Coffee technology firm Bellwether Coffee has raised $40 million through a Series B funding round led by DBL Partners and brothers Lyndon and Peter Rive.
Bellwether has developed an electric commercial coffee roaster for cafes, retailers and other commercial locations, and Bellwether claims that the roaster produces 90% fewer greenhouse gas emissions when compared traditional gas-powered alternatives.
According to the company, traditional coffee roasters often require natural gas lines and complicated venting systems, while the electric Bellwether Roaster can be installed in any location.
The internet-connected Bellwether Roaster also allows operators to access a marketplace of green coffee from farms around the world, enabling its customers to roast on-site, while the machine also incorporates inventory management tools and data analytics from its connected software.
The roaster is ventless and electric, as well as programmable via an iPad and does not require any previous roasting experience.
Approximately 400 million cups of coffee are consumed every day in the US alone, and the demand for premium coffee is on the rise. Statistics provided by the National Coffee Association claim that 60% of the 400 million figure is classified as “speciality coffee”.
Bellwether claims that it is, on average, installing a roaster per day across the US, and that this funding round will enable the company to accelerate its growth efforts.
Bellwether’s CEO, Nathan Gilliland said: “We are thrilled to be working closely with DBL, Lyndon and Peter Rive to help accelerate our already rapid growth.
“We expect in-store roasting at cafes and grocery locations to become the rule, not the exception. We are proud that the Bellwether Roaster has become the most consistent and controllable commercial coffee roaster available.”
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