Chai, a traditional spiced tea deeply rooted in Indian culture, is celebrated for its distinctive blend of spices, rich aroma and comforting qualities. London-based start-up Chai GPTea seeks to deliver this authentic experience through innovative self-serve machines that prepare freshly brewed chai in under a minute. Founder Sandeep Heda discusses the cultural importance of chai, the technology powering the machines and the company’s plans for growth.

What sparked the idea for Chai GPTea?

Honestly, it started with a craving for proper chai – the kind brewed with real spices, the way it's made at home or on the streets of India. I realised how hard it is to find that outside a home kitchen or a specialist café. That’s when the idea came: why not make authentic chai more accessible, through a smart, modern format?

Why did you focus specifically on chai, rather than tea more broadly?

Chai is in a league of its own. It’s not just 'tea', it’s a full-on experience. The spices, the aroma, the comfort it brings – there’s something really grounding about it. Regular tea is great, but chai has personality. We wanted to celebrate that and give it the spotlight it rarely gets in the vending or hot drinks space.

What gap in the market were you trying to address?

Most vending machines or office kitchens cater heavily to coffee drinkers, and even the tea options tend to be basic or uninspiring. We saw a real gap when it came to chai, a drink so many people love, but rarely find done right, especially on the go. We’re offering something warm, wellness-focused and rooted in culture – without needing a barista or café.

Can you walk us through how the machine works – from selecting a flavour to the final cup?

It’s super simple. You just walk up, pick your chai flavour on the touchscreen, tap to pay, and in under a minute you’ve got a hot, aromatic cup ready to go. The machine handles everything – from measuring to mixing – so every cup comes out just right, every time.

How do you maintain quality control across different locations?

Everything’s designed to be consistent and low-maintenance. The machines use pre-mixed blends that are calibrated to deliver the same taste every time, no fresh milk involved, so there’s less room for error.

Plus, each unit has smart features like pest repellent systems, auto self-cleaning and remote monitoring, so we can keep things running smoothly without needing to be on-site all the time.

What can you tell us about the sourcing of your ingredients?

We keep it clean and simple. No added sugar, no artificial flavours. Just real spices and quality ingredients. Our blends are made to bring out authentic flavour while being naturally delicious. It’s all about giving people the real chai experience without the unnecessary extras.

Are there any sustainability efforts built into your supply chain or packaging?

Yes, we’ve kept sustainability in mind from the start. Our cups are recyclable, and the machines are energy-efficient with minimal waste. Since our drinks are unsweetened and portion-controlled, there’s also a health-conscious angle that naturally ties into reducing excess.

What kinds of locations are you targeting for your roll-out?

We’re focusing on places where people need a moment of calm or comfort, such as workplaces, hospitals, wellness centres and residential developments. These environments really benefit from a quality hot drink option, especially one that’s caffeine-balanced, sugar-free and rooted in wellbeing.

The hot drinks space is heavily dominated by coffee. What has the response been like from tea drinkers?

What’s been amazing is how people light up when they hear the idea. It’s like: “Wait, there’s going to be a proper chai vending machine?”. There's this sense of relief and excitement, especially from tea lovers who feel completely overlooked in a coffee-heavy world.

Even though we haven’t gone live yet, the concept itself really seems to strike a chord. It tells us we’re tapping into something that’s been missing.

Are there plans to expand beyond London?

Yes! London is just our starting point. Once we establish our first 10-15 machines and refine operations, we plan to expand into other UK cities. We want to scale steadily while keeping the experience consistent everywhere we go.

How do you see Chai GPTea evolving in the next 12 months?

In the next year, we aim to roll out across at least 20 strategic locations, continue refining our product offerings and build visibility through select partnerships and curated events. We’re not just launching a drink, we are building a movement around convenient wellness through chai.

Long-term, we see Chai GPTea as a premium brand that redefines how tea is experienced in the UK.