From Nairobi to London: how Imperial Weekend MBA students helped Spring Valley Coffee go global

I deliberately chose electives on the Weekend MBA that focused on building an inclusive and regenerative economy to drive meaningful change. Guest lecturers from organisations like Bloomberg and The New York Times also highlighted the importance of community-driven impact.

So, when we travelled to Nairobi, Kenya, I saw it as an opportunity to build on these interests. A group of 70 MBA students and I from Imperial had a chance to explore the innovative ways that local organisations are transforming Africa’s business landscape and gaining global recognition.

Innovation, insights and inspiration

Through company visits, panel discussions and interactive sessions, we explored the theme ‘How can business address inequality?’ and considered how innovation and entrepreneurship can tackle the challenges facing businesses today.

From tech-enabled Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) market innovation to clean technology and transport solutions, the week in Kenya reinforced the importance of sustainable business growth and its positive impact on the local community.

It was a truly eye-opening experience that offered real-world exposure and revealed Africa’s dynamic entrepreneurial landscape. It was an incredible way to broaden perspectives and collaborate through on-ground experience. Not only does it enhance problem-solving skills but also creates meaningful partnerships between academia and industry.

Introducing Spring Valley Coffee

During the trip, we stayed in accommodation above Spring Valley Coffee. Every morning, we would be greeted by the smiling staff and the smells of freshly brewed coffee. Established in 2009 and bought in 2018 by Ritesh Doshi, the company is dedicated to sourcing, roasting and grinding coffee entirely in Kenya, ensuring that the supply chain value remains at its origin to enhance the livelihoods of coffee plantation farmers and communities.

Setting the stage for collaboration

Although we were introduced to Spring Valley Coffee in Nairobi, my collaboration with them started earlier.

Ritesh’s mission aligned with my values, and it was clear how I could use the skills from my studies to support their growth.

A key conversation with Professor Tim Weiss led to a potential Capstone Consulting Experience collaboration, allowing us to contribute to Spring Valley Coffee’s global expansion.

That’s how our partnership with them began – a natural and exciting decision.

What is the Capstone Consulting Experience?

The Capstone Consulting Experience offers an unparalleled opportunity to collaborate with companies like Spring Valley Coffee.

Bringing together over 100 bright minds from Imperial’s MBA programmes, the project challenges students to develop innovative solutions that contribute to a company’s future business strategy.

Taking Spring Valley Coffee global

The challenge: to offer recommendations on how Spring Valley Coffee could expand on a global scale, including planning a successful UK launch.

The solution: in the first instance, we recognised a gap in the UK market. Whilst London, the food and beverage capital of the world, hosts a diverse range of brands, it currently lacks a Kenyan coffee brand.

From there, we mapped out a competitive landscape, conducted field research through consumer surveys and evaluated the economic viability of potential café locations – ranging from pop-up stores to permanent establishments. This data-driven approach allowed us to develop strategic recommendations focused on brand positioning, marketing and operational efficiencies.

Each of my team members – Grant Ashby, Zena Dhanak, Dina Antonios, Deniz Kayabas, Hamza Abbasi – brought diverse perspectives from across the globe, allowing us to create an in-depth and considered study on Spring Valley Coffee’s market entry into the UK.

We emphasised the importance of digital storytelling, innovative brand awareness campaigns and scalable expansion strategies aligned with emerging industry trends.

Our insights provided a roadmap for Spring Valley Coffee to establish a strong foothold in the UK market, driven by purpose and a commitment to excellence.

Beyond the Capstone Consulting Experience

My collaboration with Ritesh has also stretched far beyond the Capstone Consulting Experience.

I continue to speak and work with him on the expansion of his business in London. Engaging with a founder who embodies such passion and dedication to his vision for society is deeply inspiring.

My meetings with him have felt like an extension of my MBA experience and I thoroughly enjoy our idea storming sessions – whether discussing his insights from his earlier venture of running a successful pizza business in Kenya, selecting the perfect location for the London Spring Valley Coffee café, or preparing for the upcoming marathon, which we are both training for to run this October 2025.