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Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters, a prominent name in the specialty coffee industry, announced a significant investment from Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone’s investment entity, Ka Enterprises, as part of the company’s Series B funding round. The fundraising round, led by A91 Partners, has garnered USD 30 million in total investments.
Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters has attracted an array of notable investors, including Anicut Capital, 8i Ventures, DSP Blackrock, Negen Capital, Mauryan Capital, and White Whale Ventures.
Deepika Padukone expressed her enthusiasm for the partnership in a prepared statement, saying, “We have followed the brand’s growth very closely over the past decade and observed their vision and commitment to quality and innovation. We are, therefore, thrilled to partner with them on their journey of making Indian specialty coffee accessible, delivering unparalleled coffee experiences, and putting it on the global map.”
Founded in 2013, Blue Tokai has cultivated a strong presence with its cafe stores, e-commerce, marketplace channels, and B2B operations. As of March 31, 2022, the company reported a revenue of Rs 74 crore.
Currently, the brand operates in both India and Japan, boasting four roasteries and over 80 physical outlets spread across major Indian cities, including Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Chandigarh, Mohali, and Pune. Additionally, they regularly host pop-up events in Tokyo, expanding their global footprint in the world of specialty coffee.
This strategic investment not only bolsters Blue Tokai’s position in the specialty coffee market but also signifies the growing interest of celebrities and entrepreneurs in India’s burgeoning coffee industry.