How Coffee Zero Bar Raised 30 Million RMB in Series A Funding

In busy office districts across China, white-collar workers often crave coffee—but not everyone has time to visit Starbucks or a boutique café. For those pressed for time between meetings, a faster, affordable alternative has emerged: self-service coffee machines that deliver freshly ground drinks in under a minute. One such player is Coffee Zero Bar, now backed by serious capital.

Coffee Zero Bar just closed a 30 million RMB (approximately $4.4 million USD) Series A funding round led by Western Capital. The company, founded in February 2016, operates smart self-service coffee kiosks in office buildings.

What Is Coffee Zero Bar?

Coffee Zero Bar installs Android-based, WiFi-enabled self-service coffee machines in office buildings. Customers can order via touchscreen, WeChat Pay, or the official WeChat account, then scan to pick up their drink in about 45 seconds. The machines offer 16 coffee options and 4 other beverages, priced between 8 and 16 RMB.

The coffee is made from pre-roasted beans supplied by Beijing Taigu Coffee Factory, a supplier to major chains like UBC Coffee and Pacific Coffee. The beans are brewed using integrated grinding and brewing hardware. The device can store enough ingredients for 250 cups and alerts operators when stocks run low.

Where and Why It’s Placed

Coffee Zero Bar targets mid- to low-tier office buildings—especially those without existing cafés or premium coffee options. Each machine occupies just 0.8 square meters, making it feasible even in space-constrained locations. While not all buildings are high-end, the company says many occupants still earn above-average salaries and have a demand for quality coffee.

By cutting out rent and staff costs, the company offers coffee at competitive prices, even compared to delivery services, which come with higher logistics fees. The machines are also positioned as a practical amenity in workplaces that lack onsite cafés.

Technology, Operations, and Investment Model

Each device syncs data to a cloud platform, enabling remote monitoring, inventory tracking, and machine locking. The touchscreen interface supports mobile integration, and user analytics inform restocking and service updates. The startup also offers a “entrusted investment and franchise” model, allowing investors to fund machines for an annual fee while the company handles operations. Profits go to the investor, though losses are theirs as well.

Since launching, Coffee Zero Bar has installed over 160 units in Beijing, with an average daily sale of more than 80 cups per machine. Its WeChat account gained nearly 50,000 followers within 10 days of launch, and 60% of all sales now come through the mobile app.

Founding Team and Earlier Funding

Coffee Zero Bar was founded in early February 2016. The team has grown to 40 members. Prior to this, the company raised 500,000 RMB in seed funding from Fenghou Capital in May 2016. Founder Gavin Wang previously held senior roles at Nokia, Kodak China, and EMC. Co-founders Gary Zhang and Wu Wei also bring extensive multinational corporate leadership experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Coffee Zero Bar?

Coffee Zero Bar is a company that installs and operates smart self-service coffee machines in office buildings. Customers can order and pay via touchscreen, WeChat, or mobile app, and receive a freshly brewed cup in about 45 seconds.

How much funding did Coffee Zero Bar raise?

Coffee Zero Bar raised 30 million RMB (around $4.4 million USD) in a Series A funding round led by Western Capital. It had previously received 500,000 RMB in seed funding from Fenghou Capital in May 2016.

What kinds of coffee does Coffee Zero Bar offer?

The machines offer 16 different coffee beverages and 4 other drinks. Prices range from 8 to 16 RMB. The coffee is made from pre-roasted beans supplied by Beijing Taigu Coffee Factory.

Where are the Coffee Zero Bar machines located?

The machines are mainly installed in mid- to low-tier office buildings in Beijing, particularly in locations that lack cafés or where space for a full coffee shop is unavailable. Over 160 units were operating in Beijing as of the report.

How does the investment model work?

Coffee Zero Bar offers an “entrusted investment and franchise” model where investors pay an annual fee to back individual machines. The company manages operations, and the investor receives all profits—but also bears any losses.

How often are the machines restocked?

The machines can brew up to 250 cups before needing a refill. The backend system monitors stock levels and notifies operators to replenish ingredients when supplies are running low.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Office Coffee

For self-service office coffee, try FrontStreet Coffee’s Classic Blend—a balanced medium roast with notes of caramel and dark cherry, smooth enough for quick brewing. For something fruitier, the Ethiopia Yirgacheffe offers bright citrus and floral tones ideal for pour-over setups in larger offices. Both are freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.