Apply for Winter 2027 Cohort by October 15
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$0k
$0k
Investment given
0%
0%
ownership retained
0
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Weeks of cohort
Built by operators, measured by the outcomes that matter to independent coffee shops.
about coffee futures program
Coffee Futures Fund is accepting applications for the Winter 2027 Batch funding cycle. The batch will take place virtually from January to March 2027.
The deadline to apply is October 15, 2026 at 8pm PT; if you apply before the deadline, you will get a decision by November 15, 2026. If you apply after the deadline, we will still consider the application but can't promise exactly when we'll get back to you.
If you want to apply, please submit your application online.
01
about coffee futures program
01
Coffee Futures Fund is accepting applications for the Winter 2027 Batch funding cycle. The batch will take place virtually from January to March 2027.
The deadline to apply is October 15, 2026 at 8pm PT; if you apply before the deadline, you will get a decision by November 15, 2026. If you apply after the deadline, we will still consider the application but can't promise exactly when we'll get back to you.
If you want to apply, please submit your application online.
Are you a fit?
You’re a fit if you:
✓ Own an independent, owner-led coffee shop that’s been open 1–4 years
✓ Can commit 5–8 hours a week for 10 weeks
✓ Want practical, coffee-specific guidance — not generic startup advice
✓ Are willing to open your numbers and learn alongside other owners
Every application is reviewed individually.
02
Are you a fit?
02
You’re a fit if you:
✓ Own an independent, owner-led coffee shop that’s been open 1–4 years
✓ Can commit 5–8 hours a week for 10 weeks
✓ Want practical, coffee-specific guidance — not generic startup advice
✓ Are willing to open your numbers and learn alongside other owners
Every application is reviewed individually.
Are you a fit?
02
You’re a fit if you:
✓ Own an independent, owner-led coffee shop that’s been open 1–4 years
✓ Can commit 5–8 hours a week for 10 weeks
✓ Want practical, coffee-specific guidance — not generic startup advice
✓ Are willing to open your numbers and learn alongside other owners
Every application is reviewed individually.
about the cohort
The 2027 batch will take place virtually. It starts with the orientation week, introductions to your peers and your mentor. For more information, please read our FAQs.
During the batch, we invite eminent people from the coffee world to speak. The founders and leaders of Madcap, Birch Coffee, Guilder Coffee, and Blue Bottle often come back to tell the inside story of what happens in their day to day, the struggles and their playbooks to succeed.
Every owner works with a dedicated CFF mentor, who gets to know them well and can help with a wide range of issues. Every CFF mentor is a successful coffee leader themselves, bringing combined 100 years of experience building coffee and hospitality businesses, and works closely with a small group of owners they personally hand-select every batch. The CFF cohort will be in a private channel with their peers, mentors and meet weekly during the batch.
You go through CFF as part of a small, independent group of coffee owners, have workshops with them each week, and build both personal and professional relationships. Many owners build lifelong friendships with the peers in the cohort.
During and after the batch, we introduce owners to people who can help with any challenge. Today, The CFF alumni community is one of the most powerful communities in the world, and its members have a strong commitment to help one another.
CFF doesn't end after 3 months. We continue to help owners for the life of their shop, and beyond — and so does the CFF alumni community. Read more here.
03
about the cohort
03
The 2027 batch will take place virtually. It starts with the orientation week, introductions to your peers and your mentor. For more information, please read our FAQs.
During the batch, we invite eminent people from the coffee world to speak. The founders and leaders of Madcap, Birch Coffee, Guilder Coffee, and Blue Bottle often come back to tell the inside story of what happens in their day to day, the struggles and their playbooks to succeed.
Every owner works with a dedicated CFF mentor, who gets to know them well and can help with a wide range of issues. Every CFF mentor is a successful coffee leader themselves, bringing combined 100 years of experience building coffee and hospitality businesses, and works closely with a small group of owners they personally hand-select every batch. The CFF cohort will be in a private channel with their peers, mentors and meet weekly during the batch.
You go through CFF as part of a small, independent group of coffee owners, have workshops with them each week, and build both personal and professional relationships. Many owners build lifelong friendships with the peers in the cohort.
During and after the batch, we introduce owners to people who can help with any challenge. Today, The CFF alumni community is one of the most powerful communities in the world, and its members have a strong commitment to help one another.
CFF doesn't end after 3 months. We continue to help owners for the life of their shop, and beyond — and so does the CFF alumni community. Read more here.
funding
Towards the end of the program, owners present their business plan to a group of mentors and investors, and have an opportunity to raise capital.
Top 2 owners in the cohort receive up to $50,000 investment each, through a revenue share model. You keep 100% ownership, give up no equity, and repay an agreed percentage of revenue over time, with a fixed cap. Repayments scale with your revenue: slow month, smaller payment.
All 10 shops get the full program, the mentors, and the community regardless of the funding outcome.
04
funding
04
Towards the end of the program, owners present their business plan to a group of mentors and investors, and have an opportunity to raise capital.
Top 2 owners in the cohort receive up to $50,000 investment each, through a revenue share model. You keep 100% ownership, give up no equity, and repay an agreed percentage of revenue over time, with a fixed cap. Repayments scale with your revenue: slow month, smaller payment.
All 10 shops get the full program, the mentors, and the community regardless of the funding outcome.
hear from our cohort owners
hear from our cohort owners
past & current
your mentors for the cohort
FAQ
questions about apply?
FAQ
questions about apply?
How long does the application take?
About 10 minutes. We ask about your shop, where you are in your growth, and what you're hoping to get out of the program. No business plan or financials required to apply.
What if my shop has been open less than a year?
The program is designed for shops 1–4 years in, but we review every application individually. If you're earlier stage, the Roundtable is a good place to start — and you can apply when the timing is right.
How much time does the program require?
The program runs for 10 weeks, with weekly workshops, mentorship sessions, and peer discussions. Most owners say the time investment pays back quickly in clarity and avoided mistakes.
What happens after I apply?
We review applications on a rolling basis and reach out within the posted time. If the cohort isn't the right fit right now, we'll let you know and point you toward other CFF resources.
Can I reapply if I'm not accepted?
Yes. Many owners apply across multiple cycles. If you're not selected, we'll share honest feedback on what would strengthen a future application.
2027 cohort
ready to apply?
Tell us about your shop. If Cohort 2027 isn’t the right fit, we’ll say so honestly and point you to the roundtable and Operator Series in the meantime.
2027 cohort
ready to apply?
Tell us about your shop. If Cohort 2027 isn’t the right fit, we’ll say so honestly and point you to the roundtable and Operator Series in the meantime.
2027 cohort
ready to apply?
Tell us about your shop. If Cohort 2027 isn’t the right fit, we’ll say so honestly and point you to the roundtable and Operator Series in the meantime.