Chinese Manufacturer CAYE Raises Recordbreaking Investment in Commercial Fully Automatic Coffee Machine Sector – CoffeeTalk

CAYE, a commercial fully automatic coffee machine brand established in December 2022, has secured nearly 400 million yuan in Series B financing, the largest in this sector to date. The funding round was led by Meituan Longzhu with participation from Borui Capital, Hillhouse Ventures, Suzhou Venture Capital Group, and Jiarui Capital. CAYE is notable for its innovative Bionic Barista system, which has revolutionized key processes in coffee preparation including grinding, weighing, spreading, tamping, and extraction, emphasizing food safety—a vital concern as the Chinese coffee industry grows.

Many traditional machines use low-cost POM plastics, which risk releasing harmful substances over time due to aging and hydrolysis. This poses potential health risks, especially as these machines largely dominate China’s coffee brands. CAYE has differentiated itself by designing machines with food-grade metal components, reducing food safety concerns related to plastic degradation. The founder, Wu Peng, acknowledges the monopolistic presence of foreign brands in the market but indicates that domestic innovations are reshaping safety and manufacturing standards.

CAYE’s advanced APW high-precision powder weight weighing system ensures minimal deviation in coffee preparation, resulting in significant cost savings by reducing coffee bean waste. Comparatively, traditional machines, often inefficient, need readjustments that lead to wasted resources. By maintaining self-sufficiency in the design and manufacture of key components, CAYE sets itself apart from traditional overseas producers who rely on third-party suppliers.

The brand has integrated cross-industry technology from various sectors, elevating manufacturing standards within coffee machine production. CAYE has filed over 300 patents, showing a strong commitment to innovation with a noteworthy tech achievement conversion rate of over 70%. Its complete technology matrix includes the VVD vertical vibration powder spreading system and the CLS fully automatic extraction closed-loop calibration system, which adapt to varying conditions without extensive manual adjustments.

CAYE is recognized at global industry exhibitions for its transparency and self-developed solutions, highlighting its innovative stance and confidence in digital disassembly of its machines for scrutiny. The product lineup employs a strategic naming approach paralleling Tesla’s SEXY model, offering products that range across all commercial sectors. The company has expanded its market significantly, achieving impressive sales that eclipse those of similar imported brands in China.

CAYE plans to utilize the recent financing for further R&D, production capacity advancements, and international market expansion. The production base in Suzhou aims for a capacity of over 40,000 units annually, with further expansion expected by 2028. Wu Peng is committed to eliminating unsafe plastic solutions, advocating for the adoption of food-grade metal standards in the industry to ensure a safe and high-quality coffee experience for consumers.

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