First Coffee, a grab-and-go specialty coffee brand, has raised $1.2 million in its latest funding round, led by the South Asia and India-focused venture fund Beenext.
The funding round also saw participation from several prominent investors, including Ashish Gupta (Helion Venture Partners), AngelList India, Ritesh Malik (founder of Innov8), Sahil Malik (founder of Da Milano), Aman Arora (co-founder of Keventers), and Agastya Dalmia (director at Keventers). This investment highlights the growing interest in food and beverage brands, particularly those focused on coffee, from early-stage venture capitalists and angel investors.
The funds raised will help First Coffee expand its footprint across India. The company plans to open new locations in major urban areas, particularly in New Delhi, NCR, and tier-I cities in northern India. The brand will focus on small-format quick-service restaurants (QSR) in high-traffic areas such as malls, corporate parks, and metro stations. First Coffee aims to launch 35 new stores by the second quarter of the next fiscal year.
“We’re not just selling a product, but a coffee experience,” said Anirudh Garg, partner at Beenext. “First Coffee is blending technology, sustainability, and premium coffee in a way that sets it apart.”
Co-founder Shiv Dhawan emphasized the brand’s commitment to quality, stating, “We’re the first to bring true specialty coffee, scoring 91% on the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) scale, to the Indian market. At First Coffee, we’re crafting a unique, premium experience while catering to the fast-paced lifestyles of our customers.”
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