Vietnamese specialty coffee chain and roaster Every Half has raised US$3 million in a pre-series A funding round.

Openspace Ventures and DSG Consumer Partners took part in this fundraising, as both investors also backed the Ho Chi Minh City-based company during its seed round.

Founded in 2021, Every Half operates 14 stores. The company plans to use the new capital to expand its store network by 150% within Vietnam in 2025.

🔗 Source: The Saigon Times

🧠 Food for thought

1️⃣ Vietnamese specialty coffee poised for global recognition amid market shifts

Every Half’s North American export plans come at a strategic moment in the global coffee landscape.

Despite Vietnam being the world’s largest Robusta producer, Vietnamese coffee has historically lacked premium brand recognition in international markets, with no Vietnamese brands among the world’s top ten most expensive coffees 1.

This expansion coincides with a significant global Arabica bean shortage, creating an opportunity for Vietnamese specialty coffee to gain market share as noted by Openspace Ventures’ Dennis Le 2.

The timing aligns with shifting consumer preferences, as 51% of North American consumers have already transitioned to specialty coffee, with the specialty market growing 1.5 times faster than traditional coffee.

Every Half’s focus on quality, origin, and craft positions them to capitalize on this trend while elevating Vietnamese coffee’s global reputation beyond its commodity status.

2️⃣ Vertical integration offers competitive edge in Vietnam’s evolving coffee landscape

Every Half’s seed-to-cup approach represents a strategic advantage in an industry where Vietnam’s Minister of Agriculture has emphasized the need for “a comprehensive value chain from production to consumption” to enhance global presence 1.

Unlike typical coffee chains, the company’s direct involvement in seed selection, processing, fermentation, roasting, and service allows for quality control at every stage of production.

Their partnerships with farmers in Dien Bien, Lam Dong, and Dak Lak address a critical gap in Vietnam’s coffee industry: the disconnect between production and branding 2.

This integrated approach enables Every Half to develop climate-resilient coffee varieties such as Starmaya, Marsellesa, and Centroamericano—an increasingly important factor as climate change threatens coffee production 2.