US Squash Sells Majority Stake in Club Locker

US Squash has sold a majority ownership stake in Club Locker — a proprietary sports management software platform that the national governing body created — to Artisan Ventures, a firm focused on scaling businesses with niche software, content and community offerings.

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The transaction is believed to be the first example of an NGB creating and then selling a for-profit technology company. Artisan plans to take the Club Locker concept, which was designed for squash, and expand its role to connect and support organizations worldwide in all racquet sports.

As part of the deal, whose terms were undisclosed, US Squash will retain a minority ownership stake in Club Locker and maintain a strategic partnership with the company to advance technology-enabled growth and accessibility in the sport. Squash will make its debut at the Olympic Summer Games in Los Angeles in 2028.

“US Squash built Club Locker in 2014 to strengthen the foundation of squash in the U.S. and support its mission to grow participation while streamlining operations for programs, clubs, and events nationwide,” said Kevin Klipstein, CEO of US Squash. “Backed by Artisan’s expertise in building high-performing technology businesses and strong team cultures, Club Locker is poised to scale globally across racquet sports while preserving the mission-driven values that have guided US Squash from the start.”

Club Locker is a platform designed for all aspects racquet sports. The technology manages player ratings, offers tournament management, and aids in membership integration, venue operations, live streaming and payment processing. More than 300,000 players, coaches, parents and administrators have adopted the technology since its creation, which is also used in more than 4,000 venues.

“We’re proud to partner with US Squash to scale a platform that’s as much about community as it is about technology,” said Nick Shah, CEO at Artisan Ventures. “Club Locker has become the connective tissue of squash by uniting players, clubs, and organizations, and we’re eager to serve this passionate core and help the business reach new audiences globally.”