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Funding · Commerce & Consumer Brands

First Coffee raises $1.3 million in pre-Series A funding to expand across India

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Date
Company
First Coffee
What it does
grab-and-go specialty coffee brand
Kind
Funding
Amount
$1.3M
Stage
pre-Series A
Based in
New Delhi
Founded
2024
Sector
Commerce & Consumer Brands

What they do

First Coffee is a grab-and-go specialty coffee brand that sells premium beverages like cold coffee and matcha, targeting Gen Z and young professionals

What happened

The company raised $1.3 million in a pre-Series A round led by DG Daiwa Ventures, with participation from BEENEXT, Sanjay Kapoor, and Shashank Bhagat

Why it matters

The funds will be used to expand the company's 25 stores across Delhi, Punjab, and Haryana, and to enter Tier 2 cities, while strengthening marketing,…

The details

  • First Coffee, an Indian specialty coffee brand, raised $1.3 million in a pre-Series A funding round led by Japanese venture capital firm DG Daiwa Ventures.
  • The round also included participation from BEENEXT, Sanjay Kapoor, and Shashank Bhagat, among other angel investors.
  • The company plans to use the funds to expand its store network, build a corporate team, and strengthen its brand through marketing and product development.
  • First Coffee has raised a total of $2.5 million to date, with this round being its latest funding milestone.
  • Founded in 2024 by Sohrab Sitaram and Shiv Dhawan, the brand focuses on offering premium, ethically sourced coffee in a convenient, grab-and-go format.

The bigger picture

  • The investment marks DG Daiwa Ventures' first foray into India's specialty coffee market, highlighting the growing potential of the sector.
  • First Coffee has gained a strong brand presence in North India, particularly among younger consumers, with 25 stores already operating in Delhi, Punjab, and Haryana.
  • The company's hybrid go-to-market strategy, which includes a focus on small-format stores, is seen as a key differentiator in a competitive café market.

About the business

  • First Coffee sells premium specialty coffee, including cold coffee-based beverages and matcha, using 100% Arabica beans sourced from India's finest estates.
  • The brand operates a network of 25 stores across Delhi, Punjab, and Haryana, with a focus on high-footfall locations such as malls, corporate parks, and transit areas.
  • The company emphasizes convenience, speed, and a unique customer experience, with a focus on shorter, transactional café visits.
  • First Coffee also sells premium merchandise, including clothing and accessories, to build a lifestyle and community around its brand.
  • The company uses a small-format model to reduce operational costs and increase accessibility, allowing it to expand more efficiently.

What happens next

  • First Coffee plans to expand its store network beyond Delhi, Punjab, and Haryana into Tier 2 cities.
  • The company aims to strengthen its marketing, product development, and operations to support its growth.
  • It is testing whether its small-format model can be replicated across a broader range of Indian markets.

The deal

Type
funding

Investors

  • DG Daiwa Ventures (lead) — A Japanese venture capital firm making its first investment in India's specialty coffee sector.
  • BEENEXT (investor) — A venture capital firm that has supported several Indian startups, including First Coffee.
  • Sanjay Kapoor (investor) — Co-founder and MD of Genesis Luxury, an investor in First Coffee.
  • Shashank Bhagat (investor) — Chairman of BI Group, an investor in First Coffee.

Founders

  • Sohrab Sitaram, Co-founder
  • Shiv Dhawan, Co-founder

About First Coffee

Product
Specialty coffee beverages and cafe experience
Customers
Coffee enthusiasts and cafe patrons in urban markets
How it makes money
Retail cafe locations with direct consumer sales
What sets it apart
Specialty coffee expertise and curated customer experience

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