Nothing Before Coffee Bags $2.3 Mn To Open 150+ Outlets

SUMMARY

Led by Prath Ventures, the funding round also saw participation from SYL Investments

The startup will deploy the capital to set up retail outlets, strengthen its digital platform, and invest in supply chain optimisation and talent acquisition

Founded in 2017, Nothing Before Coffee sells a range of beverages at its more than 85 outlets across 35 cities in India and Portugal

Quick service restaurant (QSR) chain Nothing Before Coffee (NBC) has raised $2.3 Mn (around INR 19.7 Cr) in its pre-Series A funding round led by Prath Ventures. The round also saw participation from SYL Investments.

The startup will deploy the fresh capital to set up 150+ retail outlets across India by March 2026, expand deeper into tier-II & III towns, and experiment with new store formats such as compact kiosks.

A chunk of the capital will also be utilised to strengthen its digital platform, invest in supply chain optimisation and talent acquisition.

“The capital will help us deepen our presence, invest in technology and talent, and unlock the next phase of growth as we work towards becoming India’s most loved and accessible coffee chain,” said NBC cofounder Ankesh Jain.

Founded in 2017 by Jain, Akshay Kedia, Shubham Bhandari and Anand Jain, the Jaipur-based startup sells a range of beverages at its more than 85 outlets across 35 cities in India and Portugal. It also sells instant coffee, mugs and tumblers via its website.

NBC claims that its unique selling proposition (USP) lies in its “youth-first” approach, affordable offerings, and beverages served in “aesthetically-designed vibrant spaces”.

The startup competes with homegrown QSR chains Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters and Third Wave Coffee Roasters.

The funding comes at a time when India’s coffee-focussed QSR chains have been attracting healthy interest from investors. Buoyed by growing disposable income, a shift in consumer preferences towards coffee, and the emergence of a strong cafe culture, Indian coffee brands have been raising funds in droves.

In September last year, First Coffee lapped up $1.2 Mn in a seed round led by BEENEXT. Prior to that in August 2024, speciality coffee chain Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters bagged $35 Mn in its Series C funding round led by Belgian investment firm Verlinvest.

Listed FMCG company GRM Overseas also acquired a 44% stake in Rage Coffee in a mix of primary capital infusion and secondary purchase of shares for an undisclosed amount in August last year.

As per a report by Custom Market Insights, India’s coffee chain market is expected to become a $323.8 Mn opportunity by 2033