Revolin Sports Recognized as Michigan Sustainable Business of the Year by Michigan Sustainable Business Forum

Company develops pickleball paddles using biomimicry and sustainable materials

Michigan Sustainable Business Forum named Revolin Sports one of its inaugural Michigan Sustainable Business of the Year winners at the 12th Annual Triple Bottom Line Bash last month at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids. The company won the Small Business category, which recognizes organizations with less than $100 million in sales that identify as a small business. 

Revolin Sports began where most great innovations do: with frustration. Its founder won his first pickleball tournament in 2014 with “premium” paddles that kept breaking and he knew he needed to do something different. More than five years of rigorous testing led to over 250 material combinations and 400+ prototypes, applying biomimicry-inspired engineering to optimize performance, feel, and longevity. Through focused research and development, Revolin engineered high-performance paddles using natural, sustainable materials. They were capable of competing with the strength and durability of carbon fiber, at a fraction of the carbon footprint.

Today Revolin Sports is advancing sustainable innovation in sporting goods through its patented technologies – allowing it to achieve 95 to 98 percent lower emissions.  It is developing the RevCycle Program to uplift a true circular economy, while planting over 4,000 trees through verified partnerships.  Its packaging uses 100 percent sustainable materials with algae-based inks.

Made in Michigan, Revolin Sports supports American manufacturing and workers, combining high-performance products with environmental responsibility. 

“We’re incredibly honored. This recognition validates our belief that high-performance sporting goods don’t have to come at the expense of the planet,” said Greta Davis, Co-Founder. “From materials and manufacturing to packaging and end-of-life, we’re proving that sustainable design can raise the bar for performance, durability, and environmental responsibility. We applaud the other nominees, awardees, and MiSBF for their hard work in this critical fight for our planet.”

The signature event of the state’s sustainability community, this year’s Triple Bottom Line Bash hosted more than 350 professionals, supporters and their families to recognize businesses, institutions and professionals from around the state.  This was the first year for the Michigan Sustainable Business of the Year Awards program, which had previously been organized as a regional event focused on western Michigan. Award winners and finalists were nominated by Forum members and selected by a committee of their peers.  

Finalists in the Small Business category included BioWorks Energy, Design Declassified, Guelaguetza Designs, and Revolin Sports. 

“This year’s group included businesses working to preserve ancestral techniques with fair-trade artisans, a renewable energy firm, an innovative material start-up focused on recycled content, and a growing Michigan brand that grew from entrepreneurs’ shared passion for pickleball,” said Daniel Schoonmaker, executive director of Michigan Sustainable Business Forum.  “Revolin Sports is capitalizing on a unique business opportunity and leveraging sustainability into a better product design. The selection committee appreciated its circular approach, impact and measurement of impact, and the marketing of sustainable sport equipment to audiences likely less familiar or exposed to these concepts and product choices.”