From a ₹3 Lakh Investment to ₹2.4 Crore Revenue: How Two Delhi Friends Built Kofi Kafi

A simple idea got turned into a start-up
It stemmed from a frustration many students and young professionals can understand. 

“The premium coffee at the big chains costs ₹300-400 a cup. “That’s a day’s food budget for a lot of people,” Vaibhav said. 

And so he and Vansh decided to fill that space. They started Kofi Kafi with ₹3 lakh from their savings and with one aim – to serve good-quality coffee at prices that won’t burn a hole in your pocket.

Started from a street cart  
They didn't have the money for fancy machines. They started small. A cart, 2 traditional coffee machines, and a menu with drinks starting at ₹50

It was at Rohini. The pitch was simple: consistent taste, quick service and affordability. It was working. Within the first month, they were selling 100 to 150 cups a day and had paid back their initial investment.

“Word got around to the colleges and offices nearby. And the Instagram posts of their minimalist branding and “grab-and-go” vibe helped too.

Going to Delhi  
As demand took off, the duo reinvested profits into commercial espresso machines and permanent stores. The model was intentionally kept lean. Small, cramped outlets with low overheads. Designed for speed, not sitting around.

Today, Kofi Kafi has five stores in Delhi. The brand leans into Gen Z aesthetics — bold packaging, community pop-ups, collaborations with local artists — to differentiate itself in a crowded marketplace.

Serving thousands each day
The numbers look a lot different now from those pop-ups, andand art. Kofi Kafi serves 1,000-1,500 customers a day and sells 500-700 cups of coffee a day.

5 lakh cups sold since 2023. Monthly revenue is around ₹20 lakh, adding up to nearly ₹2.4 crore annually.

The growth of Vaibhav and Vansh is not the only target. They want to build a coffee culture that is open to all.

“We started this for students like us,” said Vansh. “Our long-term vision is to bring quality coffee to millions of Indians without charging café prices.”

Starting with ₹3 lakh and a cart, Kofi Kafi has today, in just two years, five outlets – proof that affordable long-term has to mean compromise.