36氪精选：「碰杯站」完成5000万融资，想让更多人喝上「平价星巴克」

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the emergence of "碰杯站," a smart beverage retail brand that aims to capitalize on the rapid growth of the coffee market in China by offering high-quality coffee at a lower price point, utilizing advanced technology and innovative solutions to address common issues in traditional coffee vending machines [5][6]. Company Overview - "碰杯站" is operated by Hangzhou Huading Acoustic Technology Co., Ltd., which focuses on AIOT solutions for unmanned retail and aims to become the leading brand in the smart beverage machine sector [5][6]. - The company recently completed a financing round of 50 million yuan, primarily to accelerate market deployment, channel expansion, and operational optimization [5]. Market Context - The Chinese coffee market has been experiencing rapid growth, with an average annual compound growth rate exceeding 25% in recent years, driven by brands like Luckin Coffee [5]. - In 2024, the per capita annual coffee consumption in China is projected to reach 22.24 cups, significantly lower than Japan and South Korea, which have per capita consumption rates of 281 cups and 353 cups, respectively [5]. Product Innovation - "碰杯站" offers coffee at a price of 9.9 yuan per cup, utilizing a patented nitrogen-deoxygenation technology to preserve the flavor of high-quality Arabica coffee beans for up to 18 months [7][8]. - The machines are designed to address common issues such as moisture and contamination, ensuring food safety and consistent taste [8]. - Each machine can accommodate up to 20 different SKUs, allowing for a diverse range of beverages beyond coffee, including milk tea and juice [8]. Operational Efficiency - The equipment occupies less than one square meter and features real-time data monitoring and remote operation capabilities, making it suitable for high-traffic locations such as airports, train stations, and office buildings [9]. - The company has invested nearly 200 million yuan in equipment development, achieving a low failure rate of 0.1% after extensive market testing and product iterations [9]. Expansion Plans - "碰杯站" is actively pursuing a "thousand cities, ten thousand stores" plan, aiming to deploy over 20,000 machines across approximately 1,000 districts and counties in China [10]. - The partnership with Nantian Information, which has connections to Yunnan Green Food Co., Ltd., a key player in the coffee supply chain, enhances the potential for efficient sourcing of high-quality coffee beans [9][10].