Sprudge

What Sprudge does

Sprudge is a privately held, independent digital media company founded in 2009 and headquartered in Portland, Oregon, that publishes original journalism covering the specialty coffee industry. Its product surface is a WordPress-based multimedia platform at sprudge.com delivering news articles, long-form features, city and brew guides, explainers, podcasts (Coffee Sprudgecast), a Substack newsletter, and an events calendar. The company also operates adjacent editorial properties including the Special Projects Desk (presented by La Marzocco), Build-Outs of Coffee, Green Room (importer intelligence), Sprudge Twenty, and the Sprudgie Awards and Sprudge Design Awards recognition programs.

The company's underlying technology is a standard WordPress content management system with multimedia distribution, supplemented by a podcast feed, a Substack newsletter integration, an Apple Maps data/content partnership (Sprudge Maps), an e-commerce storefront (Sprudge Shop), and a job board (Sprudge Jobs). There is no proprietary technology, no patents or trademarks, and no software product sold to customers; the primary technology asset is the editorial content library and the distribution integrations.

Sprudge's business model is B2B content-led media, monetized primarily through display and banner advertising and sponsored content from coffee industry brands (equipment manufacturers, roasters, importers, and adjacent beverage/chocolate brands). Secondary revenue streams include paid job postings on Sprudge Jobs, newsletter sponsorship via Substack, and limited commerce through the Sprudge Shop. The audience is split between coffee industry professionals (baristas, cafe owners, roasters, importers) and specialty coffee enthusiasts and travelers seeking city guides and gear recommendations. With a stated headcount of 1–10 employees and no disclosed funding, Sprudge operates as a small, founder-controlled niche publisher rather than a venture-backed media business.

Name

Sprudge

Legal name

Sprudge Media

Website

https://sprudge.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Sprudge is a privately held, independent digital media company founded in 2009 in Portland, Oregon, that publishes specialty coffee journalism, podcasts, city guides, and industry awards, monetized through advertising, sponsorships, and commerce aimed at coffee professionals and enthusiasts.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Specialty Coffee Media

NAICS

Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services (5418)

SIC

Periodicals: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2721)

akta.pro primary industry

Podcast Networks & Multi-Show Publishers (MPACADAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Coffee, Tea & Cacao Experiences (Roastery Tours, Tastings) (THAJAGAH)

Keywords

• Specialty coffee media
• Coffee industry journalism
• Coffee news publication
• Specialty coffee content
• Coffee industry events coverage

Headquarters

HQ city

Portland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Advertising and Sponsorships: Display advertising and sponsored content from coffee industry brands including equipment manufacturers, roasters, and importers
2. Newsletter Subscription: Free and paid newsletter content via Substack
3. Job Listings: Sprudge Jobs division posting coffee industry employment opportunities
4. Event Partnerships: Sponsorship and coverage of coffee industry events and competitions

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Sprudge is a specialty coffee media network publishing original journalism, podcasts, city guides, build-out features, and industry event coverage for the global specialty coffee industry. The platform distributes editorial content through its website, newsletter (Substack), Coffee Sprudgecast podcast, and integrated Apple Maps coffee guides, monetizing primarily through advertising, sponsorships, and event partnerships with coffee equipment manufacturers, roasters, and importers.

Product overview

Sprudge is a specialty coffee media network offering a comprehensive content platform focused on coffee news, travel, and buying guides. The core offering consists of the main Sprudge website providing daily coffee industry news, features, and editorial content, supplemented by Sprudge Maps (integrated with Apple Maps for location-based coffee guides), the Coffee Sprudgecast podcast series, and the Special Projects Desk editorial content. The portfolio includes the Sprudge Shop for e-commerce, Sprudge Jobs for industry employment, Roasters Village for roaster showcases, and the Sprudge Events Calendar for global coffee events. Additional features include Build-Outs of Coffee (cafe design documentation), Sprudgie Awards and Sprudge Design Awards (industry recognition), City Guides and Brew Guides (educational content), Coffee Gear and Explainers (industry coverage), Ready-To-Drink Coffee coverage, Press Releases distribution, and Green Room (green coffee importer intelligence). Sprudge Twenty provides annual industry influence rankings. Together these products form a multimedia ecosystem serving specialty coffee professionals and enthusiasts.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Coffee Sprudgecast: Podcast covering coffee culture, interviews, and industry news.
• Special Projects Desk
• Sprudgie Awards
• Sprudge Design Awards
• Coffee Gear
• Sprudge Jobs
• Sprudge Maps

Products and services

• Sprudge Coffee News, Travel & Buying Guides
• Coffee Sprudgecast
• Special Projects Desk
• Sprudge Maps
• Sprudge Jobs
• Sprudge Shop
• Sprudgie Awards
• Sprudge Design Awards
• Sprudge Events Calendar
• Green Room

Named customers12 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Partnerships

48 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.

• La MarzoccoflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerLa Marzocco presents the Special Projects Desk, a long-form journalism series featuring origin stories and deep industry features. Additional banner advertising partnership across the site.
• DONAcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBanner advertising sponsor for chai and tea products, appearing throughout the site with various campaign themes including honey, matcha, turmeric, and rose flavors.
• MiiRcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBanner advertising sponsor for precision coffee gear including the Tomo thermos, pourigami, and new standard collection products.
• AcaiacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBanner advertising partner for coffee scales and brewing equipment including Pearl model and Pyxis products.
• BaratzacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBanner advertising partner for coffee grinders featuring Vario and Encore ESP Pro models.
• 8th & RoastcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFeatured in Roaster's Village showcasing Elefante El Salvador coffee. Long-term sourcing relationship with Rodriguez family at Finca Nejapa.
• Atlas Coffee ImporterscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGreen Room partner showcasing Q Arabica Grader courses and educational content. World of Coffee event presence.
• Cafe ImportscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGreen Room partner with presence at World of Coffee Brussels featuring cuppings and industry events.
• Royal CoffeecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGreen Room partner publishing industry intelligence reports including 'What Does Direct Trade Actually Mean?' content series.
• Swiss WatercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGreen Room partner featuring Verdant Reserves program and decaffeination educational content.
• Stumptown Coffee RoasterscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerRoaster's Village partner featuring Wild Flower seasonal blend and banner advertising.
• Verve Coffee RoasterscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerRoaster's Village partner featuring Wilder Blend. Also featured in Coffee Gear section with Dwell Dripper brewer.
• Onyx Coffee LabcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerRoaster's Village partner featuring Geometry blend and single origin collections.
• Joe Coffee CompanycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerRoaster's Village partner featuring Cafe Feminista program highlighting women producers.
• Klatch CoffeeflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerRoaster's Village partner with exclusive access to award-winning Panama Geisha lots from Hacienda La Esmeralda. Banner advertising partner.
• Night Swim CoffeecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerRoaster's Village partner featuring Yessica and Diego Parra coffee from Colombia.
• Olympia Coffee RoastingcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerRoaster's Village partner featuring Big Truck flagship blend. Wholesale banner advertising partner.
• CovoyacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGreen Room partner showcasing Guatemala fresh crop arrivals and specialty coffee sourcing.
• SLOW POUR SUPPLYcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBanner advertising partner featuring Kimera milk pitcher and origami brewer products.
• Apple Inc.flagshipTechnology or IntegrationSprudge selected as coffee guides provider for Apple Maps, integrating city guides into native iOS/macOS map experience.
• ModbarcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBanner advertising partner for espresso machine technology.
• Flair EspressocoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBanner advertising and Coffee Gear feature partner for Flair 58 Plus 2 and Wizard stovetop steamer.
• BOOKOOcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBanner advertising and Coffee Gear feature partner for espresso tools including Puckgo 3-in-1 tamper and Themis Ultra scale.
• Partners Coffee RoasterscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerRoaster's Village partner featuring Edin Lopez Gesha from Honduras.
• PERC CoffeecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerRoaster's Village partner featuring Super Power Plum coffee from Diego Bermudez.
• Phil & SebastiancoreGTM or Marketing PartnerRoaster's Village partner featuring Sure Thing blend from Honduras.
• Portland Coffee RoasterscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerRoaster's Village partner featuring OPBEANS collaboration with Oregon Public Broadcasting.
• Presta Coffee RoasterscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerRoaster's Village partner featuring rare Yemen coffees from Al-Khanshali Estate and Peru Gesha offerings.
• Blueprint CoffeecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerRoaster's Village partner featuring Timespan dark roast and Nidia Lasso Boutique Series Colombia.
• Caffé UmbriacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerRoaster's Village partner featuring Bizzarri Blend for milk-based drinks.
• Equator CoffeescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerRoaster's Village partner featuring Ecuador La Carolina Sidra coffee.
• La Barba CoffeecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerRoaster's Village partner featuring Ethiopia Musa Abalulesa Honey process coffee.
• Mr. EspressocoreGTM or Marketing PartnerRoaster's Village partner featuring Java Garut natural process coffee and Sumatra Jasmine co-ferment.
• Madcap CoffeecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerRoaster's Village partner featuring Eureka blend.
• Mill City RoasterscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBanner advertising partner for M-Series coffee roasters.
• CxffeeblackcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBanner advertising partner celebrating Black coffee professionals and supply chains.
• ColdPerkcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBanner advertising partner for Commissary 70 high-volume coffee extraction system.
• DriposcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBanner advertising partner for point-of-sale systems built for coffee shops.
• ComandantecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCoffee Gear feature partner for C40 Lab Series Hammerhead hand grinder.
• HariocoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCoffee Gear feature partner for V60 Simply Glass pour-over kit.
• Hemro GroupcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as Proudly Partnered With brand.
• GhirardellicoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBanner advertising partner for chocolate products used in coffee drinks.
• Hollander ChocolatecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as Proudly Partnered With brand.
• Rishi Tea & BotanicalscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBanner advertising partner for London Fog concentrate and tea products.
• Pacific Barista SeriescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBanner advertising partner for plant-based milk products.
• noissuecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBanner advertising partner for sustainable packaging solutions.
• Created Co.coreGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as Proudly Partnered With brand.
• ecotactcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as Proudly Partnered With brand for sustainable packaging.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Direct peers

• Perfect Daily Grind: Specialty coffee news and features platform covering baristas, roasters, and equipment — overlaps Sprudge's audience of coffee professionals and competes for the same coffee-brand advertisers.
• Daily Coffee News (Roast Magazine): Long-running coffee industry news outlet covering the North American specialty coffee sector with similar B2B advertiser base as Sprudge.
• Barista Magazine: Print and digital coffee industry magazine targeting baristas and cafe operators — directly competes with Sprudge for premium coffee brand sponsorships and reader attention.
• Coffee Review: Coffee reviews and ratings publication serving specialty coffee consumers and professionals — overlaps with Sprudge's buying guide and gear review content.

Broad incumbents

• Specialty Coffee Association (SCA): Trade association publishing industry resources, event coverage, and educational content — broader incumbent that competes for specialty coffee mindshare but operates a wider portfolio beyond media.

Emerging players

• The Coffeevine: Coffee subscription and city-guide platform with editorial content — partial overlap with Sprudge's city guides and Sprudge Shop offering.

Regional players

• Bean Scene Magazine: Australian specialty coffee publication with similar editorial coverage of cafes, roasters, and baristas — comparable offering but focused on the APAC region rather than Sprudge's global US-anchored audience.

Others

• Tea Journey: Independent beverage media publication focused on specialty tea — adjacent editorial model and audience overlap with Sprudge's occasional tea coverage (e.g., DONA, Rishi Tea partnerships).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/sprudge
• Facebookfacebook.com/frothygossip
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sprudge
• Instagraminstagram.com/sprudge

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Sprudge