INDIA – Grab and go coffee startup First Coffee has raised US$1.2 million in seed funding to facilitate its expansion plans.
The funding round was led by BEENEXT, a Singapore-based venture capital firm.
It was also supported by other investors like Ashish Gupta (Helion Venture Partners), AngelList India, Ritesh Malik (Founder, Innov8), Sahil Malik (Founder, Da Milano), Chandini Purnesh (Owner, Harley Coffee Estate), Aman Arora (Co-Founder, Board – Keventers), Agastya Dalmia (Director, Keventers), Aman Bahel (Apex Group), Nakul Dev Chawla (Art Mumbai) and Shriram Nene.
According to the startup, the funds will be used to bring its premium coffee experience to more locations across India.
According to a press release, the brand plans to expand its store presence in key urban areas across New Delhi and the National Capital Region (NPC). The expansion plan also includes Tier 1 cities in North India.
First Coffee also revealed its expansion will focus on small format quick service restaurant (QSR) outlets in high foot traffic areas such as malls, corporate parks, high streets, and metros.
The startup also announced it plans to open 35 new outlets of this format by Q2 2025.
A proportion of the funds will also be used to hire more staff and amplify marketing efforts.
The startup welcomed the funding round, reiterating it reflects investors’ confidence in the fast-growing, youth-oriented coffeehouse.
Sohrab Sitaram and Shiv Dhawan, First Coffee’s co-founders, said in a joint statement, “Our grab and go model, combined with a focus on sustainability and tech-driven customer engagement, is enabling us to carve a strong niche.”
“Our current four stores have seen 25% month-on-month growth. Each outlet serves around 100 cups of specialty coffee every day, showcasing consistent customer loyalty and engagement.”
The co-founders reiterate the secret to the company’s success is the integration of experiential big data with analysis powered by artificial intelligence, creating a technology-driven retail model.
Anirudh Garg, Partner at BEENEXT, also welcomed the funding round by saying, “First Coffee is uniquely placed where they are not just selling a product but rather a coffee experience, blending tech, sustainability, and coffee.”
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