If you are anything like me then your brain probably doesn’t wake up until about 30 minutes after your eyes open, just after the first coffee of the day.
Among coffee drinkers, the average consumption in the United States is 3.1 cups a day; this demand and love for coffee has helped to make it the 18 billion dollar U.S. industry it is today.
This size of the market has opened up a world of opportunity for smaller coffee shops to express their ideas, some with unique themes such as Travel (The Terminal Cafe), Hammocks (Mahika Mano) and even Cats (Cafe des Chats). With this ingenuity also comes a whole host of other ideas from startups and entrepreneurs looking to change the way we enjoy our morning brew.
Here are three of the of the most interesting startups in the coffee game:
For those who are fans of the aforementioned unique, independent and sometimes themed coffee shops, or just a fan of getting a little something back from each purchase, then Jojo might be the one for you. This Vancouver-based startup helps users earn and redeem rewards at independent coffee shops, while streamlining your morning routine.
By using a quick and easy app, users can pre-order their coffee from their favourite independent shop so it is ready to pick up on arrival. Moreover, users receive 2 beans (points) for every dollar they spend, which can be spent later on rewards using the Jojo app. Not only does the app reward customers while saving them time, it also encourages the local economy by helping independent businesses, which then has an overall positive impact on your neighbourhood, resulting in more jobs and a stronger community.
Truestart Coffee was founded by Helena and Simon Hills, two sport enthusiasts who realised there was a gap in the market for caffeine controlled sports coffee. As a result, Truestart is now the only coffee with regulated caffeine, so you feel the benefits without the jitters due to the fact that caffeine is measured in every serving.
Additionally, the coffee is ethically farmed and single-sourced giving it a great flavor along with a kick for all industrious athletes. The innovative startup has a large selection of products which now includes Truestart Bars and are produced as nature intended: gluten free, vegan friendly and containing no refined sugar.
According to their website, Blue Bottle Coffee is the brainchild of “a slightly disaffected freelance musician and coffee lunatic, weary of the commercial coffee enterprise and stale, overly roasted beans”. The Coffee loving startup prides itself in delivering top quality coffee for those who need a perfect flavor with their morning pick me up.
They work directly with farmers from around the world to source the most delicious and sustainable coffee available. Next, they roast them to their specific flavor standards, and deliver them at peak deliciousness to their customers.
The main ethos behind this startup is the desire to provide coffee lovers with something more than your average cup of Joe from “Starbucks”. Not only can you order coffee straight to your door, the Oakland based startup now has a series of shops you can visit, including their 10th store which recently opened in NYC.
