Pickleball App Launches With 4.5 Million New Players Targeted
Coral Gables firm PlayerU Software Solutions releases a free mobile app featuring AI coaching and video lessons from a US Open champion to help beginners start playing.
By Meera Fletcher ·
PlayerU Software Solutions LLC has launched a free mobile application designed to teach pickleball to beginners and advanced players. The app is now available for download on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. It was developed by a Coral Gables-based technology company aiming to address the rapid growth of the sport in the United States.
The platform features guided video lessons led by Kyle Yates, a seven-time US Open Champion and Hall of Famer. These videos take users through skill progressions from beginner to advanced levels. The company states that having a high-profile professional as a video coach is intended to lower the barrier to entry for new participants who are unsure where to begin.
Rene Prats, co-founder of PlayerU, explained that the app solves the common problem of people being interested in the sport but lacking a starting point. Prats is also the co-founder of Diadem Pickleball Complexes, which built the first indoor pickleball facility in Florida. The company is currently on pace to add another 13 indoor facilities across the state. Prats brings four decades of business experience in the hospitality industry, including executive roles at Tony Roma’s, Luther’s BBQ, and Papa Johns Pizza.
In a related business move, Prats was honored earlier this year at the Court Reserve World Pickleball Conference. The organization awarded him the DUPR 2026 Golden Pickle Business Award. This recognition highlights his role as an advocate for the industry and the expansion of playing venues.
The app includes a feature called PlayerULogic, a pickleball-specific artificial intelligence tool. This system is trained on the game’s rules, strategies, and skill progressions. It provides real-time answers to questions from players as they learn. Edwin Rivera, the other co-founder, described the tool as a key component for engaging the growing player base.
Rivera is a tech entrepreneur who specializes in helping startups commercialize their innovations. He noted that pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in America, with 4.5 million new players picking up a paddle every year. Many of these new participants are currently watching from the sidelines while friends play, curious but hesitant to join in without proper instruction.
The launch of the app reflects the industry's effort to capture this expanding demographic. By combining expert video instruction with AI-driven support, PlayerU aims to provide a comprehensive learning experience. The company is available for inquiries through Rivera at 786-355-9543. The app serves as a digital entry point for the millions of spectators looking to become active players.
