QSR coffee chain Nothing Before Coffee raises $2.3 million to set up 150+ stores by FY26

QSR coffee chain Nothing Before Coffee (NBC) has raised $2.3 million in a pre-Series A funding round led by Prath Ventures. The round also saw participation from SYL Investments.

This funding marks a major milestone in NBC's journey as it continues to redefine India's café culture by focusing on Tier-II and Tier-III cities—a segment largely untapped by premium coffee players.

NBC's market presence

Founded in 2017 in Jaipur by Ankesh Jain, Anand Jain, Akshay Kedia, and Shubham Bhandari, Nothing Before Coffee has rapidly evolved from a small, cozy café into a national brand with a footprint of 85+ outlets across India. The startup said it focuses on serving high-quality, affordable coffee in vibrant spaces that resonate with India's youth.

While most players are concentrating on Tier-I cities and premium offerings, NBC said it is disrupting the market with accessible pricing, India-centric coffee innovations like the 'Shrappe' (a desi twist on a frappe), and aspirational café spaces that serve as community hubs for young consumers.

Purpose of fundraising

Nothing Before Coffee plans to use the raised capital to establish 150+ NBC stores across the country over the next 12 months, strengthen its digital platforms, invest in supply chain optimization and talent acquisition, and experiment with new store formats.

"This funding milestone is a strong validation of our vision and operating model. At Nothing Before Coffee, we've built a brand that combines affordability, quality, and deep cultural resonance—especially in India's Tier-II and Tier-III markets. With strong unit economics and consistent consumer love, we are now well-positioned to scale rapidly, said Ankesh Jain.

"The capital will help us deepen our presence, invest in technology and talent, and unlock the next phase of growth as we work towards becoming India's most loved and accessible coffee chain, Ankesh added. 

Commenting on the fundraise, Piyush Goenka, founder of Prath Ventures, said, "As a fund, we've long believed in the growing demand for coffee and vibrant café experiences across India — not just in metros, but well beyond Tier-1 cities. In all our research, NBC consistently stood out for the vibrance in their cafés, the affordability of their pricing, and the quality of their offerings."