Have you ever tried to book a tennis, pickleball, padel, or squash court and wondered why the process still feels stuck in another decade?

In this episode of Startup Builders and Backers, I sit down with Daren Hornig, founder and CEO of CourtsApp, to discuss how he spotted a major gap in one of the world's fastest-growing sports sectors and decided to do something about it. Drawing on decades of experience in real estate development and sports infrastructure, Daren set out to build what he describes as the Expedia of racquet sports, a platform designed to make finding, booking, and enjoying courts as simple as booking a hotel room.

Daren shares the origin story behind CourtsApp, from acquiring and revitalizing the historic Port Washington Tennis Academy to helping expand pickleball facilities across the Northeast. Along the way, he discovered a fragmented industry filled with disconnected systems, unanswered phone calls, and missed opportunities for both players and operators.

We also explore how artificial intelligence is changing the experience for clubs and players alike. Daren explains the role of Courtney, CourtsApp's AI-powered assistant, and how AI can help facilities improve customer service, reduce operational costs, and create more seamless experiences without requiring expensive technology teams or infrastructure investments.

Beyond the technology, this conversation is packed with lessons for founders. Daren talks openly about building globally distributed teams, moving from physical real estate projects into software development, and why speed, adaptability, and a willingness to solve real-world problems continue to create opportunities in unexpected places.

Whether you're a startup founder, sports enthusiast, investor, or simply fascinated by how technology is modernizing traditional industries, this episode offers an insightful look at what happens when entrepreneurship meets a market ready for change.

Could racquet sports become the next industry transformed by digital platforms and AI? I'd love to hear your thoughts.