India’s dynamic and fast-growing 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 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. Additionally, NBC is pleased to report its “Best-ever Fiscal year 2025.” Fueled by new store launches, innovative offerings, and growing brand loyalty. The brand’s seasonal offerings and unique brews have been particularly well-received, contributing to this growth.
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. 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, said — Ankesh Jain, Co-founder, Nothing Before Coffee
In a market traditionally dominated by premium global chains and metro-centric models, NBC is carving out
its niche with a “youth-first” approach, offering high-quality, affordability, cultural relevance, and beverages
served in aesthetically designed, vibrant spaces. These outlets are designed to serve as social hubs for India’s
growing aspirational class.
Commenting on the fund raise, Piyush Goenka, Founder, 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. What truly sealed the deal was the passion and drive of the founding team, which made this a compelling and exciting opportunity for us, as we love to partner with enthusiastic like-minded founders.”
The freshly infused capital will be utilized to:
- Aiming to establish 150+ NBC stores across India by FY2026, with a strong focus on expanding into
emerging Tier-II and Tier-III markets. - Strengthen the brand’s digital platforms to drive enhanced customer experience and loyalty.
- Invest in supply chain optimization and talent acquisition to support scale and consistency across
locations. - Experiment with new store formats, including compact kiosks and premium high-street cafes in
smaller cities.
NBC’s ambitious roadmap aims to solidify its position as India’s most beloved homegrown café brand, particularly in markets often overlooked by established chains. The QSR chain is on a fast-paced growth trajectory, aiming to establish 150+ NBC stores across India by FY2026, further strengthening its presence in metropolitan hubs and expanding deeper into Tier-I and Tier-II markets. These new openings will mark an important milestone for the brand, demonstrating its continuous efforts to cater to the growing demand for
premium coffee experiences. The new outlets are designed to offer a welcoming and exceptional coffee experience, building on the brand’s commitment to quality and customer satisfaction.
