| Name of the beneficiary | Abhishek Acharya |
| Project/Programme Name | PGDM-BE, 2014-2016 |
| Name of the enterprise floated | Co-founder of Theka Coffee |
| Initial Investment | 5 lakh |
| Employment Generated | 250 people directly employed and another 1500 who works for Theka brand |
| Present Turnover | 40 crores |
| Funds Raised, if any | Raised 20 crores in 2 rounds of funding |
| Awards Rec’d | Special Jury Award for Emerging Entrepreneur, 2022 |
Name of the Beneficiary
Abhishek Acharya
Project/Programme Name
PGDM-BE, 2014-2016
Present Turnover
40 crores
Initial Investment
5 lakh
Employment Generated
250 people directly employed and another 1500 who works for Theka brand
Name of the enterprise floated
- Co-founder of Theka Coffee
Funds Raised
- Raised 20 crores in 2 rounds of funding
Awards Received
- Special Jury Award for Emerging Entrepreneur, 2022
Abhishek Acharya’s journey from selling football t-shirts in school to creating success with a new-gen coffee chain business, reflects his deep connection with the entrepreneurial spirit in him. After completing his undergraduate studies in Economics, he opted for EDII’s PG programme to refine his business skills and develop new competencies.
His time at EDII proved transformative, as he puts it. The course nurtured his entrepreneurial skills and helped him convert his ideas into structured plans, teaching him how to navigate challenges and build a successful enterprise. In 2018, Abhishek became co-founded Theka Coffee, a chain of coffee outlets. Theka coffee sources premium, 100% Arabica coffee beans from Chikmagalur, Karnataka, empowering local communities. Theka’s coffee packing was the instant hit among the young generation of coffee lovers as they serve coffee in beer bottles. For the brand, the turning point was when they appeared on Shark Tank India (an Indian business reality show), and gained wide recognition.
Theka Coffee was started merely with an investment of Rs. 5 lakh. Today it is a Rs. 40 crore turnover brand,employing over 250 people directly and creating livelihood opportunities for 1,500 peoplethrough its multiple operations. Theka Coffee has also raised Rs. 20 crore in two funding rounds. They ventured into Theka Kiosks in Reliance Mart outlets in 18 states, thus scaling rapidly and reaching a valuation of Rs. 120 crore.
Abhishek’s challenges were not small. He faced them all with a strong resolve and conquered to emerge as a trusted brand. He dared to build a strong supply chain and create a unique product in the competitive beverage market. He acknowledges the support and guidance he received from EDII’s faculty, mentioning that it played a crucial role in keeping him focused and motivated during difficult times. In 2022, he was honoured with the Special Jury Award for Emerging Entrepreneur by the Institute.
Abhishek has strategic plans to position Theka Coffee as a leading name in India’s consumer goods sector.