Blue Tokai, the homegrown coffee chain that has become a symbol of India’s specialty coffee movement, has raised $25 million in fresh capital to fuel its next phase of growth. The round, backed by existing investors A91 Partners, Anicut, Verlinvest and 12 Flags, comes as the company sharpens its expansion plans both within India and overseas.
The funding will be directed toward opening new cafés across key Indian cities while also building out the company’s backend infrastructure. Two large-scale projects are already in motion: a roastery and bakery facility in Bengaluru and another in Gurugram. These hubs will allow the brand to increase production capacity and improve supply efficiencies as it prepares for a larger footprint.
The company is also preparing for an international push, with Japan and the UAE identified as first markets. The idea is to showcase Indian coffee on a global stage, positioning the brand as an ambassador for the country’s coffee-growing regions.
Blue Tokai, which has already turned profitable, is now setting far more ambitious targets. Co-founder and COO Shivam Ramaswamy said the brand is looking to scale to more than 800 stores and reach ₹2,000 crore in revenue over the next four years, double its earlier projections of ₹1,000 crore revenue and ₹100 crore EBITDA by 2027.
“We are not only building a retail network but also a cultural identity for Indian coffee,” said co-founder and CEO Matt Chitharanjan, noting that the company’s long-term vision is tied to sustainability and fostering entrepreneurship in the ecosystem.
With over a decade of operations behind it and a loyal consumer base, Blue Tokai is now preparing to move from being India’s specialty coffee pioneer to a global nameplate, betting that its mix of quality sourcing and café culture can resonate far beyond its home market.
