Indian specialty coffee sector expands through funding and industry events

The Indian specialty coffee sector is experiencing significant growth, highlighted by recent capital infusion and major industry events. First Coffee, a specialty brand founded in 2024, has raised $1.3 million in a pre-Series A funding round led by Japanese venture capital firm DG Daiwa Ventures. This brings the company’s total funding to $2.5 million. The brand, which currently operates 25 stores across Delhi, Punjab, and Haryana, intends to use the funds to expand into Tier-2 cities, strengthen its corporate team, and increase marketing efforts.

Simultaneously, the India International Coffee Festival (IICF) is scheduled to return to Bengaluru from February 26–28, 2027. Organized by the Coffee Board of India and the Specialty Coffee Association of India, the festival serves as a platform for stakeholders across the value chain, including growers, roasters, and café brands. The event comes amid a shift in Indian consumption patterns, driven by rising disposable incomes and a growing interest in specialty coffee among urban millennials.