What ampersand coffee roasters does

Ampersand Coffee Roasters is a privately held, Boulder, Colorado-based specialty coffee company that roasts and sells 100% Organic and Fair Trade certified single-origin coffees across 15 origins, complemented by brewing equipment, merchandise, and a subscription service. Product SKUs span light, medium, and dark roast profiles from countries including Peru, Brazil, Colombia, Nicaragua, Honduras, Ethiopia, Sumatra, Mexico, Bolivia, and Congo, with select origins carrying Regenerative Organic Certified (ROC) and Smithsonian Bird Friendly certifications. The company differentiates on a women's empowerment mission anchored by a long-standing Café Femenino partnership and a sustaining role with the International Women's Coffee Alliance (IWCA), to which it donates 0.5% of global revenue; it also donates 5 cents per pound to the Café Femenino Foundation on Café Femenino-sourced coffees.

The business operates three go-to-market motions: direct-to-consumer e-commerce with a subscription product offering 10% savings and free shipping over $25; wholesale B2B including private label and toll roasting for coffee shops, restaurants, hotels, offices, and breweries; and grocery and specialty retail distribution. Retail distribution is anchored by a Boulder Tasting Room cafe and a separate Boulder wholesale and production facility, with grocery penetration across Whole Foods Rocky Mountain Region, Safeway (62 Colorado stores), Natural Grocers (20 Colorado locations), Fresh Thyme (72 Midwest stores), and Erewhon (10 California stores), supported by KeHE and UNFI as major distributors. The company is bootstrapped with 1-10 employees, no disclosed funding, and no disclosed revenue or valuation.

Pricing is positioned at premium specialty coffee levels, approximately $21-$22 per 12oz bag for most SKUs, with AeroPress and accessories ranging from $9.95 to $44.95, gift cards from $25 to $1,000, and the Brew Anywhere Bundle at $105 offering over 10% savings versus individual component purchase. Customer segments include ethically minded individual consumers, independent coffee shops and restaurants, hotels, offices, grocery chains, and craft breweries, with notable institutional accounts including Boulder Fire Stations, the University of Colorado, Patagonia Provisions (2020-2023), and several zoos and breweries.

Name

ampersand coffee roasters

Legal name

Ampersand Coffee

Website

https://ampersand-coffee.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Ampersand Coffee Roasters is a Boulder, Colorado specialty coffee company selling 100% Organic and Fair Trade certified single-origin coffees via DTC e-commerce, wholesale, grocery distribution, and a Tasting Room cafe, with complementary brewing equipment and merchandise.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Specialty Coffee Roasting

NAICS

Coffee and Tea Manufacturing (311920), Other Specialty Food Retailers (44529)

SIC

Beverages (2080), Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810)

akta.pro primary industry

Coffee Roasters with Cafe (Roastery Cafes) (THAFADAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Coffee (Roasted, Ground, Whole Bean) (CRADAHAG), Specialty Coffee Shops (Single-Origin, Third-Wave) (THAFADAA), Bulk Beverage & Coffee/Tea Supply Stores (Retail + Wholesale) (CRAHAMAH)

Keywords

• Specialty coffee roasting
• Organic fair trade coffee
• Coffee subscription service
• Wholesale coffee supply
• Brewing equipment retail

Headquarters

HQ city

Boulder

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Retail Coffee Sales: Direct sales of whole bean and ground coffee to consumers via e-commerce and cafe. Available in 12oz and 5lb bags. Subscription model provides recurring revenue with 10% discount.
2. Wholesale B2B: Bulk coffee sales to coffee shops, restaurants, hotels, offices, grocers, and breweries. Includes private label and toll roasting services.
3. Merchandise and Brewing Equipment: Sales of brewing tools, accessories, apparel, and merchandise including travel mugs, scales, AeroPress, pour-over kits, t-shirts, and beanies.
4. Cafe/Tasting Room: In-person coffee service at the Boulder Tasting Room open to the public.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Ampersand Coffee Roasters roasts and sells 100% Organic and Fair Trade specialty single-origin coffee across 15 origins, available in 12oz and 5lb bags, whole bean or ground. The company also operates a public Tasting Room cafe in Boulder, a subscription delivery program (10% subscriber discount), wholesale B2B coffee supply including private label and toll roasting services, and sells brewing equipment, merchandise, and gift cards through its e-commerce storefront.

Product overview

Ampersand Coffee Roasters is a Boulder, Colorado-based specialty coffee company offering a portfolio of 15 single-origin coffee roasts complemented by brewing equipment, merchandise, and subscription services. The coffee line includes organic, Fair Trade, Regenerative Organic Certified, and Smithsonian Bird Friendly Certified varieties sourced from women-farmed cooperatives worldwide. Core products span light, medium, and dark roast profiles across origins including Peru, Brazil, Colombia, Nicaragua, Honduras, Ethiopia, Sumatra, Mexico, Bolivia, and Congo. Brewing equipment includes AeroPress, MiiR travel mugs and scales, pour-over kits, and the proprietary Brew Anywhere Bundle. Merchandise includes apparel and accessories. The company also operates wholesale and private label roasting services for businesses, and a subscription model offering regular deliveries with 10% subscriber discounts.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Single-Origin Coffee Roasts A lineup of 15 single-origin specialty coffee roasts, each 100% Organic and Fair Trade certified, with select origins carrying Regenerative Organic Certified (ROC) and Smithsonian Bird Friendly certifications. Available in 12oz ($21-$22) and 5lb bags, whole bean or ground options. Designed for individual consumers seeking ethically sourced premium coffee.
• Roaster's Recommendation Weekly Subscription A weekly subscription service where the Roastmaster curates and selects the coffee, including both regular and limited edition varieties. Available in 12oz and 5lb bags with 10% subscriber discount. Designed for individual consumers who want to discover new coffees curated by the roaster.
• Coffee Subscription Service A recurring coffee delivery subscription available on weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly cadences with 10% savings versus regular pricing. Customers can change their coffee selection anytime with no cancellation fees. Designed for individual consumers seeking convenient regular coffee delivery.
• AeroPress and Accessories A portable coffee brewing device that produces smooth, low-acidity coffee in about a minute. Complete kit includes tote bag, 350 filters, and accessories. Available from $9.95 for filters to $44.95 for the complete kit with tote. Sold to individual consumers for home brewing.
• MiiR Pourigami Travel Coffee Dripper An ultra-compact stainless steel travel pour-over that folds flat and fits in a pocket, weighing 0.39 pounds. Uses standard #2 cone filters. Designed for individual consumers who want portable pour-over brewing.
• MiiR Digital Coffee Scale A precision coffee scale with 0.1g accuracy and integrated timer for café-level brewing. USB-C rechargeable with minimalist design made from post-consumer recycled materials. Designed for individual consumers seeking precise brewing at home.
• The Ampersand Brew Anywhere Bundle A complete portable brewing kit priced at $105.00 including a 12oz bag of Ampersand coffee, MiiR Pourigami, MiiR Digital Scale, and Pourigami Filters. Saves over 10% versus purchasing items separately. Designed as a gift or starter bundle for individual consumers.
• AmperPack Flat Pour-Over Starter Kit A starter kit containing a Grosche Amsterdam Pour-over with reusable metal filter, custom brew guide, 12oz coffee bag, Ampersand Empowerment Mug, and small goodies. Designed for individual consumers new to pour-over brewing.
• AmperPack Flat Pour-Over Deluxe Kit A deluxe kit containing a Grosche Amsterdam Pour-over with reusable metal filter, Grosche Marrakesh kettle, Empowerment Mug, custom brew guide, two 12oz coffee bags, and small goodies. Designed for individual consumers seeking a complete premium pour-over setup.
• MiiR Flip Traveler Mug A vacuum-insulated stainless steel travel mug with leak-proof lid that keeps beverages hot or cold. Fits in standard cup holders. Available in 12oz and 16oz sizes, including a wrap-design variant with a coffee tree illustration by a local artist. Designed for individual consumers seeking portable coffee drinkware.
• Smart Tea Maker A Grosche Aberdeen infuser teapot that sits on a mug and dispenses tea after steeping. Each purchase funds 50+ days of safe drinking water for people in need through the Grosche partnership. Designed for individual consumers seeking tea brewing equipment.
• Pourigami Coffee Filters - 100-Pack Unbleached, compostable paper filters designed specifically for the MiiR Pourigami travel pour-over. Lightweight, packable, and perfectly shaped for travel pour-over brewing. Sold to individual consumers as a consumable supply.
• Enamel Pin - Ampersand Coffee Farm & Birds A 1.5 inch enamel pin featuring a coffee farm and soaring birds design, equipped with two sturdy black clutch fasteners. Designed as a collectible accessory for individual consumers and coffee enthusiasts.
• Coffee Farm Graphic T-Shirt A t-shirt with an exclusive design by a local artist featuring a regenerative organic coffee farm with a majestic bird soaring above. Available in Terracotta, Light Blue, and Navy colors. Designed for individual consumers seeking branded apparel.
• Ampersand Cozy Knit Beanie A soft, stretchy, and breathable knit beanie for everyday wear. Lightweight and durable, available in Black, Heather Gray, and Heather Navy. Designed for individual consumers seeking branded headwear.
• Ampersand Coffee Website Gift Card A digital gift card available in denominations from $25 to $1,000, valid for purchases on the Ampersand website only. Designed for individual consumers and corporate gifting.
• Wholesale Coffee Roasting Services Wholesale coffee roasting services including private label and toll roasting for organic coffee production. Includes business development support such as café design, product design, consulting, and coffee education/training. Targeted at coffee shops, restaurants, hotels, offices, grocery stores, and breweries.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% of coffee is Organic and Fair Trade certified
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers15 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

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Cafe FemeninocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCafe Femenino is a revolutionary cooperative empowering women coffee farmers. Co-ops must provide land ownership rights, leadership positions, financial decision-making power, and direct compensation to women. Ampersand sources majority of coffee from Cafe Femenino member co-ops and donates 5 cents per pound to the Cafe Femenino Foundation.
• International Women's Coffee Alliance (IWCA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIWCA empowers women in the international coffee community to achieve meaningful and sustainable lives. Ampersand is a sustaining partner and donates 0.5% of global revenue to IWCA, meaning every purchase supports women's empowerment.
• Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center (Bird Friendly)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBird Friendly certification ensures coffee is grown in shaded habitats providing crucial homes for migratory birds. Requires minimum 40% tree canopy cover and organic farming practices. Ampersand sources Bird Friendly certified coffee from Guatemala, Honduras, and Peru.
• Regenerative Organic AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAmpersand is pioneering the world's first Regenerative Organic Certified (ROC) coffee through the Regenerative Organic Alliance. ROC meets highest standards for soil health, animal welfare, and farmworker fairness. Ampersand has ROC origins including Peru, Nicaragua, and Colombia.
• CCOF OrganiccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCCOF Organic provides organic certification for Ampersand's coffee, ensuring compliance with USDA organic standards that prohibit synthetic substances and promote sustainable farming practices.
• Organic Products Trading Company (OPTCO)majorTechnology or IntegrationOPTCO is a coffee trading company that facilitates sourcing of Cafe Femenino coffees and helps the organization expand to other countries including Bolivia, Colombia, and continents like Asia and Africa.
• Rainforest AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRainforest Alliance launched world's first sustainable forestry certification program in 1989 and helped found the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). They have certified more than 113 million acres of forest worldwide.
• KeHE DistributorsmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKeHE is one of the distributors for Ampersand Coffee wholesale products.
• UNFImajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUNFI (United Natural Foods) is a major distributor for Ampersand Coffee wholesale products.
• Environment for the AmericasminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvironment for the Americas is home of World Migratory Bird Day. Ampersand collaborates with them as part of their commitment to Bird Friendly coffee and environmental conservation.
• American Liver FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborator organization for Ampersand Coffee.
• International Bird RescueminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborator organization related to bird conservation efforts.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Stumptown Coffee Roasters: Larger Portland-based specialty roaster (owned by Peet's/Lavazza) with cafes, wholesale, and extensive grocery distribution. Comparable on direct-trade specialty roasting and cafe-retail hybrid model, but operates at substantially greater scale and corporate backing.
• Blue Bottle Coffee: Oakland-originated third-wave roaster (majority-owned by Nestle) operating cafes, DTC, and grocery at national scale. Comparable on third-wave specialty positioning and cafe + DTC model, but backed by Nestle distribution and capital.
• Intelligentsia Coffee: Chicago-based third-wave specialty roaster with DTC, wholesale, and barista training programs. Comparable on direct-trade single-origin sourcing, third-wave positioning, and B2B training/consulting services, but at materially larger scale.
• Kicking Horse Coffee: Canadian specialty/organic roaster with strong grocery distribution across North America. Comparable on organic/Fair Trade certifications and grocery channel penetration, but operating at significantly larger scale and focused on mainstream retail rather than cafe channels.

Direct peers

• Onyx Coffee Lab: Arkansas-based award-winning specialty roaster with competition focus, DTC, and select wholesale. Comparable on premium single-origin positioning, craft roasting expertise, and DTC-led growth model, though with stronger competition-trophy brand positioning.
• Equal Exchange: Worker- and farmer-owned cooperative specializing in Fair Trade, organic coffee distributed through grocery, foodservice, and co-op channels. Directly comparable on certification profile, mission-led branding, and multi-channel distribution to natural/specialty grocery.
• Pachamama Coffee Cooperative: Farmer-owned coffee cooperative selling 100% organic, small-batch coffee through DTC subscription and wholesale. Directly comparable on farmer-ownership model, organic/sustainability positioning, and DTC + wholesale channel mix.
• Verve Coffee Roasters: Santa Cruz-based specialty roaster with cafes, DTC subscription, and grocery distribution. Closely comparable in size, mission-driven brand identity around farmer relationships, and roastery-cafe hybrid retail model.
• Counter Culture Coffee: Durham, NC-based specialty coffee roaster with a similar DTC + wholesale + sustainability-focused model. Direct comparable in size, channel mix, and values-driven positioning around ethical sourcing and producer relationships.

Regional players

• Roastology Coffee Co. Colorado-based small specialty roaster with cafe, subscription, and local wholesale. Regional comparable sharing the Boulder/Colorado coffee market and similar roastery-cafe hybrid format.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/ampersand.coffeeroasters
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ampersand-coffee-roasters
• Instagraminstagram.com/ampersand.coffeeroasters

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 ampersand coffee roasters