First Coffee, a grab-and-go coffee startup has raised $1.2 million in seed funding round led by a Singapore-based South Asia and India-focused venture capital firm BEENEXT.
The round also saw participation from other investors such as Ashish Gupta (Helion Venture Partners), AngelList India, Dr Ritesh Malik (Founder, Innov8), Sahil Malik (Founder, Da Milano), Chandini Purnesh (Owner, Harley Coffee Estate) and Aman Arora (Co-Founder, Board – Keventers), among others.
With this fresh funding, the company aims to expand its store presence in urban areas across New Delhi, NCR, and tier 1 cities in North India through small-format QSR outlets in malls, corporate parks, high streets, and metro stations. The brand plans to open 35 stores across the country by Q2 FY25.
“We are the first brand to bring true specialty coffee, scoring 91% on the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) scale, to the Indian market. At First Coffee, we’re not just serving coffee; we’re crafting a unique, premium experience while still catering to the fast-paced lifestyle of our customers,” said Co-founder Shiv Dhawan.
Commenting on the investment, Anirudh Garg, partner at Beenext, said, “First Coffee is uniquely placed where they are not just selling a product but rather a coffee experience, blending tech, sustainability, and coffee.”
Founded in 2024 by Sohrab Sitaram and Shiv Dhawan, First Coffee aims to redefine India’s coffee culture by introducing true specialty coffee. The brand sources its beans from the Harley Coffee Estate in Chikmagalur.
The Indian coffee market is projected to reach $1,227.47 million by 2032, growing annually at a CAGR of 9.87% from 2024 to 2033.
