Automated Coffee

Looking at the coffee startups that raised the most capital in 2025, a clear shift can be seen in how investors perceive this industry. Coffee is no longer valued as a pure F&B model with thin margins and heavy reliance on physical locations. Instead, it is increasingly viewed as a scalable platform—where store chains, operational technology, user data, and even novel ingredients combine to create a compelling growth story.

According to Coffee Intelligence, the VC-backed deals attracting the most attention share one common trait: they are not “selling cups of coffee,” but rather selling replicable models and revenue expansion curves that extend far beyond the barista counter [1].

Fore Coffee in Indonesia exemplifies this logic. Rather than starting with a complex specialty coffee narrative, Fore built an asset-light chain with standardized menus, rapid store expansion, and a digital ecosystem integrated with apps, loyalty programs, and delivery. Investment capital was used to buy time and location—quickly capturing market share—before optimizing supply chains and customer data.

Fore being named “VC Deal of the Year 2025” in Southeast Asia reflects how investors prioritize scalable, capital-efficient models with IPO or M&A potential, rather than focusing solely on individual store EBITDA optimization [2], [3].

At the other end of the spectrum, specialty “farm-to-cup” chains like Every Half in Vietnam pursue a slower but deeper growth logic. Every Half controls the entire value chain—from sourcing regions and processing to roasting and in-store experience—using origin and quality storytelling to position itself in the premium segment.

Its US$3 million Pre-Series A round in 2025 was not only to expand beyond 14 stores in Ho Chi Minh City, but also to secure supply in Dien Bien, Lam Dong, and Dak Lak, while investing in fermentation research and bean quality [4], [5]. Notably, investors are betting not merely on store count, but on Every Half’s ability to transform “Vietnamese specialty coffee” into an exportable brand asset, beginning with roasted coffee e-commerce sales to North America [6].

Parallel to traditional chains, another model attracting significant funding in 2025 is automated coffee and “coffee as a service.” Octane Coffee in the U.S. and Blackbird Coffee in Denmark compete not through ambiance, but through CapEx/OpEx optimization and consumption data.

Automated drive-through systems or office-installed coffee machines operate 24/7 with minimal staff, while revenues stem from subscriptions or high-traffic sales points [7], [8]. For investors, the appeal lies in standardized operations and more predictable cash flows compared to traditional cafés—although profitability remains sensitive to density and equipment costs.

Perhaps most striking in 2025 is the rise of coffee/food-tech startups developing new coffee ingredients rather than opening stores. Prefer in Singapore, with its low-carbon “bean-free” coffee and cocoa technology, has raised approximately US$6.2 million to expand production and partner with major food corporations [9], [10].

Here, coffee is redefined as a technology and ESG challenge. Revenue comes from B2B, licensing, and FMCG partnerships—not end consumers. For VCs, coffee can become a light deep-tech sector, provided it addresses price stability, emissions, and scalability.

Another quieter yet notable trend is crowdfunding for independent specialty chains in Europe. Instead of large VC rounds, some brands raise equity directly from loyal customer communities. While deals of a few hundred thousand euros do not generate major headlines, they demonstrate that brand + community remains a viable capital structure amid increasingly selective investors [1].

Placed side by side, several 2025 trends become clear:

First, the largest deals are not necessarily in the “best-tasting coffee,” but in the fastest-scaling models or those expanding into new value layers.
Second, data—from customer behavior to supply chains and consumption—has become a core asset in convincing investors of scalability and optimization potential.
Third, ESG and carbon footprint considerations are no longer mere PR narratives; they are real investment drivers, especially in ingredients and B2B segments.

In this context, Every Half represents a particularly meaningful Vietnamese case. It is not racing to scale like Fore, nor pivoting directly into food-tech like Prefer. Instead, it follows a hybrid path: specialty chain + farm-to-cup integration + export experimentation.

This strategy aligns with Vietnam’s coffee advantages but also poses challenges in capital discipline and quality control during expansion. The post–Pre-Series A phase will be a critical test: can a Vietnamese specialty brand become a regional-scale investment asset, or remain a strong domestic chain?

For KisStartup, these stories highlight a clear lesson often discussed with founders during “afternoon tea”: raising substantial capital in coffee is not about making a better cup—it is about designing a model where capital can work.

When coffee becomes a platform—for chains, data, ingredient technology, or ESG—the cup itself is merely the first touchpoint in a much longer growth narrative.

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References

[1] Coffee Intelligence, “The VC-funded playbook for coffee,” 2025. [Online]. Available: https://intelligence.coffee/2025/08/the-vc%E2%80%91funded-playbook-for-c...
[2] Fore Coffee, “Fore Coffee attracts new investors,” 2024. [Online]. Available: https://fore.coffee/press-release-east-ventures-incubated-company-fore-c...
[3] East Ventures, “East Ventures wins 2025 VC Deal of the Year Award,” 2025. [Online]. Available: https://east.vc/news/press-release/east-ventures-wins-2025-vc-deal-of-th...
[4] The Investor, “Vietnam’s Every Half raised US$3 million in pre-Series A,” 2025. [Online]. Available: https://theinvestor.vn/vietnams-coffee-chain-every-half-raised-3-mln-in-...
[5] The Saigon Times, “Every Half Coffee Roasters secures US$3 million,” 2025. [Online]. Available: https://english.thesaigontimes.vn/every-half-coffee-roasters-secures-us3...
[6] IDH, “Vietnam specialty coffee market outlook,” 2025. [Online]. Available: https://idh-prp.files.prepr.io/3j2vgnqtma0v-.pdf
[7] KingsCrowd, “Octane Coffee on StartEngine,” 2025. [Online]. Available: https://kingscrowd.com/octane-coffee-on-startengine-2025/
[8] Mazanti-Andersen, “Blackbird Coffee secures DKK 30 million in seed funding,” 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.mazanti.dk/en/news/danish-startup-blackbird-coffee-secures-d...
[9] Inside FMCG, “Bean-free coffee startup secures backing,” 2025. [Online]. Available: https://insidefmcg.com.au/2025/12/05/singapore-bean-free-coffee-startup-...
[10] ESG Today, “Prefer raises US$4.2 million to scale low-carbon coffee alternatives,” 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.esgtoday.com/foodtech-startup-prefer-raises-4-2-million-to-s...