In this instalment of Start-up spotlight, we speak to Early Bees Coffee – a nature-inspired, bee-themed speciality coffee brand based in London. The company's co-founder, Tarik Gunturk, tell us more.

Can you introduce Early Bees and explain the inspiration behind the business?

Early Bees is a London-based speciality coffee company built around a simple idea: great coffee starts with nature. The business was inspired by our passion for high-quality coffee and our belief that bees play a far bigger role in our food system than most people realise. We wanted to create a brand that combines exceptional coffee with a meaningful environmental message.

The relationship between bees and coffee is central to your brand. What first sparked your interest in this connection?

One of our founders grew up in a family with over 300 years of beekeeping history, so bees were always part of the conversation. As we learned more about coffee production, we discovered that pollinators can significantly improve coffee yields and quality. That connection felt both fascinating and largely overlooked.

Many coffee drinkers may not realise how important pollination is to coffee production. Can you explain the role bees play in the coffee supply chain?

Coffee plants can self-pollinate, but studies have shown that bee pollination can increase yields, improve bean quality and support healthier farms. Bees help maintain biodiversity around coffee-growing regions, which ultimately strengthens the resilience of the entire supply chain.

What made you feel this story was largely absent from modern coffee culture?

Most coffee conversations focus on roasting, brewing methods and origin. These are important topics, but very few brands talk about the ecosystems that make coffee possible in the first place. We felt there was an opportunity to bring that story to the forefront.

Sustainability is an increasingly important topic across the coffee industry. How does Early Bees approach environmental responsibility?

For us, sustainability starts with awareness. We actively educate customers about the connection between biodiversity and coffee production while supporting responsible sourcing practices. Our goal is to encourage consumers to think beyond the cup and understand the wider environmental impact of what they drink.

What challenges have you faced in communicating the link between coffee, bees and biodiversity to consumers?

The biggest challenge is that most people simply haven’t heard the story before. Many customers are surprised to learn that pollinators influence coffee production. Our role is to make that connection simple, engaging and relevant to everyday coffee drinkers.

The coffee sector is highly competitive. What differentiates Early Bees from other speciality coffee brands?

We combine speciality coffee with a unique purpose-led message. While quality remains at the centre of everything we do, we also aim to educate consumers about pollination, biodiversity and the importance of protecting ecosystems. That combination gives the brand a distinctive identity.

Do you see growing consumer interest in provenance, agriculture and ingredient origins influencing the future of coffee culture?

Absolutely. Consumers increasingly want to know where products come from and how they are produced. We believe transparency, sustainability and storytelling will become even more important as coffee culture continues to evolve.

Are there any misconceptions consumers commonly have about honey, pollination or coffee production?

A common misconception is that bees only matter for honey production. In reality, their contribution to global agriculture is far greater. Another misconception is that coffee production exists independently of biodiversity, when healthy ecosystems are actually essential to long-term coffee farming.

How vulnerable is coffee production to declining bee populations and wider biodiversity challenges?

Coffee production faces growing pressure from climate change, habitat loss and biodiversity decline. Pollinators are a key part of healthy agricultural ecosystems, so protecting them is important not only for coffee but for global food security more broadly.

Looking beyond coffee, what lessons do you think the wider food and beverage industry could learn from pollination and ecosystem health?

The biggest lesson is that food production depends on healthy ecosystems. Businesses often focus on the final product, but long-term success requires protecting the natural systems that support agriculture. Sustainability should be viewed as an investment rather than an obligation.

What are the next steps for Early Bees, and where would you like to see the business in the next three to five years?

Our immediate focus is to continue expanding across London and establish Early Bees as one of the leading speciality coffee brands in the UK. Beyond growth, we want to use our platform to educate more people about the connection between bees, biodiversity and coffee production.

Over the next three to five years, we would like to expand internationally and bring the Early Bees concept to new markets around the world. Our ambition is not only to serve great coffee, but also to spread the message that protecting pollinators and ecosystems is essential for the future of coffee and food production globally.