SG-based bean-free coffee supplier Prefer raises US$2m in seed funding round

500 Global and SEEDS Capitals were amongst the startup’s investors.

Singapore startup Prefer raised US$2m in its seed round, participated by 500 Global, A*ccelerate, Better Bite Ventures, Sopoong Ventures, SEEDS Capital, Entrepreneur First and Pickup Coffee.

Forge Ventures led the funding round.

Prefer provides bean-free coffee compatible with standard espresso machines to their business-to-business (B2B) customers, including cafes, coffee chains, distributors, and flavour houses.

Prefer also offers ready-to-drink bottled coffee for quick-service food businesses, events, and retail shelves.

The startup can produce a more suitable and affordable coffee through its proprietary fermentation technology, which upcycles surplus bread, soy pulp, and spent grain.

Prefer was founded by Jake Berber and Ding Jie Tan.