Not a conference. Connection in motion: padel, pros, and purposeful networking.

New York, NY — March 12, 2025 — NOYACK, the 501(c)(3) nonprofit for financial education and private-market access, wrapped its first NOYACKClubhouse live event—an in-person mashup of padel play, fast networking, and bite-size learning designed for young professionals, founders, and emerging leaders. The event sold out and drew a waitlist of more than 200 people, underscoring strong demand for community-first, action-forward programming. Attendees rotated through coached matches, courtside huddles, and five-minute challenges that turned handshakes into shared wins while keeping energy high and conversations purposeful.

Unlike a traditional conference, NOYACKClubhouse was built for movement and momentum. Players met partners on court, swapped roles between sets, and carried those introductions straight into short “teach-and-try” segments between games. Coaches and pros shared tactics on communication, positioning, and recovery—lessons that map directly to leadership, negotiation, and decision-making. Between games, participants captured takeaways on a single-page playbook card, making follow-ups natural and immediate. Facility partners helped streamline rotations and timeboxed interactions so every attendee left with new contacts, next steps, and a clear reason to reconnect.

Programming prioritized intentional matching over random mingling, bringing together founders, operators, creators, and finance professionals based on stage, sector, and goals. Quick debrief circles helped attendees translate on-court collaboration into off-court opportunities, from partnerships and pilot projects to hiring conversations and investor intros.

“We didn’t trade name tags—we traded serves. Sweat first, deals second,” said CJ Follini, Founder & CEO of NOYACK. “The court did more for trust in two hours than a conference room does in two days. When people compete, cooperate, and laugh together, they drop the script and actually connect.” Paola Saladin, Chief of Staff, added, “We make it easy to meet the right people—and leave with relationships, not just contacts. Our job is to set the conditions for genuine momentum and then get out of the way.”

Why it’s different: Real connections, real sweat—trust built on the court through shared effort before shared deals. Not a conference—no panels, no pitches, and no passive audiences; only useful conversations and structured momentum. This is what learning looks like: moving bodies, expanding minds, and financial education delivered NOYACK style in quick, digestible bursts that respect attention and time. The format rewards generosity and action, turning a fun game into a platform for professional growth.

What’s next: NOYACKClubhouse will expand to include early-morning “learn & connect” sessions, women-led circles, and weekend pop-ups that blend curated networking with mini-workshops on personal finance, alternative investing, and career design. Interest-list members will receive first access to tickets, partner offers from host venues and brand collaborators, and invitations to small-group gatherings curated by industry, role, and experience level. 

Select sessions will feature founder spotlights, expert panels, and live coaching on pitching, feedback, and collaboration drawn from real attendee challenges. To broaden access and diversity, NOYACK will offer scholarships and community partnerships, ensuring rising operators and first-time attendees can get in the room.

AccessGranted™

FAQs

Do I need any specific background or experience to attend?

No. You don’t need a finance, tech, or startup background to participate. Sessions are mixed by experience level, with quick onboarding so beginners can jump in and contribute. Facilitators run short “learn-and-try” segments so everyone adds value—whether you’re just getting started or already deep in the game.

How does the networking work?

We use intentional matching by role, stage, and interests. You’ll rotate through small-group breakouts, guided discussions, and rapid intros. Each block ends with a 60-second recap so next steps—like follow-up meetings, intros, or collaborations—are captured and calendar invites can be set on the spot.

Who is this for and what will I leave with?

These events are designed for young professionals, founders, operators, creators, and finance pros who prefer active, working sessions over passive panels. You can expect 6–10 new high-quality connections, a one-page “playbook” of key insights, and at least two concrete next steps (for example, a partner intro, a pilot idea, or a potential interview).

How do tickets, waitlist, and scholarships work?

Events tend to sell out quickly. Join the interest list at wearenoyack.com for first access to tickets. If you’re waitlisted, we notify people in order as spots open. A limited number of scholarships support first-time attendees and underrepresented operators; you can apply directly via the event page.

About NOYACK
NOYACK is a nonprofit building AI-enabled personal finance education and tools designed to turn learning into daily money actions. Its ecosystem spans practical lessons, calculators, and agentic AI that guide readers through real-life decisions across budgeting, benefits, taxes, and foundational investing. Learn more at wearenoyack.com.

Media Contact
Anna Scanlan, Media Relations, NOYACK
646-653-3481 | annascanlan@noyack.org