Alpine Start Foods
Alpine Start Foods is a Boulder, Colorado-based premium instant coffee brand serving outdoor adventurers, busy parents, and travelers with 100% Colombian Arabica single-serve packets, bulk bags, dairy-free lattes, and adjacent beverages sold DTC, at REI and Public Lands, and via Amazon.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersBoulder, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Alpine Start Foods does
Alpine Start Foods is a Boulder, Colorado-based privately held CPG company that designs, markets, and distributes premium instant coffee and adjacent functional beverages built primarily for outdoor adventurers and on-the-go consumers. Its core technology is an instant coffee formulation made from 100% Colombian Arabica beans that dissolves in hot or cold water within seconds without clumps or grounds, with the company claiming the product beat Starbucks brewed coffee 2-to-1 in taste tests. The portfolio spans single-serve packets, 30-serving bulk bags, dairy-free coffee-and-creamer and dirty chai instant lattes, and a recently launched dairy-free oat-milk hot cocoa, complemented by a 2023 co-branded TINCUP instant cocktail mix line and apparel/gear SKUs. The company is co-owned and operated by a small team (1–10 employees) including founder/brand lead Matt Segal (a professional climber) and CEO Mike Crouch.
Alpine Start earns revenue through a mix of one-time DTC e-commerce sales on its Shopify storefront, a recurring Loop Subscriptions auto-ship program offering 5% off, omnichannel retail distribution through REI and all 7 Public Lands stores, marketplace listings on Amazon, and wholesale through the Faire platform and direct email orders. Pricing is unit-based ($9.99 for single-serve boxes, $19.99 for 30-serving bulk bags, ~$42 for 50-serving Guide Packs, $13.99–$15.99 for TINCUP cocktail mixes) with bundle discounts up to 20%, free shipping over $35, and a $3 trial offer to drive first-purchase conversion. The company has accumulated 5M+ cups sold since founding and claims usage on 80+ Everest and K2 summits.
The business has been primarily bootstrapped, with only ~$1.25M in disclosed funding across a 2017 $1M Slow Ventures seed and a 2019 $250K round, and has built brand credibility through sustainability credentials (Climate Neutral Certified 2022, 1% for the Planet member since 2018, Protect Our Winters partner, Fair Trade Certified whole beans), ambassador and steward programs, and co-branded collaborations with The North Face and TINCUP. Operating geographies include the United States as the core market, with select international reach through Amazon and wholesale channels.
Alpine Start Foods firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Alpine Start Foods
- Legal name
- Alpine Start, Inc
- Website
- https://alpinestartfoods.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Alpine Start Foods is a Boulder, Colorado-based premium instant coffee brand serving outdoor adventurers, busy parents, and travelers with 100% Colombian Arabica single-serve packets, bulk bags, dairy-free lattes, and adjacent beverages sold DTC, at REI and Public Lands, and via Amazon.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Alpine Start Foods industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Premium Instant Coffee
- NAICS
- Coffee and Tea Manufacturing (311920)
- SIC
- Beverages (2080)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Instant Coffee & Coffee Extract Manufacturing (AFAFADAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Powdered & Instant Beverage Mix Manufacturing (Drink Mixes) (AFAFABAL), Instant Tea, Tea Extracts & Concentrates Manufacturing (AFAFADAH)
Keywords
Where Alpine Start Foods is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Boulder
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Alpine Start Foods business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Direct Product Sales: One-time purchase of individual coffee packets, bulk bags, bundles, and gear items. Products include Original Blend ($9.99), Bulk 30-serving bags ($19.99), Guide Packs ($42), and TINCUP cocktail mixes ($13.99-$15.99).
- Subscription/Auto-Ship: Recurring subscription model with flexible delivery frequencies (every 2, 4, 6, or 8 weeks). Subscribers receive 5% discount on regular prices.
- Wholesale: Bulk orders to retail partners and guiding services through Faire platform or direct email orders.
- Marketplace Sales: Sales through Amazon marketplace for select products.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Original Blend Medium Roast Instant Coffee |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Dairy-Free Latte Variants |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Multi-Pack Bundles |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Guide Pack (50 servings) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Big Guide Vibes (150 servings) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | TINCUP X Alpine Start Cocktail Mixes |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Gear and Merchandise |
| Subscription | Monthly | Subscription Model |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
Alpine Start Foods product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Alpine Start Foods manufactures and sells premium instant coffee and beverage products made from 100% Colombian Arabica beans, including Original Blend instant coffee, dairy-free lattes, dirty chai, hot cocoa, and TINCUP co-branded instant cocktail mixes. Products dissolve in hot or cold water in seconds and are packaged for portability, targeting outdoor adventurers, travelers, and on-the-go consumers. The brand also sells branded apparel, gear, and a print magazine (Brine).
Product overview
Alpine Start Foods is a Boulder, Colorado-based food and beverage company specializing in premium instant coffee and functional drink products designed primarily for outdoor adventurers, campers, and on-the-go consumers. The core product portfolio consists of instant coffee and latte mixes made from 100% Colombian Arabica beans — including the Original Blend (available as single-serve packets, bulk 30-serving bags, and bundle packs), Dairy-Free Coffee + Creamer Instant Latte, and Dairy-Free Dirty Chai Tea Instant Latte — complemented by a recently launched dairy-free Hot Cocoa. The company has also expanded into TINCUP X Alpine Start branded instant cocktail mixers (Old Fashioned, Hot Toddy, and Pear Cider), sold individually or as a bundle. Beyond beverages, the product line encompasses apparel and gear (hoodies, t-shirts, neck gaiters, mugs), branded publications (Brine Magazine), and bulk/group packages for professional guides. The company holds Climate Neutral Certification, is a member of 1% for the Planet and Protect Our Winters, and sources Fair Trade Certified beans for its whole bean coffee.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Alpine Finish: A line of instant cocktail mixers developed in partnership with TINCUP whiskey, featuring Old Fashioned, Hot Toddy, and Pear Cider flavors.
Products and services
- Original Blend Medium Roast Instant Coffee (Single Serve Packets) Single-serve instant coffee packets made from 100% Colombian Arabica beans, designed for on-the-go use; add 8 fl oz of hot or cold water.
- Original Blend 30-Serving Bulk Bag A bulk 30-serving bag of the original blend instant coffee for home, camping, or group use; 120 mg caffeine per serving.
- Dairy-Free Coffee + Creamer Instant Latte Instant latte mix combining 100% Colombian Arabica coffee with coconut-based non-dairy creamer; vegan and ready in seconds with hot water.
- Dairy-Free Dirty Chai Tea Instant Latte Dairy-free instant dirty chai latte powder combining Colombian Arabica coffee, traditional chai spices, black tea, and soy milk; 110 mg caffeine per serving.
- Hot Cocoa A dairy-free and vegan hot cocoa mix made with organic oat milk, sold in packs of five individually wrapped servings.
- Instant Coffee Multi-Pack & Variety Pack A curated bundle of three instant coffee packs combining Original Blend, Coffee + Creamer, and Dirty Chai varieties at a discounted price.
- Try 3 for $3 Sampler A sampler pack offering three single-serve instant coffee sticks at $3 (customer pays only shipping); limited to one order per customer in the USA.
Quantifiable outcome
- Beat Starbucks brewed coffee 2 to 1 in blind taste tests
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Alpine Start Foods
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Alpine Start Foods technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Alpine Start Foods partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.
- TINCUP WhiskeycoreCo-developed Alpine Finish instant cocktail mix line featuring Old Fashioned, Hot Toddy, and Spiked Pear Cider varieties. Each pack makes 5 cocktails. A portion of proceeds benefits Leave No Trace outdoor conservation nonprofit. Partnership enables Alpine Start brand extension into evening/adventure beverage market.
- The North FaceflagshipCo-branded Logo Hoodie featuring The North Face quality with Alpine Start woven patch. Premium co-marketing collaboration targeting shared outdoor enthusiast customer base.
- Public LandscoreOutdoor specialty retail chain by Dick's Sporting Goods with 7 store locations. Features top outdoor brands and supports local outdoor communities through conservation and access initiatives.
- Access FundminorNational climbing advocacy organization. Alpine Start sponsors the Climber Stewards program serving coffee at trailheads in New River Gorge and Indian Creek. 4,000+ cups served since partnership began in 2022.
- 1% for the PlanetminorEnvironmental giving initiative. Alpine Start has been a member since 2018, donating 1% of all sales to support environmental causes.
- Protect Our Winters (POW)minorFoundation partner supporting climate advocacy. Matt Segal has traveled to DC to lobby on behalf of the outdoor community. 2019 limited edition 'coffee for the climate' release donated $1 per box to POW.
- Climate NeutralminorAchieved Climate Neutral Certified status in 2022. Measured 2021 emissions, offset entirely through carbon credits and renewable energy projects. Working to reduce future emissions.
- Fair Trade USAminorWhole bean coffee uses 100% Fair Trade Certified beans, ethically sourced from South America and Africa. Fair Trade certification ensures fair prices for farmers and environmental sustainability.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights7 records
Alpine Start Foods competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Four Sigmatic: Four Sigmatic is a premium DTC instant coffee and functional beverage brand best known for mushroom-infused coffee. It shares Alpine Start's premium-instant positioning, direct-to-consumer motion with subscription, and wellness/functional SKU strategy, making it the closest comparable in this niche.
- Waka Coffee & Tea: Waka is a premium instant coffee brand selling single-origin Arabica instant coffee in stick-pack and pouch formats directly to consumers. It competes head-to-head with Alpine Start on product format (stick packets, Colombian Arabica), price point, and DTC channel.
- Sudden Coffee: Sudden Coffee is a single-serve premium instant coffee brand focused on barista-quality soluble coffee. It targets the same convenience-premium consumer with similar single-serve stick packaging and DTC/subscription economics.
- Jot Coffee: Jot Coffee is a premium ultra-concentrated instant coffee brand sold in liquid drops and craft coffee formats. It overlaps Alpine Start on premium instant positioning, DTC-first motion, and design-forward branding aimed at modern coffee drinkers.
Emerging players
- Cometeer: Cometeer offers flash-frozen single-serve coffee 'pucks' positioned as barista-quality at home. While using frozen liquid rather than soluble powder, it directly competes for the same 'premium coffee without the gear' use case Alpine Start serves for outdoor and on-the-go consumers.
Broad incumbents
- Starbucks VIA Instant: Starbucks VIA is the mass-market instant coffee product of a global coffee giant. It competes in the same single-serve instant stick category as Alpine Start, with vastly larger distribution, brand recognition, and shelf placement across grocery and convenience channels.
- Nescafé (Nestlé): Nescafé is the global leader in instant coffee with broad portfolio (Taster's Choice, Clasico, Dolce Gusto). It competes with Alpine Start at the commodity and premium instant tiers, leveraging massive distribution and marketing budgets that Alpine Start cannot match.
- La Colombe: La Colombe is a premium specialty coffee roaster with DTC, retail, foodservice, and RTD (draft latte) distribution. While not an instant coffee specialist, it competes for premium coffee occasions and share-of-wallet from the same target consumer Alpine Start addresses.
- Blue Bottle Coffee: Blue Bottle is a premium specialty coffee brand with DTC, cafés, and ready-to-drink offerings. Although focused on brewed/whole bean, it has begun exploring instant formats and competes with Alpine Start for the high-end 'specialty at home' consumer and shelf space at premium retailers.
Regional players
- Steepologie: Steepologie is a tea and coffee lifestyle brand with a focus on high-quality instant and loose-leaf formats. It overlaps Alpine Start's instant beverage positioning and outdoor/health-conscious aesthetic, primarily via DTC and specialty retail.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Alpine Start Foods social profiles
Digital presenceAlpine Start Foods compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
Alpine Start Foods financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Alpine Start Foods leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Alpine Start Foods funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors2 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Alpine Start Foods 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 Alpine Start Foods
What does Alpine Start Foods do?
Alpine Start Foods manufactures and sells premium instant coffee and beverage products made from 100% Colombian Arabica beans, including Original Blend instant coffee, dairy-free lattes, dirty chai, hot cocoa, and TINCUP co-branded instant cocktail mixes. Products dissolve in hot or cold water in seconds and are packaged for portability, targeting outdoor adventurers, travelers, and on-the-go consumers. The brand also sells branded apparel, gear, and a print magazine (Brine).
Is Alpine Start Foods a public or private company?
Alpine Start Foods is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Alpine Start Foods founded?
Alpine Start Foods was founded in 2016. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Alpine Start Foods based?
Alpine Start Foods is headquartered in Boulder, United States, in the North America region.
How does Alpine Start Foods make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Direct Product Sales are the primary driver. The others are subscription/Auto-Ship, wholesale and marketplace Sales.
Who are Alpine Start Foods's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Four Sigmatic, Waka Coffee & Tea, Sudden Coffee and Jot Coffee. Cometeer is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are Starbucks VIA Instant, Nescafé (Nestlé), La Colombe and Blue Bottle Coffee. Steepologie is listed as a regional player.
Does Alpine Start Foods have an API?
No public API is recorded for Alpine Start Foods.
What industry is Alpine Start Foods in?
Alpine Start Foods's product category is Premium Instant Coffee. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAFADAD, Instant Coffee & Coffee Extract Manufacturing, with a secondary code of AFAFABAL, Powdered & Instant Beverage Mix Manufacturing (Drink Mixes). Its NAICS code is 311920 and its SIC code is 2080.