Cuzen Matcha just completed its first closing of a Series A funding round, raising US$3.6 million from investors, including lead investor Digital Garage Group, a prominent Japanese company known for its expertise in technology and venture capital investments, as well as Joyance Partners, and more than 20 angel investors.
Since launching in 2020, Cuzen Matcha has emerged as an innovator in the matcha tea market, revolutionizing the way matcha is prepared and consumed with its award-winning at-home Cuzen Matcha Maker and matcha leaf system, which produces freshly ground matcha from organic shade-grown leaves from Japan.
As demand for matcha continues to accelerate at a compound annual growth rate of 8.7 percent by 2030, this round of funding will help to expand Cuzen Matcha's market presence, while furthering the company's commitment to excellence and sustainability while honoring Japanese matcha tea culture. The company’s goal is to tap into the B2B market with the Cuzen Matcha Maker for Business.
“Cuzen Matcha has demonstrated a remarkable ability to combine technology, quality and tradition in a way that captivates consumers," said Masahito Okuma, member, board of directors, senior managing executive officer and CSO at Digital Garage. “We are excited to support their vision and contribute to their journey of reshaping the matcha tea industry.”
RELATED: World Tea News Q&A with Eijiro Tsukada, Founder and CEO of Cuzen Matcha
With the premium green tea market projected to reach US$26.16 billion in the United States by 2028*, Cuzen Matcha intends to cater to this growing demand by enabling the effortless preparation of authentic matcha with the touch of a button.
“This round of funding represents an exciting opportunity for Cuzen Matcha to expand its market presence,” said Eijiro ("Ey-jee-roh") Tsukada, founder and CEO of Cuzen Matcha. “Digital Garage Group, as our lead investor, further strengthens our position and enhances our prospects, especially as we move into the B2B market with the recent launch of the Cuzen Matcha Maker for Business. Their extensive experience and strong presence in the tech and start-up investment space will provide invaluable support as we continue to disrupt the traditional Japanese matcha tea industry and broaden our reach beyond the successful at-home Cuzen Matcha Maker system.”
The Cuzen Matcha Maker for Business blends the innovation and convenience of the Cuzen Matcha at-home Maker with the added capacity, reliability and value required for a restaurant or cafe.
The prototype of the Cuzen Matcha Maker for Business was unveiled in April, ensuring that each cup of matcha is easy-to-make and of high quality, something that hasn’t existed before with commercial matcha solutions.
Already more than 30 cafe owners have started conversations with Cuzen Matcha to collaborate toward the official launch of the commercial-use machine, and popular establishments like Dean + Deluca Hawaii, Bottega Louie, and Michelin-star chefs like SingleThread's Kyle Connaughton are already using the original Cuzen Matcha System in their establishments.
“I've had the honor of carrying the at-home Cuzen Matcha Maker at our cafe and restaurant,” said Yohei Takahashi, president of Dean and Deluca Hawaii. “There are many cafes and restaurants that serve matcha drinks, but they do not come close to capturing the authentic flavor that this machine creates. Its simple operation requires easy staff training. Because of the high demand for matcha, Cuzen Matcha Maker for Business would be beneficial for my restaurant. I can't wait to try the Cuzen Matcha Maker for Business and create more matcha recipes.”
Cuzen's award-winning freshly ground matcha-making at-home system is currently available to order at CuzenMatcha.com and on Amazon.
The new Cuzen Matcha Maker for Business will roll out in 2024. Cafes and restaurants can sign up to beta test a limited number of Cuzen Matcha Maker for Business prototypes at Collaborate with Cuzen Matcha.
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