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A Hong Kong-based equipment startup called Meraki has raised more than $1.2 million in the early days of a Kickstarter campaign for a high-tech home espresso machine and grinder combo.
After launching August 6, the campaign surpassed its modest goal of HK$70,000 (US$8,983) in mere seconds, then sailed across the million dollar mark by its third day. As of this writing, the campaign had raised more than $1.25 million with 31 days remaining.
The semi-automated Meraki Espresso Machine is designed in collaboration with Singapore-based equipment-maker Timemore, another startup that found immense success on Kickstarter. Timemore raised nearly $5 million through the platform last year for the production of two high-end flat burr grinders.
With Meraki, Timemore has contributed the espresso machine’s built-in stepless conical grinder, with an outer ring burr that measures 49.5 millimeters at its widest. The grinder includes an ionizing static mitigation system for smooth flow into a magnetically centered receptacle. Beneath that receptacle is a dedicated digital scale for grind-by-weight capabilities.
Meraki designed the custom compact rotary pump that drives water from an onboard 2-liter reservoir to the machine’s dual stainless-steel boilers. A second digital scale beneath the stainless steel, 58-millimeter heated group communicates with the machine to automatically cut off shots based on weight.
Sensors in the milk wand measure temperature and froth levels, and a separate spout beneath the group provides PID-temperature-controlled hot water.
An espresso basket preparation station, including a distribution tool and a tamper, will ship with the machine. Users adjust many of the machine’s settings, including on/off times and temperature, through a circular digital touchscreen interface.
An RFID tag scanner at the top of the machine identifies bags of coffee sold by Meraki and downloads grinding, brewing and steaming parameters. The web-connected software receives wireless updates automatically.
A Meraki representative told DCN via email that the company was founded by an engineer and professional barista named Dennis Chen. The company originated in Shenzen, China, before establishing a main office in Hong Kong.
The Meraki system adds to a growing global field of high-tech, semi-automated home espresso machinery.
While international home equipment brand Breville has a long-established reputation for quality and versatility in grinding/brewing combos, newcomers such as Meraki and the recently revealed Nunc espresso machine/grinder combo from Germany reflect a growing emphasis on internet-reliant automation, much like the xBloom brewing system does within the single-cup drip/pourover field.
Meraki Espresso Machines are expected to begin shipping to crowdfunding backers this November, after which time they will be sold for $1,799.
Comments? Questions? News to share? Contact DCN’s editors here.
Howard Bryman Howard Bryman is the associate editor of Daily Coffee News by Roast Magazine. He is based in Portland, Oregon.
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