Kahawa 1893
A specialty coffee brand that sells African beans globally and sends extra value back to women farmers through direct tips.
Coffee started in Africa, but most of its value has long been earned far from the farms. Many small farmers, especially women, do the hardest work yet receive the smallest share.
Kahawa 1893 was founded by Margaret Nyamumbo, a third generation Kenyan coffee farmer and former Wall Street executive. She wanted an African owned premium brand that could compete globally and reward farmers fairly.
Each coffee bag includes a QR code. Customers can scan it, read the farmer story, and send a tip directly to a specific woman farmer. Kahawa matches every tip to double the benefit.
The idea is simple. Let consumers share value with the people who grow the coffee.
Key Numbers
Figures reported by the founder as of September 2024.
Company Information
Kahawa 1893 is a specialty coffee brand that sources African beans and sells them in the United States and other global markets. The company focuses on premium quality and clear origin stories, while sending extra income to women farmers through direct tipping.
Leadership
| Role | Name | Background |
|---|---|---|
| Founder and CEO | Margaret Nyamumbo | Kenyan coffee farmer, former Wall Street executive |
| Farmer partners | Women cooperatives | Smallholders in Kenya, Rwanda, and DR Congo |
| Distribution partner | Keurig Dr Pepper | K Cup pods launched through partnership in 2024 |
How It Works
Kahawa 1893 combines direct trade with a customer tipping tool. The tipping is designed to be simple and transparent.
Step by Step
Growth and Results
Kahawa 1893 built its early audience through direct to consumer sales and strong storytelling. The Shark Tank appearance in February 2023 increased reach and helped unlock faster retail growth.
What is Working
- Clear product promise: premium African coffee with visible farmer benefit.
- Proven impact: $90k shared with women farmers through tips and matches.
- Retail expansion: K Cup pods introduced through Keurig Dr Pepper partnership in 2024.
Supply Chain
Kahawa 1893 focuses on African origins known for high grade beans and strong cooperative networks.
| Origin | Source type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Kenya | Women cooperatives | Heritage origin and largest partner base |
| Rwanda | Women led groups | Specialty lots and traceability focus |
| DR Congo | Community farms | Limited releases and premium microlots |
Funding History
Public funding data is limited but consistent on the Shark Tank round. The company mainly uses capital for inventory, marketing, and retail distribution.
Competitive Landscape
Kahawa 1893 competes in specialty coffee. Its key difference is a direct value share with women farmers.
| Brand type | Typical model | How Kahawa differs |
|---|---|---|
| Kahawa 1893 | Specialty African origins | Direct tips to women farmers plus company match |
| Specialty roasters | Single origin premium | Traceable coffee, but no direct tipping to farmers |
| Fair trade brands | Certified premiums | Premiums routed through systems, not named farmers |
| Mass retail coffee | Scale and low price | Limited origin visibility and weaker farmer benefit |
Key Lessons for Founders
What can founders learn from Kahawa 1893?
- Build around origin pride. An African brand can lead in premium markets.
- Make impact simple to join. One scan enables a direct tip.
- Measure what matters. Tipping totals show real value returned.
- Partner to scale. Distribution deals grow a consumer brand faster.
- Keep a clear promise. Premium coffee and women farmers stay the center.
• Shark Tank deal $350k for 8% in Feb 2023: Black Enterprise and Nation Africa recaps.
• Tips $45k from customers, matched to $90k total and 500 women reached: Guardian interview with founder (Sep 19, 2024).
• Tip matching and origin countries: Kahawa 1893 official impact and tip pages.
• K Cup partnership in 2024: Keurig Dr Pepper 2024 annual filing and Kahawa K Cup launch release.
Data checked November 24, 2025. kahawa1893.com