They built a real community
At the heart of 11SIX24’s success is a community-first approach that feels rare in today’s world filled with overly polished corporate brands. David isn’t just the founder—he’s the guy you can DM on Discord at 10 PM about your paddle shipping status and actually get a reply (don’t do that though, let the man sleep).
He doesn’t outsource customer support or hide behind automated emails; he’s in it. Whether it’s answering questions about upcoming paddles, providing live updates on shipment delays, or offering blemished paddles at just $60 to make the game more accessible, David has turned his community into something more personal than just a customer base. He’s built a tribe. And in a time when UPA-A’s policies are increasingly squeezing out the smaller guys in pickleball, it makes you want to root for hard-working brands even more.
But this isn’t a one-way street. David doesn’t just talk at his community; he listens. It’s why 11SIX24 feels so grounded—like it’s run by someone who actually cares about the players, not just their money. I reached out to Dillon Kim, a 11SIX24 sponsored collegiate athlete at the University of Nebraska Lincoln. I asked why he chose 11SIX24 over all the other pickleball brands.
He ties David’s success to two things: transparency and communication. David picks a handful of ambassadors who get to play test every upcoming paddle and give feedback directly on Discord. He takes feedback very seriously and tweaks his paddles until they’re perfect. Dillon is also the head of the University of Nebraska Lincoln Pickleball Club. He says, “working with him to get our players gear and paddles was super easy and personable, and made us feel like we really mattered to him.”
He continues saying, “yes, David’s paddles are great and play amazing for the price, but the key to his success is open communication and connection with his community.” In an industry where brands are starting to feel more distant and unapproachable, 11SIX24’s secret weapon is simple: David’s genuine care for the players who have bought into his vision.
That being said, scaling this model could present its own hurdles. Maintaining a hands-on approach as the brand grows will test how well this grassroots ethos can survive success.
Is 11SIX24 a ten out of ten?
So, there you have it—four big reasons why 11SIX24 is primed to dominate the pickleball world in 2025. But what do you think? Do you agree, or did I miss something? I’d love to hear your thoughts—tag me @speakpickleball on social media and let me know. I read every comment, and I can’t wait to see what the pickleball community has to say about the brand that’s shaking up the game. Let’s keep the conversation going.