Aspire CoffeeWorks
Aspire CoffeeWorks is a Chicago-based social enterprise founded in 2009 that sells premium craft coffee (roasted by Metropolis Coffee Company) directly to consumers and offices, with adults with disabilities hand-labeling every bag and 100% of net proceeds funding Aspire's disability programs.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2009
- HeadquartersChicago, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Aspire CoffeeWorks does
Aspire CoffeeWorks is a Chicago-based private social enterprise founded in 2009 that manufactures and sells premium craft coffee through direct-to-consumer e-commerce, B2B wholesale and office coffee programs, and channel partnerships. The company is structured as a partnership between Aspire, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving people with disabilities since 1960, and Metropolis Coffee Company, an award-winning craft roaster (Micro-Roaster of the Year per Roast Magazine); adults with disabilities work at Metropolis' SQF-certified, Fair Trade certified roasterie to hand-label, pack, and ship every bag, and 100% of net proceeds flow to Aspire's disability programs. The product portfolio includes five core coffee SKUs (Bold Ambition, Everyday Inspiration, Enterprising Espresso, Dream Big Decaf, Possibilities) in 1lb/2lb/5lb sizes, complemented by bundles (Ben's Favorites, The Trio, Coffee & Candle, Coffee & Framed Art), Frac Packs for offices, branded merchandise, and digital gift cards priced from $17.95 to $55.00, with subscriptions and free shipping over $65. Distribution runs through the Shopify storefront, an enterprise field-sales motion targeting offices of all sizes (from small teams to enterprise campuses), and a channel partnership with Tradecraft Coffee & Tea (Canteen Refreshment Services / Compass Group North America). The company is very small (1-10 employees), with no disclosed revenue, funding rounds, or external equity ownership; inclusion-focused partnerships with Bank of America and Accenture Chicago provide enterprise visibility, and event-driven demand generation (lunch & learns, tastings, NRA Show) anchors community engagement.
Aspire CoffeeWorks firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Aspire CoffeeWorks
- Legal name
- Aspire CoffeeWorks
- Website
- https://aspirecoffeeworks.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2009
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Aspire CoffeeWorks is a Chicago-based social enterprise founded in 2009 that sells premium craft coffee (roasted by Metropolis Coffee Company) directly to consumers and offices, with adults with disabilities hand-labeling every bag and 100% of net proceeds funding Aspire's disability programs.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Aspire CoffeeWorks industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Specialty Coffee
- NAICS
- Coffee and Tea Manufacturing (311920)
- SIC
- Beverages (2080)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Instant Coffee & Coffee Extract Manufacturing (AFAFADAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech) (BPAGALAM), Specialty Coffee & Tea Retail (Beans, Leaves, Accessories) (CRAHAGAI)
Keywords
Where Aspire CoffeeWorks is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Chicago
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Aspire CoffeeWorks business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Direct Coffee Sales: Online sales of premium roasted coffee products to consumers and businesses through Shopify e-commerce platform. Products include whole bean and ground coffee in various sizes (1lb, 2lb, 5lb) and blends.
- Wholesale and Office Coffee Programs: B2B sales of coffee products to offices, cafes, restaurants, and shops through wholesale partnerships. Includes custom corporate gifting programs for clients, employees, and partners.
- Merchandise Sales: Sales of branded merchandise including t-shirts, baseball hats, and gift cards to supporters and customers.
- Social Impact Revenue Model: 100% of net proceeds from all product sales support Aspire's programs for people with disabilities, including employment training, independent living services, and disability support programs.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Bold Ambition French Roast - $17.95 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Dream Big Decaf - $18.95 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Enterprising Espresso - Variable pricing |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Everyday Inspiration - Variable pricing |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Possibilities Blend - $37.95 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Ben's Favorites Bundle - $32.00 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | The Trio - $45.00 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Coffee & Candle Gift Set - $42.00 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Frac Packs - $55.00 |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Gift Cards - $25, $50, $100 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | T-Shirt - $19.99 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Baseball Hat - $14.99 |
| Subscription | Monthly | Subscription (recurring deliveries) |
Go-to-market motion4 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels11 records
Aspire CoffeeWorks product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Aspire CoffeeWorks is a social enterprise coffee company founded in 2009 as a partnership between Aspire, a 501(c)3 nonprofit serving people with disabilities, and Metropolis Coffee Company. The company sells premium craft coffee direct-to-consumer through an online Shopify storefront and to businesses through office coffee programs, wholesale supply, and corporate gifting. Adult employees with disabilities hand-label and pack each coffee order, and 100% of net proceeds fund Aspire's disability programs and employment initiatives.
Product overview
Aspire CoffeeWorks is a social enterprise coffee company offering a portfolio of five core coffee products (Bold Ambition, Everyday Inspiration, Enterprising Espresso, Dream Big Decaf, and Possibilities) sold in 1 lb, 2 lb, and 5 lb bags. These are complemented by bundled offerings (Ben's Favorites Bundle, The Trio, Coffee & Candle Gift Set, Coffee & Framed Art, and Frac Packs), branded merchandise (T-shirts, baseball hats), and gift cards. The company also operates B2B wholesale and office coffee programs, as well as custom corporate gifting services. All products are roasted by Metropolis Coffee Company, Fair Trade certified, and roasted/packed in an SQF-certified facility. The company operates on Shopify's e-commerce platform.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Coffee Blends Premium craft coffee blends roasted by partner Metropolis Coffee Company, hand-labeled and packed by adults with disabilities as part of Aspire's employment programs. Sold to consumers and businesses.
- Coffee Bundles Curated multi-pack and gift bundles of Aspire CoffeeWorks blends, targeted at gift-giving occasions and at customers wanting to sample or stock multiple roasts.
- Branded Merchandise Coffee-related branded merchandise sold through the Aspire CoffeeWorks online store to support brand engagement and consumer gifting.
- Gift Cards Stored-value gift cards redeemable on Aspire CoffeeWorks online purchases, used for personal gifting and corporate gifts.
- Office Coffee Program Subscription-style supply of Aspire CoffeeWorks coffee for corporate offices, providing workplaces with ongoing craft coffee for employees while supporting the social enterprise mission.
- Wholesale Coffee Supply Bulk coffee supply for cafés, restaurants, and food service operators such as Tradecraft Coffee & Tea (Canteen/Compass Group), delivered with the social enterprise mission attached.
Quantifiable outcome
- 100% of net proceeds support disability programs including employment training, independent living services, and speech-assistive devices
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Aspire CoffeeWorks
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Aspire CoffeeWorks technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Aspire CoffeeWorks partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major, flagship and minor.
- Metropolis Coffee CompanycoreFounding partnership established in 2009. Metropolis provides craft roasting expertise using vintage equipment and has been named Micro-Roaster of the Year by Roast Magazine. Adults with disabilities work at Metropolis' roasterie to label, pack, and ship premium coffee products. Aspire CoffeeWorks coffee is roasted and packed in Metropolis' SQF-certified facility.
- AspirecoreAspire is a leading 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to expanding access, opportunity and support for people with disabilities since 1960. Aspire CoffeeWorks is a social enterprise formed by Aspire, and 100% of net proceeds support Aspire's programs and services for people with disabilities.
- Tradecraft Coffee & TeamajorTradecraft Coffee & Tea, part of Canteen Refreshment Services and Compass Group North America, provides distribution and amplification for Aspire CoffeeWorks to broader corporate accounts and foodservice establishments. They champion local craft coffee companies and hosted Aspire CoffeeWorks at the National Restaurant Association Show.
- Bank of AmericaflagshipSecond-year partnership for inclusion-focused events. Hosted Lunch & Learn with over 100 attendees from Bank of America's Disability Action Network. Aspire CoffeeWorks provides coffee service for the event while Bank of America provides audience and visibility for the partnership.
- Accenture ChicagomajorSecond-year partnership for Global Accessibility Awareness Day celebration. Aspire CoffeeWorks team shared mission, poured coffee, and participated in volunteer activities including packing snack bags for community children.
- Beloved BathminorPartner company that hand-crafts Coffee House candles (100% soy wax, lead/zinc-free) for the Coffee & Candle Gift Set. Beloved Bath supports employment of people with autism, aligning with Aspire's mission.
- Aspire Art360minorArt program within Aspire that creates artwork through adults with disabilities. Art Print 360 reproductions are bundled with coffee in the Coffee & Framed Art gift set, supporting both disability employment and artistic expression.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Aspire CoffeeWorks competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Stumptown Coffee Roasters: Specialty coffee roaster with strong DTC, wholesale, and foodservice distribution. Comparable in craft roasting, multi-channel (DTC + B2B + wholesale) model, and premium pricing strategy.
- Counter Culture Coffee: Specialty coffee roaster with direct-trade sourcing and a nationwide B2B/wholesale footprint. Comparable in craft roasting, sustainability certifications, and education/events-driven B2B sales motion.
- Intelligentsia Coffee: Chicago-based specialty coffee roaster with strong DTC, wholesale, and direct-trade positioning. Comparable in craft roasting, B2B office/café supply, and Chicago HQ, though without a social enterprise overlay.
- Metropolis Coffee Company: Chicago-based specialty coffee roaster and Aspire CoffeeWorks' founding roasting partner. Directly comparable in craft roasting, B2B/wholesale model, and Chicago market presence; serves as both supplier and closest operational peer.
- Grounds & Hounds Coffee Co. Social-enterprise DTC and B2B coffee brand donating proceeds to animal-welfare nonprofits. Comparable as a mission-driven specialty coffee company using 100% net proceeds donation model and direct-to-consumer + wholesale channels.
Emerging players
- Drink Good Coffee Do Good: Impact-focused specialty coffee brand with strong B2B/wholesale and office coffee distribution. Comparable as a smaller, mission-driven roaster competing in the office coffee and corporate gifting segments.
- Beloved Bath: Small mission-driven maker of hand-crafted soy candles employing people with autism; co-creator of Aspire's Coffee & Candle Gift Set. Comparable as a disability-mission-aligned small business and bundled product partner.
Broad incumbents
- Keurig Dr Pepper: Incumbent in office coffee via Keurig brewing systems and pod-based coffee. Comparable as the dominant competitor in the B2B office coffee segment Aspire CoffeeWorks targets.
- Blue Bottle Coffee: Large specialty coffee brand with DTC, wholesale, and café operations. Comparable in craft roasting and premium positioning, though significantly broader in scale and capital resources.
- Lavazza Professional: Office and out-of-home coffee solutions provider competing for the same enterprise office coffee RFPs as Aspire CoffeeWorks. Comparable as a broad incumbent in workplace coffee service contracts.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Aspire CoffeeWorks social profiles
Digital presenceAspire CoffeeWorks compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Aspire CoffeeWorks financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Aspire CoffeeWorks leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Aspire CoffeeWorks funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Aspire CoffeeWorks 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 Aspire CoffeeWorks
What does Aspire CoffeeWorks do?
Aspire CoffeeWorks is a social enterprise coffee company founded in 2009 as a partnership between Aspire, a 501(c)3 nonprofit serving people with disabilities, and Metropolis Coffee Company. The company sells premium craft coffee direct-to-consumer through an online Shopify storefront and to businesses through office coffee programs, wholesale supply, and corporate gifting. Adult employees with disabilities hand-label and pack each coffee order, and 100% of net proceeds fund Aspire's disability programs and employment initiatives.
Is Aspire CoffeeWorks a public or private company?
Aspire CoffeeWorks is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Aspire CoffeeWorks founded?
Aspire CoffeeWorks was founded in 2009. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Aspire CoffeeWorks based?
Aspire CoffeeWorks is headquartered in Chicago, United States, in the North America region.
How does Aspire CoffeeWorks make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Direct Coffee Sales are the primary driver. The others are wholesale and Office Coffee Programs, merchandise Sales and social Impact Revenue Model.
Who are Aspire CoffeeWorks's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Stumptown Coffee Roasters, Counter Culture Coffee, Intelligentsia Coffee, Metropolis Coffee Company and Grounds & Hounds Coffee Co.. Emerging players are Drink Good Coffee Do Good and Beloved Bath. Broad incumbents are Keurig Dr Pepper, Blue Bottle Coffee and Lavazza Professional.
Does Aspire CoffeeWorks have an API?
No public API is recorded for Aspire CoffeeWorks.
What industry is Aspire CoffeeWorks in?
Aspire CoffeeWorks's product category is Specialty Coffee. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAFADAD, Instant Coffee & Coffee Extract Manufacturing, with a secondary code of BPAGALAM, Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech). Its NAICS code is 311920 and its SIC code is 2080.