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CTI: What are some success stories or impactful
moments from previous roundtables?
Akshat: There are so many stories. For example,
two participants from Amsterdam partnered and start-
ed their own venture after meeting at the roundtable.
Another success story involves a coffee shop owner
from Boston and a farmer from Guatemala. They con-
nected through the roundtable and now work together
to expand their business in the U.S. These connections
are invaluable.
CTI: I think it’s a brilliant idea. When I first heard
about it, I wasn’t sure if it was for me because it CTI: How do you ensure discussions at the
said “coffee owners.” But after doing some research, roundtable remain actionable and beneficial?
I realized it’s more inclusive. It’s such a great way Akshat: It’s about doing research and preparing in
to meet people, drink coffee, and connect. advance. Initially, I thought my role was just to get
Akshat: Yes, the pandemic made me realize how people to join, but I soon realized I needed to facilitate
important it is to connect with people. Before every- meaningful conversations. Ensuring discussions are
thing shut down, I was thinking about better ways to actionable involves understanding the participants’
connect with people face-to-face. But when we had to needs and guiding the conversation to address those
move everything online, I spent a lot of time learning needs effectively.
about the history of coffee. It’s more than just a shop; It’s not just about the history or coffee shops, but
it’s about people. Learning about how coffee traveled about understanding the people who join the roundtable,
the world and its history in places like Boston and right? It’s about learning more about participants’ moti-
France was fascinating. vations because that helps curate the entire experience.
As soon as we could host in-person roundtables Understanding this in advance helps ensure that people
again, I realized it’s all about making genuine connec- really take something meaningful from the conversation.
tions. That’s why I limit the number of participants to It’s about trusting the members, as these are real people
10 or fewer. It ensures everyone has time to interact, doing real work. You, for example, write about it, so your
making it more than just a webinar. It’s about deepen- contributions carry weight. When you’re part of the
ing those relationships, one person at a time. roundtable, it’s more than just desktop research; it’s about
moderating, curating, and following up to help people
CTI: Were there any challenges when you first set find closure and value in their conversations.
up the Coffee Owners Roundtable?
Akshat: Yes, it was a bit awkward at first, but also CTI: My next question is about your long-term
exciting. The awkward part came later when people didn’t goals for the roundtable. Are you focusing on the
always reply. But I was excited about making connections. present, or do you have a larger vision for the future?
I used to visit local coffee shops, talk to baristas and Akshat: The primary idea is to protect the essence
managers, learn their stories, and then invite them to the of it and keep it away from commercialization. It’s a
roundtable. The organizing part was awkward because I safe space for people to come together and have con-
didn’t enjoy reminding people to join. It was disappoint- versations among peers. One natural extension is the
ing when few people showed up, but I realized the numbers Coffee Futures Fund. With my background in invest-
weren’t the goal. It was about creating a meaningful space. ment banking and strategy, I know how to scale com-
panies. I have a deep love for coffee and significant
CTI: It sounds like you’ve stepped out of your com- on-ground knowledge about it now. After five or six
fort zone and learned a lot about yourself through years, I feel ready to change the conversation and take
this process. It’s interesting how such initiatives a step towards a Coffee Futures Fund.
push you to grow personally.
Akshat: Absolutely. Initially, I thought it would be
easy—I just needed to show up. But I quickly learned that
you have to work for it. Doing research, preparing topics
for discussion, and ensuring the conversations are engag-
ing and beneficial were all crucial aspects of hosting.

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