Padel World Summit 2026 in Barcelona was a big week for CourtBrain, and one of the clear highlights was being named runner-up in the Startup of the Year competition. Out of hundreds of applicants and 20 selected startups, CourtBrain made it all the way to the final and finished just one vote away from first place.
For us, this was more than a competition result. It was a strong signal that the industry sees the same problem we do, and believes in the direction we are building toward.
CourtBrain exists to make racket sports easier to discover and access. We are building an open and independent discovery platform that lets players search across booking systems without forcing clubs to replace the tools they already use. In a fragmented market, we believe discoverability matters more than ever.
Over the past year, CourtBrain has evolved from an early product into a real platform in the market. Clubs can onboard, players can create accounts, and booking systems can connect. That progress made this recognition in Barcelona feel especially meaningful.
“To finish second in Startup of the Year and be just one vote from first place is something we are incredibly proud of,” said Hans Villanueva, CEO and Co-Founder of CourtBrain. “It is a strong validation of the problem we are solving and of our belief that racket sports need a more open, connected, and player-first discovery layer.”
Padel World Summit continues to grow as an international meeting point for founders, investors, operators, and decision-makers across the sport. Being recognized on that stage, among so many strong companies, is something we do not take lightly.
The week in Barcelona also confirmed something we have felt for a long time. Racket sports are growing fast, new markets are emerging, and the ecosystem is becoming more international. But the user journey is still too fragmented. Players often struggle to find where to play, and clubs need better ways to be discovered.
That is exactly where CourtBrain comes in.
We are building for a future where players can search once and play anywhere, and where clubs and booking platforms benefit from being part of a more connected ecosystem.
To everyone who met us in Barcelona, supported us during the event, or followed our journey from afar, thank you. Moments like this matter, but they matter even more because of the people building the future of the sport together.
Search once. Play anywhere.