Profile Overview
Soomanna Mandepanda and Puja Soomanna, co-founders of HumbleBean Coffee & Patisserie in Bengaluru, traded their corporate careers to address the gaps in quality-focused practices among small and medium coffee farmers. After the success of their coffee academy and flagship café, HumbleBean, Soomanna is now focusing on redefining coffee culture with FAST Coffee - a vibrant space that blends speed, sustainability, community and coffee.
In the streets of Bengaluru, where the scent of freshly brewed coffee blends with the energy of startup culture, the city moves at a relentless pace.
One of its most dynamic neighbourhoods is Koramangala. A whirlwind of street shopping, rustic bookstalls, vibrant cafés, lush jogger's parks, and buzzing colleges, this part of town has something to offer to everyone.
Opening a coffee shop in this fast-paced hub isn't just about serving great coffee; it's about keeping up with the ever-evolving energy of the crowd.
Enter Soomanna Mandepanda. After the success of his first coffee shop, HumbleBean Coffee & Pattisserie in Bengaluru's bustling corporate hub of Indiranagar, he is now stepping up the game with FAST Coffee in Jayanagar-brewing a fresh experience that keeps pace with Gen Z, Gen Alpha, and the city's unstoppable rhythm.
Coffee takes nine months to grow, like a child in an embryo. How can you not be humble when you’re part of something so profound?
- Soomanna Mandepanda
The Need for FAST
Stepping into the FAST Coffee store in Jayanagar, one will quickly realise there is more brewing than just coffee. A sleek wall lined with t-shirts, tote bags, and other minimalist merchandise catches the eye. Set against a cool grey and blue theme, it highlights the brand’s no-nonsense, fast-paced vibe. Behind the counter, a streamlined menu awaits those who prefer to grab their coffee and go. The entire space exudes an energy that feels like a glimpse into the future of coffee.
The idea of FAST came to Soomanna when he recognised the need for a more scalable model to reach a wider audience, especially the upcoming generations. For him, this was an opportunity to segue into out-of-home consumption, ushering in the culture of ready-to-drink beverages and kiosk models.
“If you want the next generations to be conscious about their coffee, its future, you have to present it in a beautiful context,” he shared.
Today, FAST outlets in Jayanagar and Koramangala are creating a community that shares the causes for tomorrow while building a coffee culture. While Koramangala caters to the vibrant young crowd of techies and students, Jayanagar is bridging the gap between old and new Bengaluru.
From weekly F1 screenings to hosting meaningful conversations, these spaces are where coffee opulence meets the community.
“It’s an acronym,” Soomanna explains. “FAST stands for ‘Fair And Sustainable Trade,’ reflecting our commitment to ethical sourcing. But it also embodies the energy we want to match—the fast-paced world of Gen Z and Gen Alpha.”
FAST Coffee offers a clutter-free, on-the-go coffee experience without compromising on quality or ethics.
“Every cup of coffee at FAST Coffee is fueled by our farm programs that we have been working for years now,” Soomanna adds. “We wanted to create a brand that was not only fast but also fair and sustainable, with every cup having the transparency and traceability back to the farming community or the region.”
FAST Coffee is redefining how India consumes coffee with multiple formats—from high-street cafés to sports centre pods.
At the core of everything is giving back to the farm
FAST is propelled by the farm programmes of the academy
Where did it All Begin?
After nearly 13 years of climbing the corporate ladder across banking, sales, marketing, and organisational development, Soomanna took a leap into the unpredictable world of startups. In 2013, he launched an entrepreneurial networking community, an experience that taught him the intricacies of building a business from the ground up.
Yet, something still felt missing. As he pondered his next move, an opportunity in the coffee industry came his way. Born and raised in Coorg’s coffee-rich Virajpet, Soomanna had spent his childhood surrounded by sprawling plantations. But to him, coffee had always been just a commercial crop—not a craft, not a culture.
“We grew coffee commercially, but it was never celebrated,” he reflects. “I always wondered—why aren’t we taking pride in something so beautiful? Why can’t we enjoy a truly great cup of coffee in our own hometowns?”
That curiosity led him deep into the world of coffee, from bean to brew. But the deeper he delved, the more he saw a glaring gap: small and medium coffee farmers lacked access to quality-driven processes. This realisation became his mission—to bridge the gap, uplift farmers, and bring the true artistry of coffee to the forefront.
We wanted to change consumer behaviour. We wanted people to see coffee as more than just a caffeine fix.
- Puja Soomanna
A Magnum Opus Called HumbleBean
In 2017, HumbleBean was born, with a mission to revolutionise the coffee industry. The name itself reflects the humility Soomanna learned from the coffee-growing process.
“Coffee takes nine months to grow, like a child in an embryo,” he explains. “How can you not be humble when you’re part of something so profound?”
At its core, HumbleBean is about education and empowerment. The company started with an academy, offering free coffee assessments to farmers and providing them with actionable insights to improve quality.
“We never charged the farmers,” Soomanna says. “Our goal was to create a transparent, altruistic system where farmers could thrive.”
The academy also trained baristas and coffee enthusiasts, creating a community of coffee lovers who understood the nuances of the beverage. This educational approach laid the foundation for HumbleBean’s unique positioning—a coffee brand that celebrates the diversity of Indian coffee regions and brewing methods.
Puja Soomanna, the creative force and co-founder of HumbleBean
The Coffee Academy is where it all begins
A Partnership Brewed to Perfection
Alongside Soomanna is his wife and co-founder of HumbleBean, Puja Soomanna, whose creativity, vision, and dedication have been instrumental in shaping their coffee empire.
“She was my first investor,” Soomanna says with a smile. “She believed in the vision even when the odds were stacked against us.”
Puja, who had no prior connection to coffee, dove headfirst into the business, mastering the art of flavour science and curating HumbleBean’s exquisite coffee menu.
Together, they built a brand that was not just about coffee but about an experience. From the design of the cafes to the pairing of coffee with artisanal food, every detail was meticulously crafted to elevate the coffee-drinking experience.
“We wanted to change consumer behaviour,” Puja explains. “We wanted people to see coffee as more than just a caffeine fix.”
Puja’s role extended beyond the kitchen. She became the creative force behind HumbleBean’s immersive coffee experiences, ensuring that every cup told a story.
“I wanted to bring the romance of coffee to life,” she says. “From the music to the table settings, everything had to resonate with the essence of coffee.”
HumbleBean Coffee will always remain the Magnum Opus of Soomanna and Puja's mission
The academy will always be at the heart of what we do. It’s not just about building a business; it’s about creating something that outlives us.
- Soomanna Mandepanda
So, what’s next?
Today, Soomanna and Puja’s journey is a blend of passion and purpose. From empowering small farmers to creating immersive coffee experiences, their mission is to put Indian coffee on the global map.
“We are underdogs in the global coffee scene,” Soomanna says. “But Indian coffee has the potential to be among the best.”
As HumbleBean and Fast Coffee continue to grow, the couple remains committed to their core values—humility, sustainability, and a deep love for coffee.
“The academy will always be at the heart of what we do,” Soomanna says. “It’s not just about building a business; it’s about creating something that outlives us.”
Puja adds, “For us, it’s about more than just coffee. It’s about creating a legacy that inspires future generations to appreciate the beauty of this humble bean.”
