$1Mfor 10%
Protein Candy
Valued at $10M
The pitch
Jorge Quintero and Charity Christianson from Edmonton, AB, pitched Churco Pickleball in Season 19, Episode 9, asking the Dragons for $80K for 20% of the company.
- Asked for$80K for 20%
- Valuation$400Kimplied by the ask
- OutcomeDealwith Brian Scudamore and Michele Romanow
- Final deal$80K for 20%valued at $400Kplus a royalty: 5% royalty
Offers in the Den
| Dragon | Offer | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Simu Liu | Out - feels the explosive pickleball growth moment has already passed | Out |
| Manjit Minhas | Out - too early stage as an investment | Out |
| Wes Hall | $80,000 for 30% | Declined |
| Brian Scudamore and Michele Romanow | $80,000 for 20% plus a 10% royalty, later reduced to 5% royalty | Accepted |
| Arlene Dickinson | $80,000 for a 10% royalty only, no equity | Declined |
Jorge and Charity of Churco Pickleball in Edmonton, Alberta asked for $80,000 for 20% of their business making pickleball paddles from fibreglass and carbon fibre, layered using a proprietary process, offered in five types for different skill levels including a kids' racquet. Carbon fibre paddles sell for $210 and cost about $30 to make; the company sold $120,000 in paddles in 2023 and $62,000 in the first quarter of 2024, mostly in Edmonton and Calgary, sold online and through select retailers.
Simu Liu and Manjit Minhas went out, feeling the pickleball boom had peaked or that it was too early to invest. Wes Hall offered $80,000 for 30%, and Arlene Dickinson offered $80,000 for a 10% royalty with no equity; both were declined. Brian Scudamore and Michele Romanow jointly offered $80,000 for 20% plus a 10% royalty, which Jorge and Charity countered down to a 5% royalty on the same $80,000 for 20% terms, and the Dragons accepted.
Pitch details from CBC’s Dragons’ Den pitch page.
Churco Pickleball today
- StatusIn businessLast checked September 2026
Churco Pickleball is still operating and sells through its website.