The Espresso Lab

What The Espresso Lab does

The Espresso Lab is a Dubai-based specialty coffee roastery, retailer, and café operator founded in 2015 by Emirati entrepreneur Ibrahim Al Malkawi. The legal entity — THE ESPRESSO LAB ROASTERY L.L.C. — is headquartered in Al Quoz Logistics Park, Dubai, and operates an estimated seven café/roastery locations across the UAE: three in Dubai (Al Quoz roastery, Dubai Design District, Nad Al Sheba), three in Abu Dhabi (Qasr Al Hisn, Al Mushrif/The Arcades), and a new Sharjah location opening July 2025 at Sharjah Asset Management headquarters. The company also runs a multi-currency direct-to-consumer e-commerce store (AED, USD, EUR, CNY) with international shipping.

The product portfolio is anchored on single-origin specialty coffee beans sourced from elite producers across Ethiopia, Panama, Brazil, Kenya, Colombia, Honduras, El Salvador, Indonesia, and Guatemala, organized into Signature (rare auction lots, up to 4,120 AED per 100-200g bag), Voyage (rotating origin selections), Habitual (daily-consumption, ~75-100 AED), and convenience formats including capsules and drip bags. Supporting lines include third-party specialty equipment (Meraki espresso carts at 14,227.50 AED, Varia grinders, Hario cupping tools) and the proprietary Jasmine Cup and Jasmine Server — a patented heat-resistant glass vessel with an auto-aeration mechanism that won the Specialty Coffee Association Coffee Design Award 2023. Vertically, the company owns Finca Rasha, a coffee farm at 1,600m elevation in Panama, giving it upstream origin integration alongside direct trade relationships with twenty-plus named elite producers including Lamastus, Hacienda La Esmeralda, Café Granja La Esperanza, Bambito, Kotowa, Testi, Alo Coffee, Carmo, and Caballero.

Revenue is generated through three channels: DTC e-commerce at unit-based pricing across curated collections, a B2B wholesale program (theespressolab.com/wholesale-login-page) supplying cafes and retailers with rare beans and multi-year partnership terms, and in-cafe sales across UAE locations. The customer base consists primarily of specialty coffee enthusiasts purchasing online or in-store, and wholesale B2B buyers (cafes, restaurants, retailers). The company is entirely founder-owned, with no disclosed external equity funding, and is staffed by a team that includes Bellissimo Coffee Advisors-trained baristas, certified Q-graders, a quality manager, a roasting manager, and multiple UAE national championship winners across barista, brewers cup, and roasting categories.

Name

The Espresso Lab

Legal name

THE ESPRESSO LAB ROASTERY L.L.C.

Website

https://theespressolab.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The Espresso Lab is a Dubai-based specialty coffee roastery and cafe operator founded in 2015 that sources single-origin beans from elite global producers and sells through UAE cafe locations, a multi-currency international e-commerce store, and a B2B wholesale channel serving coffee enthusiasts and cafes.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Specialty Coffee Roastery

NAICS

Coffee and Tea Manufacturing (31192)

SIC

Beverages (2080)

akta.pro primary industry

Coffee Roasters with Cafe (Roastery Cafes) (THAFADAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Specialty Coffee Shops (Single-Origin, Third-Wave) (THAFADAA), Coffee (Roasted, Ground, Whole Bean) (CRADAHAG), Coffee, Espresso & Tea Appliances Retail (CRACADAC)

Keywords

• Specialty coffee roasting
• Specialty coffee retail
• Coffee equipment
• Wholesale coffee supply
• Specialty cafe

Headquarters

HQ city

Dubai

HQ country

United Arab Emirates

HQ region

Middle East

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Specialty Coffee Retail: Direct-to-consumer sales of curated specialty coffee beans across Signature, Habitual, Voyage collections and capsules. Prices range from 75 AED to 4,120 AED for 100g-200g bags.
2. Wholesale B2B: B2B wholesale channel for cafes and retailers providing access to rare beans and tailored partnerships.
3. Specialty Equipment and Gadgets: Sale of specialty coffee equipment including Meraki espresso machines, Varia grinders, Hario cupping tools, and accessories.
4. Jasmine Cup Product Line: Sale of proprietary Jasmine Cup and Jasmine Server products featuring patented auto-aeration technology.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Espresso Lab is a Dubai-based specialty coffee roastery and retailer that sources, roasts, and sells single-origin specialty coffee beans from elite global producers across Ethiopia, Panama, Brazil, Kenya, Colombia, Honduras, El Salvador, Indonesia, and Guatemala. It operates physical cafe/roastery locations across the UAE, an e-commerce storefront with international shipping, a B2B wholesale program supplying cafes and retailers, and designs proprietary coffee vessels including the patented Jasmine Cup.

Product overview

The Espresso Lab is a specialty coffee roastery and retailer based in Dubai, UAE, offering a diverse portfolio centered on premium single-origin coffee beans and innovative coffee experience products. The core offering consists of specialty coffee beans sourced from renowned global origins (Ethiopia, Panama, Brazil, Kenya, Colombia, Honduras, El Salvador, Indonesia, Guatemala), organized into curated collections: Signature (rare auction lots), Voyage (rotating origin selections), Habitual (daily consistency), and Capsules/Drip Bags (convenience formats). Supporting the coffee experience, the portfolio includes the award-winning Jasmine Cup with patented auto-aeration technology and its companion Jasmine Server, specialty brewing gadgets (clay cups, hand grinders, filters, cupping tools), and an espresso machine cart (Meraki). The company also serves B2B customers through a wholesale program and provides brewing education via The Barista Dance guide.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Specialty Coffee Beans

Quantifiable outcome

• 10+ national championship titles across barista, brewers cup, and roasting competitions
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• Testi Specialty Coffee (Faysel Abdosh)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term partnership with Ethiopian coffee exporter founded in 2009 by Faysel Abdosh. Works with farmers across Sidama, Guji, Yirgacheffe, and West Arsi regions. Committed to quality, transparency, and sustainable sourcing practices with farming communities.
• Lamastus Estate (Wilford Lamastus)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with renowned Panamanian producer from Boquete region. Lamastus Estate is known for producing some of the world's most awarded coffees with focus on precision, innovation, and pursuit of excellence.
• Bambito Estate (Iván González)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFive-generation coffee-growing heritage at Bambito Estate in Chiriquí highlands, Panama. Produces exceptional Geisha coffee at 1,800m elevation with traditional washed processing.
• Alo Coffee (Tamiru Tadesse)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Ethiopian producer Tamiru Tadesse who won first place at Ethiopia Cup of Excellence 2021. Works with smallholder farmers around Alo Village at 2,400m elevation in Sidama.
• Bernabas Berhanu (Mystic Cup Stories)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProducer, exporter, and co-founder of Mystic Cup Stories. Dedicated to uncovering exceptional coffees from Ethiopia's remarkable growing regions with focus on preserving and showcasing Ethiopian coffee heritage.
• Carmo CoffeescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeading Brazilian specialty coffee producer from Carmo de Minas region, founded 2007. Committed to elevating Brazilian coffees globally through innovative post-harvest techniques and quality-focused production.
• SANcoffeecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPioneering collective of producers from Campo das Vertentes, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Recognized for commitment to quality, sustainability, and community-driven coffee production.
• Mt. Totumas (Karin Dietrich)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCloud forest estate in Volcán, Chiriquí, Panama under Karin Dietrich's stewardship. Known for environmental conservation, sustainable farming, and exceptional coffee production at 1,800m elevation.
• Othaya Farmers Co-operative SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKenyan cooperative from Nyeri County established 1956. Produces exceptional coffees between Mount Kenya and Aberdare Ranges with rich volcanic soils and ideal growing conditions.
• Altieri Coffee (Eugene Altieri)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDistinguished Panamanian specialty coffee producer from Boquete's high-altitude region on Volcán Barú slopes. Multiple Best of Panama competition placements with Geisha, Typica, Catuai, and Caturra coffees.
• Blackmoon Coffee (Hunter Tedman)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPanamanian producer from Boquete's Alto Quiel region focused on regenerative farming practices. Produces exceptional Chiroso variety at 1,780m elevation.
• Caballero Family (Marysabel & Moisés Herrera)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRespected Honduran producers from Marcala region. Generations of refined farming and processing practices with international recognition for elevating Honduran specialty coffee.
• Finca Santa Rita (Mauricio Salaverria)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEl Salvadoran farm in Ilamatepeque mountain range dating to 1940s. Multiple Cup of Excellence recognition with commitment to sustainable practices and quality processing at Cafescal Mill.
• Finca La Auromar (Brenes-Eleta Family)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPanamanian estate in Candela highlands surrounded by protected tropical forests. Internationally recognized with strong commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable farming.
• Kotowa Estate (Ricardo Koyner)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPanamanian estate from Boquete region producing exquisite Geisha at 1,800m. Combines precision craftsmanship with heritage for exceptional natural processed coffees.
• Hacienda La EsmeraldaflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerLegendary Panamanian farm that revolutionized the industry through Geisha discovery. Acquired exceptional micro-lot EA6 (Valle Carnaval N) at $2,608/kg in 2024 auction.
• Café Granja La EsperanzaflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerColombian producer known for innovation meeting tradition. Acquired Torrent Duck lot (592) at $181/lb with 90.25 cupping score through 2024 auction.
• Janson Family CoffeecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProducer from Volcán, Panama creating exceptional coffees with family legacy.
• Mikava CoffeecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProducer from misty highlands of Risaralda, Colombia.
• Carmen EstatecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEstate in Paso Anchito highlands with multi-generational coffee cultivation mastery by the Franceschetti family.
• UAE Coffee ChampionshipscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOfficial championship body organizing UAE National Barista, Brewers Cup, and Roasting Championships. The Espresso Lab has won multiple national titles.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• % Arabica: Japan-founded specialty coffee chain with a flagship Dubai location and global roastery-cafe model. Directly comparable to The Espresso Lab in third-wave coffee positioning, single-origin sourcing, and premium cafe experience targeting design-conscious consumers in UAE.
• Stomping Grounds: Specialty coffee roaster with cafe and wholesale operations emphasizing direct trade and origin transparency. Comparable in scale, championship credentials, and DTC-plus-wholesale positioning.
• Coffee Planet: UAE specialty coffee company with roasting, wholesale, and cafe operations. Comparable in offering a multi-format specialty coffee stack in the regional market with both B2B and consumer channels.
• Counter Culture Coffee: US specialty coffee roaster with strong direct trade program, training/education focus, and DTC-plus-cafe distribution. Comparable in origin transparency ethos, training-driven culture, and championship-adjacent specialty positioning.
• Black Drop Coffee Roasters: Specialty coffee roaster with cafe and wholesale programs targeting premium coffee enthusiasts. Comparable in third-wave positioning, single-origin sourcing, and DTC-plus-cafe distribution.
• Seven Fortunes Coffee Roasters: UAE specialty coffee roaster serving HoReCa and retail channels with multi-origin sourcing. Comparable as a UAE-based specialty roaster competing for the same cafe and wholesale customers.
• RAW Coffee Company: Dubai-based specialty coffee roaster operating roastery-cafes across UAE with direct trade sourcing and roasting operations. Closest local peer with parallel business model covering wholesale, DTC e-commerce, and physical cafes.

Others

• La Marzocco: Premium Italian espresso machine manufacturer whose equipment (e.g., Linea Mini) is stocked and sold by The Espresso Lab. Comparable as an ecosystem player in the high-end specialty coffee equipment category and a complementary brand rather than direct competitor.

Broad incumbents

• Stumptown Coffee Roasters: Iconic Portland-born third-wave coffee roaster with broad national wholesale, retail, and DTC presence. Comparable in craft positioning, direct trade relationships, and premium cafe experience, though operating at significantly larger scale.
• Blue Bottle Coffee: Major third-wave specialty coffee company with global cafe footprint and DTC channels, backed by Nestle. Comparable in direct trade, single-origin positioning, and design-led cafe experience, but with substantially larger scale and capital base.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/TheEspressoLab
• Instagraminstagram.com/theespressolab/?hl=en
• TikToktiktok.com/@theespressolab
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-espresso-lab

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

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 The Espresso Lab