As CEO of Hatti Kaapi, U.S. Mahendar leads India’s most loved homegrown filter coffee brand, driven by a mission to spread the warmth and richness of Indian coffee culture. Mahendar is a first-generation entrepreneur whose journey is deeply rooted in the soils of Karnataka’s coffee heartland. Born into a coffee-growing family in Hassan, he often says that the idea behind Hatti Kaapi has always been simple yet purposeful: to promote Indian coffees from Karnataka. Today, the brand continues to source from growers including small-land holding cultivators across Sakleshpur, Chikkamagalur and Coorg, staying true to this founding intent.

Mahendar’s tryst with coffee began early. He left college during his second year of science to pursue coffee trading and brokering full-time. A pivotal moment in his early career came when an industry mentor entrusted him with a loss-making roasting unit that supplied to Tata Coffee. Mahendar took over the challenge, reviving the operation and supplying coffee, tea, badam and malt premixes used in Tata Coffee’s vending machines across India.

Setbacks in business shaped his resilience. After facing many hurdles in his initial venture, Mahendar chose to start again, this time from the ground up. In 2009, with just over ₹1 lakh, he and co-founder Mahalinge Gowda opened the first Hatti Kaapi outlet, a modest 30 sq. ft. space under a staircase in Basavangudi. The store sold 300 cups on day one, soaring to 2,800 cups a day by the 27th day, amplified by media stories on the long queues outside. Today, Hatti Kaapi sells over 10,000 cups of coffee each day in select outlets, with its presence now in over 100+ stores in India and also its recent international debut in the UK, along with 250+ touchpoints. Hatti Kaapi has expanded its footprint across airports, neighbourhood stores, hospitals, business districts and HoReCa segment to high-street cafés and malls.

Mahendar believes in scaling cautiously yet confidently, balancing measured expansion with strong revenues and strategic, future-focused investments. Under his leadership, Hatti Kaapi is committed to taking the coffees of Karnataka across India and into international markets. The brand is backed by investors including Claypond Capital Partners Private Limited (Manipal Group) and Crest Opportunities Private Limited., to fund its expansion in outlets, products and presence across key markets.

At the heart of his leadership is a deep commitment to people. He personally champions inclusive hiring, creating meaningful roles for senior citizens, the differently abled and aspiring students. “It is not money they seek, but respect and appreciation,” he says – a philosophy that continues to anchor Hatti Kaapi’s culture and purpose.