Copper Cow Coffee is a Vietnamese coffee company that offers a convenient, organic coffee experience without requiring additional equipment. Appearing on Shark Tank Season 12, Episode 25, the company was founded by Debbie Wei Mullin, a Vietnamese-American from California.
Debbie, passionate about Vietnamese culture and its traditional sweet, creamy coffee, sought $600,000 for 4% equity at a $15 million valuation to expand her business globally. Robert Herjavec ultimately invested in the company.
Copper Cow Coffee prides itself on its authentic Vietnamese coffee, made from dark-roasted beans with sweetened condensed milk. The company’s unique approach involves a simple “pour-over” method using biodegradable filters.
Customers place the filter in a cup, add hot water, and brew the coffee. The addition of Copper Cow creamer, available in flavors such as Classic, Mocha, and others, completes the experience. The coffee and creamer are free from preservatives.
In addition to coffee, Copper Cow Coffee offers a variety of teas and lattes:
Lattes:
- Best Brews Latte Sampler
- Pumpkin Spice Latte
- Classic
- Mocha
- Churro
- Vanilla
- Salted Caramel
- Raspberry Mocha
- Ginger
- Lavender
- Classic Decaf
Teas:
- Thai Iced Tea
- Chai Tea Latte
- Matcha Tea Latte
Pricing:
8 Filter coffee packs: $16
5 Tea packs: $18
5 Latte packs: $18
8 Creamers: $8
| Company Name | Copper Cow Coffee |
| Founder | Debbie Wei Mullin |
| Founded | 2017 |
| Product | Vietnamese coffee pour-over set |
| Asked For | $600k for 4% equity |
| Final Deal | $600k for 8% equity |
| Shark | Robert Herjavec |
| Episode (Shark Tank USA) | S12 E25 |
| Air Date | May 21, 2021 |
| Business Status | In Business |
| Net Worth | $1.1 Million *estimated |
| Website | Visit Website |
| Headquarters | Los Angeles, California, US |
| Go To Amazon | Buy Now |
Another Shark Tank Pitch
Who Is The Founder Of Copper Cow Coffee?
Debbie Wei Mullin, the founder and CEO of Copper Cow Coffee, is a Vietnamese-American with a deep appreciation for Vietnamese culture and coffee. Born in California, she completed her Bachelor of Economics at the University of California, Berkeley.
Her professional journey includes roles as a Research Assistant at the Urban Institute for 1 year and 6 months, followed by an MCP in Urban Studies and Planning from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She served as a Senior Program Officer at The Asia Foundation for 2 years and 8 months and has experience with the World Bank.
In 2014, Debbie founded Wei Pantry, a nationally distributed line of all-natural Vietnamese heritage foods. She launched Copper Cow Coffee in Los Angeles in January 2017.
How Was The Shark Tank Pitch Of Copper Cow Coffee?
Debbie Wei Mullin entered Shark Tank with Copper Cow Coffee, seeking $600,000 for 4% equity at a $15 million valuation. She shared the story of her Vietnamese coffee and explained its unique preparation process. Debbie started this business in January 2017 after leaving her job at the World Bank.
Each box of Copper Cow Coffee has a production cost of $3.10 and sells for $15. By 2017, her product was available in 1,000 stores, with total sales reaching $4 million. Sales figures included $170,000 in 2017, $500,000 in 2018, $1.6 million in 2019, and $2 million in 2020, with a 70% profit margin. The company derives 80% of its sales from online channels and 20% from retail.
Despite achieving significant sales, Debbie reported a loss of $1.4 million in 2019. She raised $2 million in a seed round in 2018 and currently has $1.5 million in the bank. She also raised $1.5 million in a subsequent venture round at a $15 million valuation.
Lori Greiner liked the product’s packaging but chose to withdraw, noting that similar technology is already available in Japan. Kevin O’Leary deemed the investment too expensive and also declined.
Robert Herjavec expressed interest, proposing $600,000 for 8% equity at a $7.5 million valuation. Debbie countered with a request for $600,000 for 4.5% equity plus a 1% advisory share. Robert agreed to her counteroffer, and the deal was finalized with him acquiring 8% equity.
Finalize: Robert Herjavec invested $600k in Copper Cow Company for 8% equity.
Copper Cow Coffee Shark Tank Update
Robert Herjavec signed a deal with Copper Cow Coffee, which had a $15 million valuation but agreed to the deal at a $7.5 million valuation.
The company offers both Vietnamese-style and American-style coffee, with options for subscription and one-time purchases. Subscriptions provide additional discounts.
As of September 2022, Copper Cow Coffee ships only within the United States and does not accept international orders. The company caters to hospitality and wholesale markets, ensuring all ingredients are natural and free from harmful additives.
Copper Cow Coffee has partnered with numerous retail stores across the U.S., including Thrive Market, Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, Walmart, Whole Foods, and Sprouts Farmers Market. By September 2022, the coffee was available in 2,323 retail stores.
Copper Cow Coffee raised $11.5 million from 13 investors in six funding rounds as of May 4, 2021. The latest round on that date secured $8.5 million from eight investors, with lead investors including Arborview Capital and Cultivian Sandbox Ventures.
In August 2022, the company launched a new Pumpkin Spice Latte product. By October 2022, the company’s annual revenue was estimated at $3 million.
The company also offered a Halloween promotion, with a ‘Halloween Mystery Treat Bag’ priced at $17. Despite these developments, the company’s annual revenue in 2021 was approximately $1 million, with profits remaining low.
Copper Cow Coffee is available in major U.S. retail stores and Hilton Hotels, benefiting from substantial funding in both the Series A and seed rounds.
What Is Copper Cow Coffee’s Net Worth?
Copper Cow Coffee is currently operating with minimal profit and is estimated to be worth around $1.1 million. Despite this, the company benefits from significant sales due to its presence in major U.S. supermarkets.
Vietnam, the world’s second-largest coffee exporter, contributes billions of dollars in coffee exports annually. Copper Cow Coffee leverages this by offering high-quality Vietnamese coffee, which is in high demand globally. Their product includes a creamer that enhances the coffee’s taste, making it even more appealing.
The company is privately owned and headquartered in the Greater Los Angeles Area on the West Coast of the U.S.
Yes, Copper Cow Coffee, Inc. is still in business as of August 2024.
