Nox takes a step forward in its expansion plan with the addition of Oakley Capital as strategic partner

After several years of sustained growth, at Nox we are taking another step forward: Oakley Capital, a leading pan-European private equity firm, joins as a new strategic partner with an investment from its Oakley Origin Fund II, with the aim of taking the brand to a new stage in its global expansion.

This operation is carried out in alliance with GPF Partners, a Spanish private equity fund, and our founder and CEO, Jesús Ballvé, who will continue to be an essential part of the project, maintaining a significant minority stake in the group. For the closing of this agreement, Nox has received legal advice from Javier Merino and Lidia Cuadra of Blas A. González Abogados S.L., a renowned law firm specialized in Business Law.

Since our founding in 2008 in Barcelona, we have worked to make Nox synonymous with excellence, innovation and high performance. Today, our equipment is present in more than 80 countries and accompanies players of all levels, from amateurs to professionals such as the world's number one padel player, Agustín Tapia. We sell more than 400,000 rackets a year, a figure that reflects the great commitment we have with our community.

Over the last four years, NOX has experienced exceptional growth, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 50%, well above the industry average. This evolution has been possible thanks to our constant commitment to product development and a brand strategy based on the loyalty of our global community of players.

Padel continues to grow internationally with an annual expansion rate of 25%, driven by its dynamism, accessibility and ability to attract players of all ages. This growth is also reflected in the emergence of exclusive centers and the transformation of tennis clubs that incorporate padel courts, motivated by its solid economic model.

The entry of Oakley Capital as a new strategic partner will allow us to accelerate the internationalization of the brand, with a special focus on key markets such as the U.S. and Asia, where padel is rapidly gaining ground. In addition, this alliance will help to expand our product portfolio, strengthen our digital marketing capabilities and explore opportunities in the emerging pickleball segment, where we have already begun to position ourselves.

Peter Dubens, co-founder and managing partner of Oakley Capital, comments:
"Jesús Ballvé has built an authentic, high-performance brand with a loyal community among both professional and amateur players. We are delighted to support Jesús and the NOX team, together with GPF, to scale the business and make it a truly global brand."

Martin Rodriguez-Fraile, co-founder and managing partner of GPF Partners, adds:
"We are very pleased with the growth and internationalization achieved by NOX under Jesus' leadership. We are confident that the alliance with Oakley Capital will allow NOX to continue accelerating its expansion and consolidating its international positioning".

Jesús Ballvé, founder and CEO of NOX, concludes:
"We are proud of the path we have taken over the past 17 years and believe that Oakley Capital is the ideal partner to take NOX to its next stage. Their expertise in digital marketing and their track record in premium sports and lifestyle brands will be instrumental in driving our global presence and continuing to develop innovative and high quality products."