Araku Coffee
Araku Coffee is India's first terroir-mapped specialty coffee brand, sourcing single-origin Arabica from 30,200+ tribal farmers in Araku Valley. It sells premium coffee, brewing equipment, and gift boxes via D2C, flagship cafés, HORECA, and corporate gifting.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2017
- HeadquartersHyderabad, India
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Araku Coffee does
Araku Coffee is India's first terroir-mapped specialty coffee brand, operating as a private Indian company (Araku Originals Private Limited) under the Naandi Foundation. The company sources 100% Arabica single-origin coffee from the Araku Valley in Andhra Pradesh's Eastern Ghats, where it works with the SAMTFMACS cooperative of 30,200+ registered tribal farmers at elevations of 3,000-4,400 feet. Its core supply chain is built around the Arakunomics regenerative agriculture model, which integrates fair-trade, organic certification, and traceability from individual farm plots to final cup, winning the Rockefeller Foundation's Food System Vision Prize 2050. The portfolio spans core blends (Selection, Signature, Grand Reserve, Micro Climate, High Altitude), limited-edition NANOLOT and MICROLOT series, seasonal edits (Monsoon, Festive, Anniversary), single-serve Pocket Brew drip bags, brewing equipment (Moka Pot, AeroPress, Hario V60, ORIGAMI Dripper, Comandante grinder, Brewista kettle), serveware (Anderssen & Voll-designed cups and Fellow Carter Move Mug), and artisanal chocolates.
The business model operates through multiple revenue streams: direct-to-consumer e-commerce (arakucoffee.in), owned flagship cafés in Bangalore and Paris, planned Manhattan café in summer 2026, HORECA partnerships with 50+ premium accounts (JW Marriott, St. Regis, Six Senses, Leela, Prestige, Sodexo, Pret A Manger), corporate gifting (Dr. Reddy's, Mahindra, SAP), and education through AWSCA — India's first SCA Premier Training Campus. Pricing spans ₹760 (Selection 250g) to ₹10,000/kg (NANOLOT), with the brand consistently scoring 91/100 on the SCA cupping scale — a first for Indian coffee. The board is chaired by Anand Mahindra (Mahindra Group) with trustees Rajendra Prasad Maganti (Soma Enterprises), Satish Reddy (Dr. Reddy's), and Kris Gopalakrishnan (Infosys co-founder), and Manoj Kumar serves as CEO of the parent Naandi Foundation.
The go-to-market is hybrid: community-led through flagship café programming (workshops, lecture series like 'Grounds for Thought'), event-driven international expansion (Anand Mahindra's viral social media advocacy, planned NYC opening), D2C e-commerce, and enterprise field sales for HORECA and corporate gifting. Distribution includes marketplace (Flipkart), quick-commerce (Rapido), and direct B2B supply. Products are roasted to order with nitrogen-flushed packaging, and the company supports 100,000+ tribal farmer livelihoods while operating from a small corporate headcount of 11-50 employees.
Araku Coffee firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Araku Coffee
- Legal name
- Araku Originals Private Limited
- Website
- https://arakucoffee.in
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2017
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Araku Coffee is India's first terroir-mapped specialty coffee brand, sourcing single-origin Arabica from 30,200+ tribal farmers in Araku Valley. It sells premium coffee, brewing equipment, and gift boxes via D2C, flagship cafés, HORECA, and corporate gifting.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Araku Coffee industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Specialty Coffee
- NAICS
- Coffee and Tea Manufacturing (311920), Coffee and Tea Manufacturing (31192), Beverage Manufacturing (3121)
- SIC
- Beverages (2080), Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810), Retail-Eating Places (5812)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Specialty Coffee Shops (Single-Origin, Third-Wave) (THAFADAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Instant Coffee & Coffee Extract Manufacturing (AFAFADAD), Coffee Roasters with Cafe (Roastery Cafes) (THAFADAE), Coffee, Espresso & Tea Appliances Retail (CRACADAC)
Keywords
Where Araku Coffee is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Hyderabad
- HQ country
- India
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices4 records
Markets served
Araku Coffee business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Retail Coffee Sales: Direct-to-consumer sales of specialty coffee beans and ground coffee through owned e-commerce (arakucoffee.in) and physical café locations. Products include core blends (Selection, Signature, Grand Reserve, Micro Climate, High Altitude), limited editions (Monsoon Edit, Festive Edit, NANOLOT Series), and pocket brews.
- Brewing Equipment & Serveware: Sales of coffee brewing equipment including Moka Pots, AeroPress, Hario V60, grinders, kettles, and serveware (cups, mugs). Includes proprietary ARAKU-designed products like the Moka Pot with Anderssen & Voll collaboration.
- Corporate Gifting & Bulk Orders: B2B corporate gifting solutions with custom branding, bulk order discounts, and curated gift hampers. HORECA supply to hotels, restaurants, and cafés including barista training, equipment support, and menu development.
- SCA Training Programs: Revenue from the ARAKU World Specialty Coffee Academy (AWSCA) offering SCA-certified courses (Foundation, Intermediate, Professional levels) in Barista Skills, Brewing, Green Coffee, Roasting, and Sensory Skills. Courses earn points toward SCA Coffee Skills Diploma.
- Café Operations: Revenue from flagship cafés in Paris and Bangalore serving specialty coffee, fine food, organic wine, and books. Café spaces also host events, workshops, and the AWSCA training campus.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Core Coffee Blends (250g to 1kg) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | NANOLOT Series - Ultra Premium |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Limited Edition Seasonal Coffees |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Pocket Brew Single-Serve Drip Bags |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Brewing Equipment |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Serveware |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Gift Boxes |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Multi-year contract | Corporate Gifting & Bulk Orders |
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | SCA Training Courses |
Go-to-market motion4 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels6 records
Araku Coffee product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Araku Coffee fundamentally sources, roasts and sells single-origin specialty coffee beans and instant coffee grown by tribal farmer cooperatives in Araku Valley, India. It complements these packaged coffee products with curated specialty brewing equipment (such as Moka Pot and AeroPress) and operates retail cafes and training programs that showcase its origin story. Revenue is anchored in packaged coffee product sales to consumers, HORECA partners and corporate gifting customers.
Product overview
ARAKU Coffee is a specialty coffee company offering a comprehensive portfolio centered on 100% Arabica single-origin coffees from the Araku Valley in Andhra Pradesh, India. The product line includes core coffee offerings (Selection, Signature, Grand Reserve, Micro Climate, High Altitude), limited edition releases (NANOLOT Series, MICROLOT Series, Monsoon Edit, Summer Edit, Festive Edit), and convenient formats (Taste the Terroir Sampler Pack, Pocket Brew drip bag collections). The company also offers a curated range of brewing equipment (Moka Pot, AeroPress variants, Hario V60, ORIGAMI Dripper, Comandante Grinder, Brewista Kettle, Paragon Espresso Set), serveware (Latte Mugs, Espresso Cups, Cappuccino Cups, Huskee Cups, Sensory Flavour Cup, Fellow Carter Move Mug), and complementary food products (Chocolate Duo bars). The AWSCA provides SCA-certified coffee education. All products are supported by the company's Arakunomics regenerative agriculture model, with coffee consistently scoring above 90 on the 100-point specialty coffee scale.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Araku World Specialty Coffee Academy (AWSCA): India's first accredited Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) Premier Training Campus offering internationally recognised certificate courses for coffee professionals and enthusiasts.
Products and services
- Araku Coffee Whole Beans Single-origin roasted whole bean coffee grown by tribal farmer cooperatives in Araku Valley, sold to home-brewing consumers and specialty coffee enthusiasts through D2C and HORECA channels.
- Araku Coffee Powder (Ground Coffee) Pre-ground single-origin Araku coffee powder packaged for consumers preferring traditional filter or drip brewing methods.
- Araku Instant Coffee Premium instant coffee made from Araku Valley single-origin beans, packaged for convenient at-home and on-the-go consumption.
- Araku Limited Editions Reserve Coffee Limited-edition reserve single-origin coffee lots from Araku Valley, aimed at premium specialty coffee connoisseurs and collectors seeking scarcity and exceptional cup quality.
- Araku Coffee Brewing Equipment (Moka Pot, AeroPress, Filtron) Curated specialty coffee brewing equipment including Moka Pot, AeroPress and Filtron brewers, sold to home-brewing consumers alongside Araku coffee to enable authentic preparation.
- Araku Cafe (Retail Coffee Shops) Company-owned retail coffee shops serving freshly brewed Araku single-origin coffee along with light food, providing brand experience and direct customer engagement.
- HORECA Coffee Supply Bulk specialty coffee and brewing support supplied to hotels, restaurants and cafes, including barista training and menu story-telling assets for hospitality partners.
- Corporate Gifting Coffee Hampers Curated premium coffee gift hampers for corporate festive, employee and client gifting, available with customization and bulk-order fulfillment during seasonal peaks.
Quantifiable outcome
- SCA specialty coffee score of 91/100 - first for Indian coffee
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Araku Coffee
Customer profileNamed customers11 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Araku Coffee technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Araku Coffee partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and flagship.
- FlipkartminorE-commerce marketplace partnership to sell ARAKU products online, supporting rural women through market access initiatives on International Women's Day 2025.
- RapidominorDelivery partnership to enable quick commerce delivery of ARAKU products, with agreements to waive fees for women riders.
- MS Swaminathan Research FoundationminorPartnership to support rural women through training and market access, signed on International Women's Day 2025.
- Catalyst Management ServicesminorImplementation partner for women's empowerment programs including loans, training, and market access support.
- Anderssen & VollcoreNorwegian design duo (Torbjørn Anderssen and Espen Voll) collaborated with ARAKU to design the signature Moka Pot, espresso cups, cappuccino cups, and latte mugs. Products launched in France in 2017 and India in 2018. Designers have won Wallpaper Award, Red Dot Award, and IF Award.
- Naandi FoundationcoreNaandi Foundation is the parent organization that created Araku Coffee. CEO Manoj Kumar leads both organizations. Naandi transformed Araku Valley through regenerative agriculture, enabling 100,000 tribals to emerge out of poverty. The foundation developed the Arakunomics model and SAMTFMACS cooperative.
- FellowflagshipSan Francisco-based coffee equipment brand Fellow collaborated with ARAKU to create the ARAKU x Fellow Carter Move Mug. The travel mug features ARAKU's signature leaf motif, keeps coffee hot for 12 hours or cold for 24 hours, and is sold exclusively through ARAKU stores.
- Artisan:re (RPG Foundation)minorArtisan:re is a visionary initiative by the RPG Foundation transforming agriculture in Vidarbha and Telangana by empowering 1,000+ farmers with regenerative techniques. Collaboration on sustainable organic cotton canvas tote bags for ARAKU.
- unLectureminorEvent startup partnered with Blue Tokai (and indirectly with ARAKU) for 'Grounds for Thought' series hosting 15 sessions over four months with 30-60 attendees each. Aims to reclaim cafés as community hubs for intellectual engagement.
- JW MarriottflagshipHORECA partnership for specialty coffee supply to JW Marriott hotels across India.
- St. Regis HotelsflagshipHORECA partnership for specialty coffee supply to St. Regis luxury hotels.
- Six Senses HotelsflagshipHORECA partnership for specialty coffee supply to Six Senses wellness hotels.
- Specialty Coffee Association (SCA)coreSCA is the non-profit organization representing coffee professionals worldwide. ARAKU hosts India's first SCA Premier Training Campus (AWSCA) offering internationally recognized certificate courses.
- Prestige GroupminorHORECA partnership for specialty coffee supply to Prestige Group hospitality properties.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves10 records
Expansion highlights8 records
Araku Coffee competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters: India's largest specialty coffee roaster and café chain, also offering single-origin Indian coffees, brewing equipment, and HORECA supply. Most directly comparable to Araku given similar DTC, café, and B2B go-to-market in the Indian specialty coffee segment.
- Third Wave Coffee: Indian specialty coffee chain operating cafés across major cities with single-origin sourcing, brewing equipment retail, and training programs. Comparable in business model and target segment, with more aggressive café expansion.
- Devan's Coffee: Indian specialty coffee roaster selling single-origin Indian beans with comparable café and DTC operations. Direct competitor in the Indian specialty coffee consumer segment.
- Counter Culture Coffee: US specialty coffee roaster known for direct-trade sourcing, sustainability focus, and SCA-aligned training programs. Comparable in mission-driven sourcing, education focus, and B2B/DTC distribution.
Broad incumbents
- Blue Bottle Coffee: Established US specialty coffee chain offering single-origin, freshly roasted coffee with strong café retail footprint. Comparable as a third-wave specialty coffee brand at much larger scale, serving as a reference point for Araku's NYC ambitions.
- Stumptown Coffee Roasters: Established US specialty coffee roaster with cafés, DTC e-commerce, and HORECA partnerships. Comparable business model at larger scale and an aspirational reference for Araku's international expansion.
- La Colombe Coffee Roasters: US specialty coffee roaster and café operator with extensive HORECA partnerships and DTC offerings. Comparable in multi-channel specialty coffee distribution and café operations.
- Tata Coffee: India's largest coffee producer with extensive estate operations, B2B supply, and growing specialty presence. Comparable as an Indian-origin coffee supplier but at significantly larger scale with different corporate structure.
Others
- Naandi Foundation: Parent non-profit of Araku Coffee that operates the Arakunomics farmer empowerment model. Not a peer but the foundational organization through which Araku operates, providing cooperative supply infrastructure.
- Specialty Coffee Association: Global non-profit that sets specialty coffee standards and certifies training programs. Not a commercial peer but a critical enabler of Araku's quality positioning (91/100 scores) and AWSCA training academy partnership.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses2 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Araku Coffee social profiles
Digital presenceAraku Coffee compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance6 records
Araku Coffee financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Araku Coffee leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Araku Coffee funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Araku Coffee 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 Araku Coffee
What does Araku Coffee do?
Araku Coffee fundamentally sources, roasts and sells single-origin specialty coffee beans and instant coffee grown by tribal farmer cooperatives in Araku Valley, India. It complements these packaged coffee products with curated specialty brewing equipment (such as Moka Pot and AeroPress) and operates retail cafes and training programs that showcase its origin story. Revenue is anchored in packaged coffee product sales to consumers, HORECA partners and corporate gifting customers.
Is Araku Coffee a public or private company?
Araku Coffee is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Araku Coffee founded?
Araku Coffee was founded in 2017. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Araku Coffee based?
Araku Coffee is headquartered in Hyderabad, India, in the Asia region.
How does Araku Coffee make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Retail Coffee Sales are the primary driver. The others are brewing Equipment & Serveware, corporate Gifting & Bulk Orders, SCA Training Programs and café Operations.
Who are Araku Coffee's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters, Third Wave Coffee, Devan's Coffee and Counter Culture Coffee. Broad incumbents are Blue Bottle Coffee, Stumptown Coffee Roasters, La Colombe Coffee Roasters and Tata Coffee. Others are Naandi Foundation and Specialty Coffee Association.
Does Araku Coffee have an API?
No public API is recorded for Araku Coffee.
What industry is Araku Coffee in?
Araku Coffee's product category is Specialty Coffee. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAFADAA, Specialty Coffee Shops (Single-Origin, Third-Wave), with a secondary code of AFAFADAD, Instant Coffee & Coffee Extract Manufacturing. Its NAICS code is 311920 and its SIC code is 2080.