Singapore-based Flash Coffee to open 300 stores across APAC

It clinched $15m in a Series A round led by White Star Capital.

Singapore-based tech-enabled coffee chain Flash Coffee is looking to open 300 more stores across 10 markets in Asia Pacific by end-2021, after clinching $15m in its Series A funding round, according to a press release.

The funding was led by White Star Capital, with participation from Delivery Hero-backed DX Ventures, Global Founders Capital, Conny & Co., and more. The Series A round sets the total capital raised by Flash Coffee to $20m.

Flash Coffee launched in January 2020, and now operates 50 locations across Singapore, Thailand, and Indonesia. Currently Flash Coffee is opening three new outlets per week, which will be tripled to 10 store launches per week.

CEO David Brunier revealed that the chain will soon be available in Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam

"We will also build a regional HQ in Singapore and expand our regional tech hub in Jakarta to 50 people to support our vision of fully leveraging technology to improve customer experience, proactively drive growth and significantly increase operational efficiency," Brunier said.

Brunier and COO & CFO Sebastian Hannecker co-founded the company, looking to make premium coffee accessible to the middle class. Brunier's experience as foodpanda CMO and Hannecker's Bain Consulting pedigree have informed its grab-and-go business model.

The company aims to digitise the offline-dominated coffee industry with a newly launched consumer app that boasts a streamlined pick-up feature, loyalty programme, personalised promotions and interactive challenges.