#302: Steve Bellamy, Tipti - The Future of Racket Sports Starts Here

Steve Bellamy is founder of Tipti, creator of The Tennis Channel, and a lifelong pioneer in racket sports. From coaching world-class athletes to leading Kodak and now launching an entirely new sport, Steve shares the journey behind Tipti and why he believes it could reshape how the world plays and experiences racket sports.

Steve breaks down the origin story of Tipti—from a simple workaround at a junior tennis camp to a fast-growing global movement. He explains how the sport blends elements of tennis and badminton, why it thrives on existing pickleball infrastructure, and how it unlocks a more dynamic, engaging, and accessible playing experience. We also dive into his unique philosophy: building for the love of the game, not just financial outcomes.

Beyond the product, this conversation explores what it really takes to build a sport from the ground up. From assembling a high-value investor network to creating viral, shareable gameplay moments, Steve shares insights on scaling, storytelling, and why racket sports may be one of the most resilient opportunities in a rapidly changing, AI-driven world.

Podcast Chapters:

01:00 Steve's Journey in Racket Sports

03:42 The Concept and Development of Tipti

06:36 Educating Players and Clubs about Tipti

09:14 Steve's Vision for Racket Sports

12:40 Steve's Passion for Racket Sports

14:50 Leveraging Storytelling in Marketing Tipti

19:08 Building a Strong Investor Base

25:28 International Expansion and Infrastructure