Guangzhou College Team Sells 100 Cups of Coffee at Maker Fair

When most stalls at a craft fair are selling jewelry, pottery, or knick-knacks, standing out takes more than just a good product—it takes insight. That’s what a group of university students discovered when they realized no one was selling coffee at an event full of shoppers who’d worked up a thirst exploring artisan booths.

The answer? A pop-up coffee stand that sold 100 cups in three days, beating other creative vendors on foot traffic and convenience alone.

A Bike-Themed Coffee Shop at a Craft Market

At Foshan’s first-ever Startup Market, held over three days and organized by the Chancheng District Human Resources and Social Security Bureau, most exhibitors showcased traditional crafts like metalwork and ceramics. But a small booth with a handful of copper bicycle sculptures, a portable espresso machine, a thermos, and basic brewing gear stood out. Operated by two students from Guangdong University of Technology—20-year-old sophomore Mak Zhipeng and his partner—the setup wasn’t about selling bike art, but about selling freshly ground coffee in a creative format.

The students dubbed their pop-up “The Bicycle Coffee Shop.” With no formal category for mobile coffee vendors, they stayed within event rules by decorating their coffee corner with the copper bike sculptures, merging a craft aesthetic with a caffeine fix.

Why Coffee Was Missing—and Why That Was the Opportunity

Before the event, Mak did his homework. "Most creative markets focus only on handmade goods," he said. "But people get thirsty while browsing. There was no coffee option, so we saw a clear gap." His hunch was right: while other booths attracted attention, few offered what visitors truly wanted mid-visit—a good cup of coffee.

The team’s setup included a compact espresso machine and a cooler for milk and beans, allowing them to serve classic espresso-based drinks on demand. They didn’t have a menu board, but they had a concept: fast, fresh, and portable coffee tailored for busy fairgoers.

From Late Night Prep to Surprising Success

The students faced real startup hurdles. "It’s just like the older generation says—earning money is hard," Mak recalled. "We did everything ourselves: sourcing beans, prepping ingredients, handling sales, and making the coffee. We had no idea how many people would show up or how much coffee to prepare." He stayed up until 3 a.m. the night before the event, then was back at 7 a.m. to set up. By 9 or 10 a.m., with crowds building, they hadn’t sold a single cup. "I was really scared," he admitted. "I thought no one would want what we were offering."

But their early struggle turned into a payoff. Over the three days, the Bicycle Coffee Shop sold 100 cups of coffee—an impressive result for a student-run stand in a non-traditional venue. Their success came down to filling an unmet need with a simple, well-executed concept.

What This Means for Student Entrepreneurs

Mak’s experience reflects a broader challenge for young entrepreneurs: finding affordable spaces and real-world opportunities to test business ideas. He previously tried setting up a campus coffee shop but was blocked by limited space and prohibitive rents near the university. "We don’t lack ideas," he said. "We lack the chance to try them out."

The Startup Market gave him that chance—and then some. The event, designed as a “creative bazaar,” attracted diverse stalls and offered participants a three-day platform to showcase their concepts to the public. Organizers aimed to help young entrepreneurs identify potential challenges early and refine their business models through real feedback.

Mak’s team finished among the top three, alongside a landscape design group and a ceramic arts venture. Their reward? Validation, experience, and newfound confidence. "This kind of market helps students discover practical problems in entrepreneurship and work through them hands-on," said a spokesperson from Chancheng District’s Human Resources Bureau. "We’ll keep running these events to support young talent."

Encouraged by the outcome, Mak plans to pitch his school administration for space to open an on-campus coffee shop. "Now I know the market is there. I just need the right space to make it happen," he said.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many cups of coffee did the student team sell?

The Bicycle Coffee Shop, run by students from Guangdong University of Technology, sold 100 cups of coffee over the three-day Foshan Startup Market event.

What kind of coffee did they serve?

The article does not specify the exact coffee beans or brew methods used, but the students operated a portable espresso machine and served espresso-based drinks to fairgoers.

Why didn’t other stalls sell coffee at the craft market?

Most vendors focused on selling traditional crafts like metalwork and ceramics. The students identified that no one else was offering coffee, creating an untapped opportunity.

How did the students prepare for the event?

The students sourced their own materials, prepared ingredients, and tested their setup. They stayed up until 3 a.m. the night before and arrived at 7 a.m. to set up for a 9 a.m. start.

What was the biggest challenge they faced?

The students struggled with uncertainty about foot traffic, preparation quantities, and selling in an unfamiliar setting. They initially sold no coffee by 10 a.m. but rebounded to sell 100 cups by the end of the event.

What did the organizers aim to achieve with the Startup Market?

The event aimed to give young entrepreneurs practical experience, help them identify business challenges early, and provide a platform for creative business testing and community feedback.

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