Coffeeco Upcycle is a sustainability-focused company based in Patras, Greece, specializing in transforming coffee waste into valuable products such as skincare items and bioplastics. The company was co-founded by Alexis Pantziaros and Marios Vlachogiannis in 2021, both of whom are chemical engineers with a passion for reducing waste and promoting sustainability. As of 2025, Coffeeco Upcycle has successfully raised 715,000 as part of its 1 million seed round to accelerate its global expansion efforts.
Attribute | Information |
---|---|
Founding Date | 2021 |
Headquarters | Patras, Greece |
Founders | Alexis Pantziaros, Marios Vlachogiannis |
Revenue | N/A |
Profits | N/A |
Key Investors | VDK Capital |
Industry | Waste Management, Skincare |
Number of Employees | 2-10 |
Coffeeco Upcycle was founded in 2021 by chemical engineers Alexis Pantziaros and Marios Vlachogiannis, who met during an innovation competition in 2016. The company emerged from their shared vision to address the global issue of coffee waste by upcycling it into high-value products. They recognized the potential in transforming spent coffee grounds, which are mostly discarded as waste, into useful products. By 2022, Coffeeco Upcycle had begun collecting significant volumes of coffee waste and developed a proprietary method to extract valuable compounds for the cosmetics and bioplastics industries.
Coffeeco Upcycle operates on a sustainable business model where it collects coffee waste, primarily from espresso production, and converts it into skincare products and bioplastics. This innovative approach uses a proprietary extraction technology that is chemical-free, thereby producing materials that are environmentally friendly and commercially viable.
Coffeeco Upcycle is actively scaling its operations to meet the increasing demand for sustainable products created from upcycled coffee. The company currently processes over 10 tons of coffee waste monthly, aiming to double this capacity within two years. Its presence in key cities across Europe and North America positions it as a frontrunner in the transition towards a circular economy.
Coffeeco’s unique value proposition lies in its emphasis on sustainability and innovation, which has allowed it to carve a niche in the competitive skincare and bioplastics industries.
Coffeeco Upcycle was co-founded by Alexis Pantziaros and Marios Vlachogiannis. The founders have played significant roles in driving the company’s mission of sustainability and expanding its market reach.
While Coffeeco Upcycle is primarily based in Greece, it is actively seeking to expand internationally, including potential entry into Asian markets such as India, where coffee waste is abundant.
Coffeeco Upcycle is not directly associated with the chocolate industry. However, its expertise in upcycled ingredients presents potential synergies for collaborations in creating sustainable chocolate products using coffee extracts.
Coffeeco Upcycle represents a compelling example of how innovative thinking and a commitment to sustainability can transform waste into valuable resources. As it continues to expand its operations, the company is well-positioned to lead in the circular economy space, providing sustainable solutions to industries globally. Its ongoing expansion and investment into new markets indicate a promising future for this pioneering company.