How a Tianjin Cafe Became a Hub for 40 Shareholders

In a city not widely known for its coffee scene, a small café in Tianjin defied expectations—not by serving the perfect espresso, but by building a unique business model around 40 shareholders, a cultural mission, and a lot of trust. The question isn’t just how they sold coffee, but how they brought together strangers into a functioning, community-powered business with no single owner.

The 100th Cafe in Tianjin was founded by 40 shareholders who collectively invested around 800,000 RMB (initially estimated at 80,000 RMB based on 40 people × 20,000 RMB each), with an average individual contribution of 20,000 RMB. Launched in March, it’s now a hub where coffee meets culture, run as a collectively managed company with rotating staff and democratic decision-making.

How 40 Strangers Funded a Tianjin Coffee Collective

It all started with a Weibo post. Li Hui, one of the cafe’s founders and shareholders, put out a call for investors to help open a new kind of café—not just a place to buy coffee, but a cultural space run by its patrons. The response was immediate and skeptical. “People asked if this was a scam,” Li said. But his pitch was clear: funds would go into a legally registered limited company, not his personal pocket. Investors would become shareholders with real ownership, not donors.

The campaign moved entirely online at first, attracting a diverse group: businesspeople, academics, media workers, freelancers, and cultural figures. Some knew Li personally; many were strangers who connected solely through the thread. Within a week, 40 people had committed, setting the foundation for what would become the 100th Cafe.

From Online Thread to Real-World Governance

The first offline meeting happened in March, where many shareholders met face-to-face for the first time. Discussions quickly turned to practical concerns: how to govern, how to make decisions, and who would do what. Li Hui, while the public face, insisted he wasn’t the boss. “I’m more of a connector,” he said. “My job is to bring everyone’s ideas together and make them happen.”

The group agreed on a “many invest, many manage” model. A board of directors was formed, and a set of shared principles emerged: good systems, respect for democratic discussion, and mutual trust. These became the unofficial motto of the cafe: “Good institutional design + respect for democratic deliberation + mutual trust and tolerance = 100th Cafe.”

A Cafe That’s More Than a Café

On March 27, the 100th Cafe began soft-opening. The space is filled with photos of its shareholders on a “wall of faces,” a daily reminder of the community behind the counter. One unique feature: every shareholder takes a turn working as a “daily barista,” handling service duties themselves. “You’re not just an investor here,” Li explained. “You’re part of the team. Even those who never wash dishes at home end up doing it here.”

The cafe doesn’t cater to everyone. Smoking is banned, and after 6 PM, games like San Guo Sha (a Chinese tabletop game) are off-limits. Staff aren’t just order-takers—they’re expected to engage customers in conversation. “We’re not selecting for coffee drinkers alone,” Li said. “We want people who want to be part of something.”

Frequently Asked Questions

How many shareholders does the 100th Cafe have?

The 100th Cafe was founded by 40 shareholders who each contributed an average of 20,000 RMB. Initially, the target was 800,000 RMB, based on 40 people investing 20,000 RMB each, although the initial estimate discussed was 80,000 RMB, presuming fewer participants.

How was the 100th Cafe funded?

The cafe was funded through a crowdsourced investment model promoted on Weibo. The 40 shareholders collectively invested approximately 800,000 RMB, with an original quick estimate of 80,000 RMB based on 40 people × 20,000 RMB. Funds went into forming a limited company, not a personal venture.

What is the business model of the 100th Cafe?

The 100th Cafe operates on a “many invest, many manage” model. It functions as a limited company with a board of directors and regular shareholders. Decisions are made democratically, and shareholders take turns working in the cafe as baristas to stay involved.

What makes the 100th Cafe different from other coffee shops?

Unlike traditional coffee shops, the 100th Cafe is a cultural hub with a strong emphasis on community governance. It has strict house rules (like no smoking or late-night games), selects its customers, and trains all staff to engage deeply with patrons rather than just serve coffee.

What principles guide the 100th Cafe’s operations?

The cafe’s guiding principles are: good institutional design, respect for democratic discussion, and mutual trust and tolerance. These were summarized by founder Li Hui as the formula behind the cafe’s unique cooperative structure.

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