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First Coffee raises $1.2 Mn in seed round led by BEENEXT

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Speciality coffee brand First Coffee has raised $1.2 million in its seed round led by 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), Aman Arora (co-Founder, Board – Keventers), Agastya Dalmia (director, Keventers), Aman Bahel (Apex Group), Nakul Dev Chawla (Art Mumbai) and Dr. Shriram Nene. The proceeds will be used to drive the company’s expansion and bring its premium specialty coffee experience to more locations across the country, the company said in a press release. First Coffee aims to expand its store presence in key urban areas across New Delhi and NCR and tier I cities in North India. First Coffee will focus mainly on small format QSR outlets in high-footfall areas such as malls, corporate parks, high streets and metros. The company is set to open 35 stores across the country by the second quarter of next fiscal year. The funds raised will also be used for hiring and amplifying marketing efforts. Founded by Sohrab Sitaram and Shiv Dhawan in 2024, First Coffee combines design, culture and a new customer experience, with premium coffee. It integrates experiential big data with analysis powered by AI, creating a technology-driven retail model. Using shade-grown coffee and eco-friendly methods like man-made lakes for irrigation and traditional insect traps, First Coffee claims that its coffee is sustainably sourced while providing premium quality. As per Customer Market Insights, the Indian coffee market is projected to reach $1227.47 million by 2032, growing annually at a 9.87% CAGR from 2024 to 2033.