Biography of Nandini Shrivastava: Founder and CEO of Toffee Coffee Roasters- Entrepreneur
Biography of Nandini Shrivastava:
Birth of Toffee Coffee Roasters
In early 2019, two coffee enthusiasts from Mumbai,
disillusioned by the commercial coffee scene, decided to open something unique.
They were tired of stale, over-roasted beans and wanted to offer something
better. From this dissatisfaction, Toffee Coffee Roasters was born in the
vibrant neighborhood of Bandra. With a small 5 kg batch roaster, they aimed to
bring fresh coffee to people who truly appreciated the taste of high-quality,
freshly roasted beans.
A Vision for Freshness and Quality
Nandini Shrivastava, one of the co-founders of Toffee Coffee
Roasters, played a major role in shaping the company's vision. She worked
tirelessly to ensure the brand focused on fresh, high-quality coffee. Her
dedication to sourcing only the best beans and providing customers with a
freshly roasted coffee experience became central to the brand. Toffee Coffee
Roasters quickly gained a reputation for offering coffee less than 48 hours out
of the roaster, ensuring peak flavor for their customers.
Toffee Coffee Roasters Gains Popularity
As Toffee Coffee Roasters grew, it caught the attention of
coffee lovers and food critics alike. Zomato and WhatsHot rated it as one of
the top coffee spots in town. The brand's commitment to freshness and quality
quickly set it apart from other coffee brands. The company’s wide range of
offerings, from single-origin coffees to specialty blends, made it a go-to
place for coffee enthusiasts who appreciated the artistry and freshness of
their brew.
A Big Break on Shark Tank India
In 2024, Toffee Coffee Roasters made a splash on the popular
Indian reality show Shark Tank India. The founders, Nandini and Rishabh,
pitched their business idea to the sharks, hoping for an investment to fuel the
brand’s expansion. They showcased their unique coffee offerings and explained
their mission to bring the finest, freshly roasted coffee to people across the
globe. The sharks were impressed, especially after tasting the coffee, which
received high praise for its rich flavors.
Sharks' Initial Reactions and Concerns
Despite the strong presentation, not all the sharks were
convinced. Vineeta Singh, one of the investors, raised concerns about the price
point of Toffee Coffee Roasters' products, noting that they were priced higher
than competitors in the market. Aman Gupta, another investor, also advised the
founders to focus on fewer products rather than offering a wide range. This
feedback came from the sharks’ concerns over the brand’s scalability and
sustainability at such high prices.
Ritesh Agarwal Sees Potential
However, amid the skepticism, one investor stood out: Ritesh
Agarwal, the CEO of OYO Rooms. He was so impressed by the taste of the coffee
that he decided to make an offer. This was Ritesh's first experience with
coffee, and it left a lasting impression on him. Recognizing the potential of
the brand and its growing popularity, he made a deal with the founders,
offering them ₹36 lakh in exchange for a 2.33% equity stake in Toffee Coffee
Roasters, along with a ₹25 lakh loan at a 10% interest rate over three years.
Biography of Nandini Shrivastava: Founder and CEO of Toffee Coffee Roasters/high-quality coffee/age/net worth/investor/Toffee Coffee story/shark tank
Securing the Deal
After some negotiation, the founders agreed to Ritesh
Agarwal’s offer. This was a significant moment for Toffee Coffee Roasters, as
they secured not only financial investment but also a strong business ally in
Ritesh. With his backing, the brand was poised to grow even faster, with plans
to expand globally and scale its operations. The deal marked the beginning of a
new chapter for Toffee Coffee Roasters, full of potential and possibilities.
The Growing Coffee Brand
With the new investment and support from Ritesh Agarwal,
Toffee Coffee Roasters continued to innovate and expand. The company introduced
a variety of coffee products, including single-origin, specialty blends,
barrel-aged coffees, and cold brews. They also partnered with high-end coffee
brands like Timemore, Hario, and Origami to provide coffee accessories, which
helped the brand build a strong and loyal customer base.
Pricing and Product Range
Toffee Coffee Roasters made sure its product pricing was
accessible to a wide range of coffee lovers. Their offerings included Specialty
Instant Coffee, starting at ₹349, South Indian Filter Coffee at ₹199, and Cold
Brew Coffees for ₹490. They also sold sampler packs, which allowed customers to
try different coffee roasts like Medium Roast, Medium Dark Roast, and Fermented
Coffee. This product range ensured that Toffee Coffee Roasters catered to both
casual coffee drinkers and connoisseurs.
The Future of Toffee Coffee Roasters
Looking ahead, Toffee Coffee Roasters aims to continue
growing and expanding. With the investment from Ritesh Agarwal and their
dedication to fresh, high-quality coffee, the company has big plans. They
envision becoming a global specialty coffee brand, bringing the best coffee
from all over the world to consumers who appreciate great taste and freshness.
With the momentum they’ve built and the strategic partnerships they've forged,
Toffee Coffee Roasters is well on its way to achieving its ambitious goals.
A timeline for Toffee Coffee Roasters:
Early 2019: Birth of Toffee Coffee Roasters – Founded by two
coffee enthusiasts in Bandra, Mumbai, aiming for fresher, high-quality coffee.
2019: A Vision for Freshness and Quality – Nandini
Shrivastava shapes the brand’s focus on fresh, high-quality beans.
2020-2023: Toffee Coffee Roasters Gains Popularity – The
brand earns recognition from Zomato and WhatsHot for its freshness and quality.
2024: A Big Break on Shark Tank India – Toffee Coffee
Roasters pitches to the sharks for investment.
2024: Sharks' Initial Reactions and Concerns – Investors
express concerns about pricing and product range.
2024: Ritesh Agarwal Sees Potential – Ritesh Agarwal makes
an investment offer, recognizing the brand’s potential.
2024: Securing the Deal – Founders accept Ritesh Agarwal’s
offer, securing financial investment and business support.
2024-2025: The Growing Coffee Brand – Continued innovation
and expansion with new products and partnerships.
2025 and beyond: Pricing and Product Range – Offering a wide
range of products, from Specialty Instant Coffee to Cold Brews.
2024: The Future of Toffee Coffee Roasters – Aiming for
global expansion with a focus on fresh, high-quality coffee.
