Atomo Coffee has raised an additional US$9 million to bring its molecular coffee to market.
The company has reverse-engineered the coffee bean to produce a “uniquely smooth and sustainable brew”.
Atomo Coffee will use the funds to build a production roastery in Seattle with an expected launch in 2021.
The startup was co-founded by Jarret Stopforth and Andy Kleitsch, a tech vet, who leads entrepreneur workshops at the University of Washington.
Climate change is causing damage in the global coffee industry, by affecting quality, contributing to deforestation, and driving a variety of wild coffee species into possible extinction.
Atomo’s goal is to use science and technology to recreate coffee more sustainably by using upcycled plants.
Our flagship grounds formula is made of upcycled plant materials such as pits, seeds, and stems from locally grown agriculture, mirroring the process of traditional coffee beans. Atomo’s magic comes from our proprietary bioreactive and thermal processes
Jarret Stopforth, Chief Scientist and Co-founder
Upcycling is a rising movement across multiple categories. The Upcycled Food Association defines it as foods using ingredients that otherwise would not have gone to human consumption, are obtained and produced using valid supply chains, and have a positive impact on the environment.
Ag-Tech venture giants S2G Ventures, AgFunder, Bessemer Venture Partners joined Horizons Ventures in supporting Atomo’s molecular coffee innovation.
Atomo’s roastery will be located in SoDo, not far from the headquarters of the local coffee icon Starbucks.
Seattle is the perfect confluence of tech and craft coffee, it only makes sense that coffee is reinvented here. Our tech creates a great tasting cup of coffee, that provides consumers with a sustainable choice, as well as greater value for our farmers.
Andy Kleitsch, CEO and Cofounder
