Almaw Molla, Founder and CEO, COFFEE RESURRECT
Looking at a pile of used coffee beans and intrigued by its lingering scent filling the air, we often whisper in regret, “What a waste!” But, Almaw Molla, a young, enthusiastic man from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, could not just shrug it off. Amidst the layers of trash, he found immense opportunity.
Coffee, which kickstarts our mornings, is also ranked the world’s second most traded commodity after petroleum, shaping not only economies but also cultures. Yet, behind every aromatic cup lies a bitter truth: 23 million tons of coffee waste annually decompose into methane, a greenhouse gas with a yearly environmental toll equivalent to 10 million car emissions. For Almaw Molla, an Ethiopian entrepreneur, this paradox became a calling. “Having had coffee in cafes and restaurants for years, we became sick and tired of seeing more and more coffee grounds being needlessly sent to landfills,” he shares. And his story began, not with a perfect cup of coffee— but with the dregs that it left behind.
Almaw Molla set his sights on an audacious mission to upcycle spent coffee ground and unlock its discarded potential. Together with his co-founder, Seblegenet Aklilu, an expert with nine years of experience in the coffee industry, the duo embarked on an ambitious journey to redefine coffee’s lifecycle.
Seblegenet recalls, “One day, having a chat with the impact entrepreneur Almaw we just put it into COFFEE RESURRECT—the next phenomenal firm in coffee industry history.” In 2021, they launched Coffee Resurrect Inc., Africa’s first biotechnology firm, transforming coffee waste into premium ingredients for food, nutraceuticals, and personal care. This innovative approach, rooted in sustainable practices, became the core of their mission.
Defying the Odds: The Challenges of Building a Biotech Startup in Africa
Launching a biotech company in Africa isn’t a walk in the park. The lack of industry know-how and upcycling awareness posed significant hurdles. Almaw knew he had to do more than just create a product, he needed to ignite a movement. “We launched the 5th Coffee Movement campaign in 2021 and participated in numerous podiums across Africa, Europe, the U.S., Russia, Australia, and Saudi Arabia to raise awareness,” explains Almaw.
Yet, beyond awareness, funding and specialized talent remain critical challenges. With a biotech business requiring substantial investment in research, development, and operations, Almaw had to strategize. “We focused on a few products that we can easily sell to generate cash flow in conjunction with raising funding,” he says. The company has also tapped into global talent pools through platforms like Y Combinator and LinkedIn to attract the brightest minds to its mission.
Leading with Purpose: The COFFEE RESURRECT Leadership Philosophy
At Coffee Resurrect, leadership is less about hierarchy and more about collective ingenuity. Almaw’s leadership style is a fusion of democratic, transformational, and strategic principles, nurturing a culture where “entrepreneurial judgment” drives innovation. “We believe in collaboration and cumulative knowledge,” he notes. The team co-creates local solutions that solve global problems, balancing environmental goals with market demands. Almaw’s leadership is not about maintaining the status quo but setting new standards, pushing boundaries, and inspiring his team to align with a greater purpose.
Almaw’s philosophy goes beyond their laboratory work. The company champions circular economy models, in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), stressing that reducing waste is crucial for both the environment and the economy. As Almaw puts it, “Our focus on regeneration covers everything from sourcing to distribution,” ensuring minimal impact and maximum benefit at every stage.”
Sustainability at the Core: Science Meets Stewardship
At COFFEE RESURRECT, sustainability is not just a corporate buzzword—it is the foundation of their business model. “Choosing to be eco-friendlier not only benefits the climate but also boosts our employees’ productivity, enhances operational efficiency, and strengthens our brand,” Almaw says. The company employs state-of-the-art technologies, such as supercritical CO2 extraction, which significantly reduces solvent use and energy consumption. They’re using cool tech to turn those coffee grounds into useful stuff, and they’re doing it in a way that’s good for the planet. From skincare serums to functional foods, Coffee Resurrect’s ingredients allow brands to marry efficacy with ethics.
Balancing Act: The Entrepreneur’s Tightrope
For Almaw, entrepreneurship is not a 9-5 job, it’s a vocation, where his professional goals manifest personal values. Yet, balancing a startup’s demands with personal well-being requires discipline. Almaw strategically diversifies funding, maintaining a keen focus on commercialization. This approach strengthens his financial stability, allowing him to remain focused and confidently navigate business risks. “The business roadmap may change, but my personal roadmap remains steadfast,” he affirms.
For young entrepreneurs looking to build sustainable businesses, Almaw’s advice is rooted in wisdom and empathy. He invites newbies to embrace circular business models and commit to creating local solutions that would address global problems. “Never compromise on your commitment to creating a positive social and environmental impact,” Almaw declares. He stresses authenticity and grit—qualities that earned Coffee Resurrect accolades like Top 10 African Startup and Founder of the Year at the 2021 Eastern Africa Startup Awards. Accolades like winner of Founder of the Year at the 2021 Eastern Africa Startup Awards, Entrepreneurship World Cup Top 100 in 2021, Top 30 finalists UAE FoodTech Challenge in 2022, African Winner in Best Genentech at the Global Startup Awards 2023, Top 5 Sustainable Food Awards, Top 49 finalists Food tech World Cup 2024, and Winner of Sustainable Beauty Ingredients Awards -2022 in Paris.
Vision for the Future: Scaling a Global Coffee Revolution
Coffee Resurrect’s ambitions stretch beyond Ethiopia. With eyes on Kenya and South Africa—key sourcing and production hubs—the company plans to expand its footprint. In-house R&D continues to innovate, exploring novel extracts from coffee husks and pulp. “We’re introducing lipids, polyphenols, and tocopherols,” Almaw reveals, targeting industries hungry for sustainable alternatives.
The roadmap prioritizes four levers: geography, channels, customer segments, and product categories. Already, partnerships with food and cosmetic giants signal growing demand. “This isn’t just about waste,” Almaw asserts. “It’s about reimagining coffee’s role in a climate-conscious world.”
Brewing Possibilities: A Groundbreaking Legacy
Almaw Molla is not just an entrepreneur—he is a changemaker, a disruptor, and a visionary. What began as a graduate thesis is now a movement poised to revolutionize an industry. With every coffee ground saved, every product launched, and every investor convinced, COFFEE RESURRECT is not just minimizing waste—it is maximizing possibility.
Almaw Molla’s story is a reminder that sometimes, the best ideas come from looking at the things we usually throw away. He’s turning trash into treasure, and he’s doing it in a way that’s good for everyone.
As the 5th wave coffee movement gains momentum, Almaw’s dream of an African unicorn with planetary impact edges closer. In his hands, coffee’s dregs aren’t an endpoint, but a beginning.
COFFEE RESURRECT’s 5th Wave Coffee Movement: What to Expect Next
Determined to unveil the health benefits of coffee while ensuring minimal harmful emissions and maximizing the usability of coffee by-products. By enhancing the economic lifespan of coffee, they aim to reciprocate the coffee farmers to whom we owe its existence in Africa and beyond. Along this journey, resolute to shift mindsets radically and demonstrate that materials can retain significant value, even after serving their initial purpose. That’s why COFFEE RESURRECT measure its progress by the quantity of coffee grounds and other coffee by-products they upcycle.