The Ballid story started with three friends and a shared obsession with the court. Whether it was padel or tennis, we were there every week. Early mornings, late nights, back-to-back matches. We lived for that fresh tube feeling—the "pop" of the seal, the clean bounce, and the sharp sound off the racket.
But tired balls ruin the fun.
By the second session, the energy was gone. The bounce dropped, the rallies felt sluggish, and the game lost its edge. Like every player, we felt the frustration of throwing away "almost good" balls just to keep the play fun. We were tired of the waste – both of money and materials.
The "Aha" Moment: Why Reinvent the Tube?
One of us, Iiro Naamanka, decided to stop complaining and start fixing. After years of playing, he asked the obvious question:
Why buy a separate, expensive pressurized container when balls already come in a perfectly good tube?
Iiro spent countless nights in the "lab" (read: garage and court-side). After dozens of failed prototypes and enough frustration to break a racket, he finally nailed it: a lid that attaches directly to the original tube, making it 100% airtight.
Patented Tech in the Service of Play
We checked everywhere. Nobody had done this. A patent application later, we had it confirmed: Iiro had actually invented something entirely new. But look, we’re a sports tech company, not a group of frat boys or professors. The tech is cool, but it’s just a tool to give you:
That new ball bounce every single time.
Consistent performance that lasts for weeks.
Less trash, more cash saved for your next match.
We still play every week. We still open new tubes. But now, they stay "new" until the felt is actually gone – not just when the pressure leaks out.
You might be out of shape. Make sure your balls are not.
BALLID IS CO-FUNDED BY THE EU
Ballid Oy is developing an innovation that addresses the short lifespan of padel and tennis balls with a new, patentable solution. The product enables re-pressurization of balls in their original packaging, extending their useful life. The goal is to develop the product to MVP level, build a production model suitable for industrial manufacturing, and strengthen the conditions for commercialization.
Name of project
Product development and international launch
Duration of project
10 / 2025 - 06 / 2026
PATENTED & PARTNERED
We believe in Ballid, but so do many others. We have secured a patent for the unique sealing mechanism. Our passionate team is backed by EU funding.
Patented tech for the win
Publication number: WO/2024/22397896
Publication date: 31.10.2024
International application no. PCT/FI2024/000007
International Filing Date: 16.04.2024
Patent: https://patentscope.wipo.int/search/en/detail.jsf?docId=WO2024223978
