Subko
Subko is a Mumbai-based specialty coffee roastery, craft bakehouse, and pod-to-bar craft chocolate producer founded in 2020, operating owned cafés and e-commerce across five cities including Dubai, targeting affluent urban consumers seeking traceable, premium Indian-origin coffee, chocolate, and viennoiserie.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2020
- HeadquartersMumbai, India
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Subko does
Subko is a Mumbai-based specialty coffee roastery, craft bakehouse, and pod-to-bar craft chocolate producer founded in 2020 by Rahul Reddy. The company operates through owned flagship cafés and Subko Mini outlets in Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Delhi, and Dubai (the latter being its first international market opened in January 2026), supported by a Shopify e-commerce storefront with nationwide shipping in India and food delivery partnerships via Swiggy and Zomato in Mumbai and Bengaluru. Its technical core rests on in-house Arabica Q Graders overseeing specialty coffee roasting (multi-species Arabica, Robusta, Liberica, Excelsa sourced from estates across the Indian subcontinent), a pod-to-bar craft chocolate process with fermentation, roasting, and tempering capabilities, and a micro-batch craft bakehouse programme producing Indian-ingredient-forward viennoiserie.
Subko monetizes across five revenue streams: specialty coffee product sales (FY23 revenue INR 13.4 crore from this stream alone, priced ₹895-₹1,300 per 250g); craft chocolate sales under Subko Cacao (₹130-₹800 per unit across Terroir, Dark/Milk/White, Filled, Big Cubes, Coated, and Experimental bars); café-bakehouse dine-in and takeaway; branded merchandise and experiential events (Pod Experience ₹945, DYOC ₹395, Cacao Mill Tour ₹1,299); and corporate gifting under the Taufah sub-brand (boxes from ₹330). The company targets affluent urban consumers across India and the UAE who value subcontinental origin storytelling, hyper-traceability, and premium quality (SCA 85+ scoring coffees). Adjacent sub-brands include SOPI (sourdough pizza), Subko X Thaely (sustainable sneakers from spent coffee grounds), Bloom School (brewing education), and Subculture (a community platform for Indian artists and designers). Direct-trade exclusivity arrangements with estates such as Ratnagiri, Badra, and Riverdale, plus the VLGE Cooperative with tribal farmers in Andhra Pradesh, anchor a vertically integrated, traceability-led supply chain that the company leverages for premium positioning.
Subko firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Subko
- Legal name
- Sub Ko Coffee Pvt. Ltd.
- Website
- https://subko.coffee
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2020
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Subko is a Mumbai-based specialty coffee roastery, craft bakehouse, and pod-to-bar craft chocolate producer founded in 2020, operating owned cafés and e-commerce across five cities including Dubai, targeting affluent urban consumers seeking traceable, premium Indian-origin coffee, chocolate, and viennoiserie.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Subko industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Specialty Coffee & Craft Chocolate
- NAICS
- Snack and Nonalcoholic Beverage Bars (722515), Coffee and Tea Manufacturing (31192), Chocolate and Confectionery Manufacturing from Cacao Beans (311351)
- SIC
- Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810), Beverages (2080)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Espresso Bars & Coffee Bars (THAFADAD)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Coffee, Tea & Cacao Experiences (Roastery Tours, Tastings) (THAJAGAH)
Keywords
Where Subko is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Mumbai
- HQ country
- India
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices5 records
Markets served
Subko business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Specialty Coffee Product Sales: Sale of roasted specialty coffee beans, including microlot single-origin coffees, with prices ranging from ₹895 to ₹1,300 per item. Revenue from coffee product sales was INR 13.4 crore in FY23.
- Craft Chocolate Sales: Sale of pod-to-bar craft chocolates including Terroir bars, Dark/Milk/White bars, Filled bars, Big Cubes, Coated items, and Experimental bars. Prices range from ₹130 to ₹695 per item.
- Café and Bakehouse Operations: Dine-in, takeaway, and delivery services at café-bakehouse locations across Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Delhi, and Dubai, offering specialty coffee, craft baked goods, and cacao products.
- Merchandise and Events: Sale of branded merchandise including totes, ceramic ware, photobooks, and participation in experiential events like The Pod Experience, DYOC, and MYOB chocolate-making workshops.
- Corporate Gifting (Taufah): Bespoke gift bundles combining craft chocolates and specialty coffee for corporate gifting and bulk orders, available in small and large boxes starting from ₹330.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Single Origin Specialty Coffee Beans |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Craft Chocolate Bars |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Everyday Arabica Sneakers |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Events and Experiences |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Taufah Gift Boxes |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels6 records
Subko product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Subko is a specialty coffee roastery and craft bakehouse that sources coffee beans directly from subcontinental estates, roasts them in-house under Arabica Q Grader supervision, and produces pod-to-bar craft chocolates, artisanal viennoiserie, and curated gift bundles. The company operates owned café-bakehouse locations across major Indian metros and Dubai, complemented by direct-to-consumer e-commerce and food delivery partnerships.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Subko Cacao: Fine cacao brand featuring Pod-to-Bar philosophy with single origin terroir bars, dark/milk/white bars, big cubes, filled bars, experimental bars, and coated collection.
- SOPI
- Taufah
- Bloom School
- Subculture
- Subko X Thaely
Products and services
- Specialty Roasted Coffee Beans Specialty coffee beans roasted in-house under Arabica Q Grader supervision, sourced directly from estates across Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Meghalaya, Assam, Nagaland, Mizoram, Tripura, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. Available as single-origin microlots, experimentally processed coffees, and Project Pearl/Project 360 collaborations, priced from INR 895 to INR 1,300 per 250g across multiple grind sizes including Whole Bean, Pourover, Espresso, Moka Pot, and French Press. Targeted at urban home brewers and specialty coffee enthusiasts seeking SCA 85+ scoring standards.
- Subko Cacao - Pod-to-Bar Craft Chocolate Craft chocolate bars produced through a complete pod-to-bar process covering fermentation, roasting, and tempering. Range includes Single Origin Terroir Bars, Dark/Milk/White Bars, Big Cubes, Filled Bars, Experimental Bars, and The Coated Collection. Prices range from INR 130 for mini 15g bars to INR 695 for full 60g bars, with Terroir bars from INR 130-395, Dark/Milk/White bars from INR 130-400, Filled bars from INR 265-355, Big Cubes at INR 265, and Coated items from INR 530-800. Targeted at craft chocolate connoisseurs and gifting buyers.
- Craft Bakehouse Viennoiserie and Baked Goods Artisanal bakery programme featuring craft breads, viennoiserie, and Indian-ingredient-forward treats including 27-layer croissants. Production follows a micro-batch rustic baking philosophy with daily 5 AM starts to deliver fresh pastries and breads. Available for dine-in and takeaway at Subko café-bakehouse locations across Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Delhi, and Dubai. Baked goods are not shipped outside Mumbai.
- SOPI - Subcontinent Origin Pizza Initiative Sourdough pizza initiative combining Neapolitan and New York pizza styles with indigenous flavor explorations. Available at Subko café locations as part of the dining menu.
- Everyday Arabica Sneakers (Subko X Thaely) Limited edition sustainable sneakers co-developed with Thaely, made from spent coffee grounds, recycled plastic bottles, and upcycled plastic bags. Each pair is 100% vegan with recyclable plantable packaging. Priced at INR 8,500 per pair and limited to 250 pairs. Targeted at sustainable fashion consumers.
- Taufah Gift Boxes Bespoke gift bundles combining craft chocolates and specialty coffee for corporate gifting and personal celebrations. Available in small boxes (2-3 products) starting from INR 330 and larger boxes (4-6 products), with customizable options for bulk corporate orders handled via [email protected]. Targeted at corporate HR/admin teams and individual buyers seeking premium Indian-origin gifting solutions.
- Subculture Merchandise Branded merchandise including totes, ceramic ware, and collaborative photobooks (e.g., 'I Would Like A Croissant' with Rid Burman and 'Let's Chocolate' with Aniruddh Mehta / Studio Bigfat). Sold through the Subko e-commerce platform as part of the Subculture community platform showcasing Indian visual artists, designers, musicians, and social changemakers.
- Experiential Events and Workshops Ticketed experiential events and workshops including The Pod Experience (INR 945), DYOC Dip Your Own Cookie/Croissant (INR 395), MYOB Make Your Own Bar chocolate-making workshops, and Cacao Mill Tours (INR 1,299). Designed to create experiential touchpoints and drive revenue through ticket sales while building brand affinity.
Quantifiable outcome
- SCA 85+ scoring coffees from direct trade relationships
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Subko
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Subko technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Subko partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, notable and minor.
- Subko VLGE Cooperative (Tribal Farmers)corePartnership with tribal farmers in K. Thadiputtu village, Andhra Pradesh. The cooperative focuses on empowering tribal farmers, fostering community growth, and advancing coffee's fourth wave through direct trade, sustainability, and hyper-traceability.
- Ratnagiri EstatecoreProject Pearl - a microlot program featuring 8 microlots from Ratnagiri Estate, exclusive only to Subko, showcasing high-scoring experimentally processed coffees from the estate's legacy in Indian specialty coffee.
- Badra EstatesnotableProject 360 partnership with Badra Estates, established in 1936 by the Mammen family in Karnataka's Bababudan Giri hills. Badra is a pioneer in experimental coffee processing and sustainable farming practices.
- Riverdale EstatenotableSingle Origin Microlot project uniting Tamil legacy with specialty innovation, presenting experimentally processed coffees from one of Yercaud's pioneering estates.
- ThaelynotableCollaboration on Everyday Arabica Y2K Pro sneakers - a limited edition sustainable sneaker made from spent coffee grounds (25-45g per sole), 10 upcycled plastic bags, 12 recycled plastic bottles. 100% vegan with recyclable plantable packaging.
- Peter Cat Recording CompanyminorCollaboration on Beta Bites Eclair Toffee chocolates - a limited edition product inspired by the layered sonic warmth of the band, capturing feelings of modernity and nostalgia.
- Rid BurmanminorPhotographer collaboration on 'I Would Like A Croissant' and 'Let's Chocolate' photobooks capturing the craft and humanity at Subko.
- Aniruddh Mehta / Studio BigfatminorMultidisciplinary artist collaboration on 'Let's Chocolate' photobook and design work. Studio Bigfat has worked with Facebook, Puma, Apple, Gates Foundation, LVMH, and Subko.
- Studio SubstancecoreSubko's in-house creative studio responsible for brand design, merchandise design (including Everyday Arabica sneakers), and visual identity.
- Chef Prateek Sadhu / Project RootsminorCollaboration with Chef Prateek Sadhu on Project Roots, sourcing sea buckthorn from Leh/Ladakh for the Big Cube Almond Sea Buckthorn chocolate.
- Varanashi FarmsminorSingle origin cacao sourcing from Varanashi Farms in Mangalore, Karnataka for Terroir 72% Dark chocolate bars.
- Native FarmsminorSourcing of A2 Milk Powder from Gir Cows indigenous to the Indian Subcontinent at Native Farms, Maharashtra for The Classic One milk chocolate bar.
- ShopifycoreE-commerce platform powering Subko's online store with payment processing, order management, and shipping integrations.
- Bombay Shirt CompanynotableRetail partnership with Subko Mini outlets at multiple Bombay Shirt Company locations in Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Subko competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Third Wave Coffee: Indian specialty coffee chain operating cafés in major metros with in-house roasting and D2C. Closely comparable to Subko on café-bakehouse format, premium Indian specialty positioning, and metro-focused expansion.
- Rage Coffee: Indian specialty coffee brand primarily operating through D2C e-commerce and modern retail. Comparable on premium Indian specialty positioning, though more D2C-led and less café-focused than Subko.
- Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters: India's largest specialty coffee roaster with cafés across multiple metros and a parallel D2C e-commerce channel. Competes head-to-head with Subko on single-origin Indian specialty coffee, café experience, and direct-trade farmer relationships.
- Auro Chocolate: Indian craft chocolate maker specializing in single-origin bean-to-bar products. Directly comparable to Subko Cacao's pod-to-bar philosophy and India-origin chocolate positioning, though focused exclusively on chocolate with no café operations.
Broad incumbents
- % Arabica: Japanese-origin global specialty coffee chain with locations in Dubai and other international markets. Directly comparable as an international café benchmark for Subko's Dubai expansion and brand aesthetic.
- Cafe Coffee Day: India's largest domestic café chain with deep metro and tier-2 penetration. Operates an adjacent but more mass-market positioning to Subko's premium specialty focus.
- Starbucks India (Tata Starbucks): Joint venture between Tata and Starbucks operating the largest premium café chain in India. Competes for the same urban, affluent specialty coffee consumer that Subko targets, though at significantly larger scale and broader mass-premium positioning.
Emerging players
- Mason & Co: Emerging Indian specialty coffee and café brand operating in select metros. Comparable boutique café format and specialty coffee positioning, though at smaller scale than Subko.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Subko social profiles
Digital presenceSubko financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Subko leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Subko funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors5 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Subko M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Subko
What does Subko do?
Subko is a specialty coffee roastery and craft bakehouse that sources coffee beans directly from subcontinental estates, roasts them in-house under Arabica Q Grader supervision, and produces pod-to-bar craft chocolates, artisanal viennoiserie, and curated gift bundles. The company operates owned café-bakehouse locations across major Indian metros and Dubai, complemented by direct-to-consumer e-commerce and food delivery partnerships.
Is Subko a public or private company?
Subko is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Subko founded?
Subko was founded in 2020. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Subko based?
Subko is headquartered in Mumbai, India, in the Asia region.
How does Subko make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Specialty Coffee Product Sales are the primary driver. The others are craft Chocolate Sales, café and Bakehouse Operations, merchandise and Events and corporate Gifting (Taufah).
Who are Subko's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Third Wave Coffee, Rage Coffee, Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters and Auro Chocolate. Broad incumbents are % Arabica, Cafe Coffee Day and Starbucks India (Tata Starbucks). Mason & Co is listed as an emerging player.
Does Subko have an API?
No public API is recorded for Subko.
What industry is Subko in?
Subko's product category is Specialty Coffee & Craft Chocolate. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAFADAD, Espresso Bars & Coffee Bars, with a secondary code of THAJAGAH, Coffee, Tea & Cacao Experiences (Roastery Tours, Tastings). Its NAICS code is 722515 and its SIC code is 5810.