How 63 Strangers Crowdfunded a Dream Coffee Shop in Xi’an

In a city where buying a square meter of housing can cost thousands, 4,000 yuan might seem like pocket change. But in Xi’an, that modest sum became the ticket to co-ownership of a real coffee shop—for 63 complete strangers. This is the story of how a shared dream, a tragic loss, and an online post turned into China’s first network-funded café.

The answer is 4,000 yuan. In early 2012, 63 people each invested that minimum amount—some gave far more—to collectively raise 780,000 yuan and open a brick-and-mortar coffee shop in Xi’an called 'Our Coffee Shop.' It became China’s first café funded entirely through online crowdsourcing among strangers.

The Birth of an Unlikely Idea

It all started with a simple coffee meetup. In January 2012, Ma Lin, an editor from Xi’an, was in Beijing for work. While waiting to meet writers at a café near Zizhuyuan, she noticed something unusual: the place was co-owned by over 20 friends. Intrigued, she chatted with the staff and learned how a group of people had come together to run a café as a shared venture. That casual coffee shop visit planted a seed.

Soon after, Ma Lin received devastating news: a close friend had been diagnosed with terminal liver cancer. During her final hospital visit, the friend expressed deep regret about never having traveled to Tibet, a dream left unfulfilled. A week later, the friend passed away. That loss haunted Ma Lin—and reignited her own long-buried dream of opening a coffee shop.

On February 11, 2012, she published a blog post titled “4,000 Yuan, Let’s Open a Many-People Coffee Shop.” She invited anyone with a similar dream—foodies, aspiring entrepreneurs, coffee lovers—to contribute a minimum of 4,000 yuan (and a maximum of 40,000) to open a café together. Her post emphasized community, creativity, and turning small contributions into something much larger: “Here, we can bring together a little bit of idealism, money, time, wisdom, and talent… to let dreams blossom in the soil of reality.”

From Skepticism to a Full House of Investors

At first, reactions were mixed. Some loved the idea: “Your concept is unique,” wrote one supporter. “I’ve always wanted to open a coffee shop but never had the funds,” said 25-year-old office worker Zhang Yin. Others were skeptical: Could 4,000-yuan shares from dozens—or hundreds—of people really build a functioning café? How would a massive group of strangers ever agree on management or menus?

Ma Lin refined the plan: the business would be legally structured as a limited liability company, with a board of directors and a supervisory committee. Shareholders agreed not to transfer ownership for three years to maintain stability. Profits would be modest, reinvested until the business found its feet. “We’re not in this for fast money,” Ma Lin insisted. “We’re using quality ingredients, not cutting corners—and that means profits won’t be huge at first.”

Within days of posting her idea on Weibo, the post was shared over 3,500 times. By late February, 20 people showed up to the first unofficial shareholder meeting. Eventually, 63 people signed on—from millennials to boomers, professionals to blue-collar workers, some driving Mercedes-Benzes, others riding bikes. Together, they raised 780,000 yuan.

Finding a Home for the Dream

Securing a location wasn’t easy. The first choice—a quaint old building in Beilin District—fell through when the landlord got cold feet about renting to a collective of 63 strangers. “We were told it would be too complicated,” shareholders recalled. After weeks of searching, they settled on a 150-square-meter, three-story space on Taiyangmiao Street near the bustling Xiaonanmen area—a quieter spot within the city pulse.

“This place isn’t just a coffee shop,” Ma Lin said. “It’s a symbol of what happens when strangers come together for a dream. It’s our community, our creative outlet, and our safe space.” The group agreed on a mission: “Slow down, warm each other, and dream together.”

Designing a Space Filled with Stories

Swimmer, a trendy designer shareholder, led the interior design. The goal wasn’t just aesthetics—it was storytelling. “This isn’t normal investment behavior,” she said. “It’s about strangers uniting through belief and dreams, something completely unprecedented in China.”

The café’s character came from personal touches: a second-floor toy shelf filled with travel souvenirs, a vintage Forever bicycle mounted on the third-floor stairway, and a quirky third-floor nook with Russian Tetris-style bookshelves, a shareholder-painted logo wall made of dozens of colorful coffee beans, and an old-school projector screen backed by walls covered in antique English newspapers—all contributed by the owners themselves.

Challenges, Compromises, and Community Decisions

Not everything was harmonious. In August 2012, a heated debate erupted over coffee bean suppliers. Different factions argued passionately. To resolve it, the board instituted a democratic vote: each 2,000-yuan share equaled one vote, and 10,000 yuan equaled five. The majority ruled—fairly, transparently, and without hard feelings.

Love, Laughter, and a Grand Opening

On October 18, 2012, Our Coffee Shop officially opened. To celebrate, Ma Lin baked her signature pastries and gave them away free to the first customers. Amid the excitement, a love story quietly blossomed. Designer Han Ya and lawyer Wang Qin met during shareholder meetings. Wang proposed a rule capping individual investment at 40,000 yuan to prevent dominance—an idea everyone supported. Their chemistry was instant, and they worked side by side throughout the build-out. Soon, romance sparked. By January 18, 2013, they got engaged in the café. “Because of this place,” Wang said, “we went from strangers to partners. And I found love—in the most unexpected way.”

The café also became a hub for connection: free classes on coffee and baking, youth entrepreneurship talks, movie nights, and dating events. On Valentine’s Day 2013, a customer named Zhong Sheng proposed to his girlfriend inside the café. Shareholders transformed the projection room into a romantic backdrop of roses and a video montage of their love story. “When I saw that,” Ma Lin said, “I thought—how could we not pour our hearts into this place? People come here to make memories that last forever.”

How They Run the Shop

Our Coffee Shop operates on a unique shared-management model. Regular shareholders’ meetings elect an executive director, a supervisory board, and a six-person management team. The remaining shareholders take turns—two per month—helping run daily operations and reporting back. Major decisions go to a full shareholder vote.

The café also doubles as a community space. “We’re not just selling coffee,” Ma Lin said. “We’re creating a place where people can connect, create, and celebrate life together.”

Frequently Asked Questions

How much did each person invest to start the coffee shop?

Each person invested a minimum of 4,000 yuan, with a maximum allowed of 40,000 yuan. Most investors contributed the minimum, and together 63 people raised a total of 780,000 yuan to open the shop.

What was the legal structure of the coffee shop?

The coffee shop was registered as a limited liability company (LLC). It had a formal board of directors and supervisory committee, and shareholders agreed not to transfer their shares for three years to ensure stability.

How did they decide on a location for the café?

The first choice was a historic building in Beilin District, but the landlord backed out due to concerns about group ownership. Eventually, they rented a 150-square-meter, three-story space on Taiyangmiao Street, a quieter area near a busy district in Xi’an.

What challenges did the group face while setting up the coffee shop?

Challenges included finding a willing landlord, managing a large group of strangers, resolving disagreements (like choosing coffee bean suppliers), and making collective decisions. They handled disputes through democratic voting based on share value.

Did the coffee shop become a community hub beyond just serving coffee?

Yes. The café hosted events such as free baking and coffee classes, youth entrepreneurship talks, movie nights, dating events, and even proposals. It became a space for both coffee and connection.

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