Initially, it was just a hobby for Ellie Jamison and Grace Collins.
In the fall of 2022, as freshmen at the University of Virginia's Darden School of Business, the two bonded over a trip to the courts at the Snyder Tennis Center to play pickleball. sports, It was established as an activity on the ground.was a first for Jamison and Collins, as each was from a metropolis that wasn't as popular.
“But we just started playing pickleball, and we just fell in love with it,” Jamison said.
Mr. Jamison, who earned his bachelor's degree from UVA's Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy in 2018 and worked in San Francisco for several years before Darden, and the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business in 2017. Mr. Collins graduated and worked in the United States. Before attending Darden, Los Angeles is currently play henrya pickleball paddle company.
They first thought of pickleball as a way to exercise and make new friends. Two years later, they spend 40 hours a week playing pickleball through Play Henry.
Collins said, “When we're not in class, we're talking about business, selling, and working on expanding our business for the future. We're always thinking about business.”
Their mission will be to listen, connect and participate in Darden's inaugural Venture Capital Conference on April 12 at Darden Sands Family Grounds outside Washington. Participants will explore how the venture capital landscape and market conditions are impacting the field from a limited partner, general partner, and entrepreneurship perspective.
Program speakers will also provide Darden students with an in-depth look at how limited partners invest in current market conditions and how entrepreneurs can successfully pitch to venture capitalists.
The timing couldn't be better for Jamison and Collins, who are planning to graduate in May and are preparing to take on Play Henry full-time and ramp up their fundraising efforts.
“Venture Capital Conferences are important for anyone interested in ventures, fundraising, and networking,” said Jamison, president of Darden's Entrepreneurship and Venture Capital Club, which helped organize the conference. “This will set a precedent that venture capital is a viable career path for UVA students and alumni who are willing to invest significant time and energy into this field.”
Collins and Jamison say they spend 40 hours a week at Play Henry, which they run out of Collins' basement. (Photo provided by Matt Riley, University Press)
Saul Waller, who graduated from Darden in 2013 and is currently a managing director at Columbia Partners Private Capital, will be one of five speakers on the limited partners panel. He said it's important for students like Jamison and Collins to learn about venture capital from those working in the field before taking the next step in their careers.
“The type of financing depends on the type of business,” Waller says. “There are a lot of venture capitalists who don't fit the Silicon Valley archetype. It's the people who are funding small businesses. There are a lot of businesses like that that create a lot of value for their owners, but they probably aren't. We get funding very differently than tech startups.”
Jamison and Collins won $5,000 at Play Henry in February. 1st place in Darden Entrepreneurship Cup. Jamison said the funds are being used to fund the company's marketing and growth efforts.
Play Henry, a company licensed by the university to manufacture pickleball paddles, offers “The Hoo,” a white paddle with the UVA logo in its collection. You can find this paddle at C'ville Tennis Pro, Boar's Head Resort in the Charlottesville area.shop and above Website.
In addition to its current retail collection, Jamison & Collins has expanded its business to include custom paddles for weddings, events, and corporate gifts. Play Henry's slogan is “From the courtroom to the cocktails.” They have a long-term goal of turning Playhenry into an apparel company.
“Pickleball is changing the way people look at the activity,” Collins said. “We've seen great demand from brides who have decided to incorporate a pickleball event into their wedding weekend celebrations, as well as businesses who want beautiful bespoke paddles to encourage their employees to be active. ”
Jamison said he came to Darden because he thought it had the best resources to help him achieve his entrepreneurial goals. That mission is now complete, and Jamison and Collins continue to benefit from Darden's resources to help grow their business.
“Besides the incredible curriculum here, I've learned so much. The network here is just amazing,” Jamison said. “And everyone is incredibly generous and knowledgeable.”
They said they have received valuable guidance from entrepreneurship professors like Jim Zuffoletti at Darden. “We always rely on his expertise and experience,” Collins said. “I feel lucky to be able to talk to Jim about anything from financing questions to sales questions. He is very generous with his time.”
More guidance is planned for the venture capital conference, where panelists will include Darden alumni.
“The venture capital industry is primarily driven by relationships and networks,” Jamison says. “And it’s a bonding experience because you have that common connection of Darden and the alumni understand what you went through for two years.
“These types of connections will facilitate employment for aspiring venture capitalists in the industry and ensure funding success for founders seeking venture capital funding. That's why it matters. ”
This story originally appeared on UVA Today.
