The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), the governing body for tennis and padel in Great Britain, has announced a partnership with Redrice Ventures to invest in sports startups, becoming an institutional investor in addition to its role as the sport's governing and development body.
The initiative will focus on companies developing smart court technology, digital coaching solutions, and innovations related to sports performance and nutrition—areas that also have significant potential applications within the padel industry.
Diversifying revenue streams
The partnership comes as the LTA seeks to diversify its sources of income. According to figures reported by the Financial Times, the organisation generated £104 million in total revenue, driven by a 37% increase in commercial income, which reached £14.5 million.
At the same time, revenue from Wimbledon, traditionally the LTA's main source of funding, declined by 4% in 2025 to £48.6 million.
A trend worth following
The LTA's move reflects a broader trend across the sports industry: the convergence of governing bodies, venture capital and sports technology (sport-tech).
As padel continues to strengthen its global position, this type of institutional investment vehicle could become an additional source of funding for technological innovation in courts, clubs and player performance. It is a development that the International Padel Cluster will continue to monitor closely due to its potential relevance for the ecosystem of its member companies.
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