Padel is set to make its mark in South Carolina thanks to a new initiative led by army veteran Dan Fitzgerald. With support from Upstate Warrior Solution (UWS) and Abundance Capital, Fitzgerald’s startup, 40Forty Padel Club, has secured a $25,000 venture philanthropy investment to launch the Upstate’s first dedicated padel facility.
From concept to community impact
Fitzgerald began developing the idea for 40Forty nearly two years ago, working closely with UWS to refine his business plan and connect with mentors. The club is now headquartered at the Rupert Huse Veteran Center and is preparing to open its first location in Mauldin this December.
“Dan’s journey reflects exactly what our entrepreneurship program is designed to do,” said Jack Sterling, Navy veteran and UWS program lead. “With guidance, mentorship, and now financial support from Abundance Capital, he’s grown 40Forty from an idea on paper to a growing venture headquartered here at the Rupert Huse Veteran Center.”
A new chapter for padel in the Upstate
The launch of 40Forty Padel Club marks a significant step for the sport in the region. As the first facility of its kind in the Upstate, it aims to introduce padel to a broader audience and create a new hub for community engagement through sport.
The official check presentation is scheduled for Wednesday at 3 p.m. at the Rupert Huse Veteran Center, where supporters and local leaders will gather to celebrate the milestone and the future of padel in South Carolina.
