Boy invents Pickleball Pouch, wins entrepreneur contest

Zakary Cavanagh, a fifth- grader at Big Thompson Elementary School, took home a prize of $ 1,000 in Larimer County’s Young Entrepreneur Contest for his invention, the Pickleball Pouch.

Zakary, 10, said he has played pickleball and tennis for years, and the idea for the pouch, made of a light mesh and able to be buckled around the waist, came to him while playing pickleball and running out of balls, or needing to chase down ones that escaped.

The contest was not relegated to thinking of an invention and then producing the actual product — participants also had to research the viability of their inventions on the market, advertise to potential buyers and complete other elements of entrepreneurship and business. It culminated in a presentation, similar to the TV show “Shark Tank,” of the business’ merits to a panel of judges.

“Pickleball is a worldwide sport with 4.8 million players, which is double the amount of players from just five years ago, and it’s America’s fastest- growing sport,” Zakary said off the top of his head while demonstrating his invention Monday afternoon.

Speaking of advertising, part of Zakary’s presentation was a commercial featuring family friend Karen Kleber, using the product on a pickleball court.

“Do you have another ball?’ a voice off screen said in the commercial. “Well, yeah!” Kleber replied, pulling a fresh ball from her belt. “I’ve got my Pickleball

Pouch!”

The ad also points out that a special pocket inside the pouch can be used to keep a phone, keys, wallet or other valuables.

As for his winnings, Zakary said he already has donated 10% to a charity, Denver Rescue Mission. “My grandpa was homeless for a little bit, and he needed help, and the Denver Rescue Mission helped him out a lot,” Zakary said.

He shot a quick glance over at his mother, Marlene. “I’m probably going to put the rest in the bank.”