The retail coffee brand launched by social media influencer Emma Chamberlain has closed $7m Series A funding, with Ole & Steen and Lagkagehuset founders, Ole Kristoffersen and Steen Skallebaek among the investors
Chamberlain Coffee has secured $7m investment in a Series A funding round led by Blazar Capital.
Investors include the founders of Ole & Steen / Lagkagehuset, Ole Kristoffersen and Steen Skallebaek, Grin founder, Brandon Brown, DTC expert Nik Sharma, and beverage industry veteran Ken Sadowsky.
First launched by then 18-year-old Emma Chamberlain in 2019, Chamberlain Coffee has gained favour with a younger generation of coffee consumers, supported by a strong social media presence, including nearly 16 million Instagram followers and 12 million YouTube subscribers.
“Chamberlain Coffee has grown exponentially since its inception, and this is only the beginning. In finding a group of investors for the brand who believe in and share our vision, we know Chamberlain Coffee will reach new heights and become the go-to coffee brand of this generation,” said Chamberlain Coffee CEO Christopher Gallant.
“I am still in awe of how many people share that same passion and have fallen in love with our products. To be able to grow this business, launch new products and work in this space every day is a dream come true,” said Chamberlain Coffee founder and investor Emma Chamberlain.
Chamberlain Coffee’s growing success highlights the importance of social media channels for coffee brands and professionals seeking to engage Gen Z audiences. According to Forbes, the social media influencing market is estimated to be worth $15bn.
In the UK, World Coffee Portal research shows social media is frequently cited by operators as the most effective method of marketing.
Starbucks was an early adopter of influencer marketing, launching its 2016 ‘Starbucks Challenge’ campaign with YouTube stars Rosanna Pansino and iJustine.
In 2020 US bakery and coffee giant Dunkin’ enlisted TikTok influencer Charli D'Amelio to market a range of food and beverage products. That year, coffee preparation was among the top 10 trends on social media platform, TikTok.
Meanwhile, 2022 US Barista Champion Morgan Eckroth has garnered more than seven million followers through their MorganDrinksCoffee channels across TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube.
