From Barista to Founder: Krishana Agarwal’s Journey to Building Kasa Connect

Some journeys begin behind a counter, with a steaming cup of coffee and a dream.

For Krishana Agarwal, founder of Kasa Connect and one of our standout Ideas to Impact Challenge alumni, success didn’t follow the traditional path. While pursuing her Master’s, Krishana juggled long shifts as a barista and took catering gigs - jobs some might label as “entry-level,” but for her, they were strategic stepping stones.

“I remember classmates feeling awkward seeing me behind the counter, serving them at the café,” she recalls. “But I didn’t mind. I was on a mission.”

That mission? To build something of her own. To learn the ins and outs of hospitality, leadership, and community, from the ground up.

Today, that mission has materialised into Kasa Café, a welcoming haven nestled in the heart of Fitzrovia (150 New Cavendish St, London W1W 6YJ). But this isn’t just another coffee shop. Kasa is where coffee meets community - a vibrant, creative space where founders, freelancers, and dreamers gather over perfectly poured lattes and flaky pastries to exchange ideas and fuel ambition.

More than a café, Kasa has evolved into a platform. Through Kasa Connect, Krishana has launched a podcast and series of live events spotlighting the stories behind rising changemakers, while also hosting networking sessions, angel investor mornings, and startup socials, all with the same warmth and intention that define the Kasa brand.

In the debut episode of Kasa Connect, Krishana sits down with fellow Ideas to Impact winner Aalok Rai, the founder of health-tech startup upLYFT, for a raw and insightful conversation on resilience, rejection, and the unglamorous reality of building something from scratch. From co-founder fallouts to finally landing investors, Aalok shares invaluable lessons every entrepreneur needs to hear. Listen here.

Krishana’s journey from Ideas to Impact finalist to founder is a masterclass in purpose-driven entrepreneurship. Her ability to blend craft, community, and courage is exactly why we were thrilled to welcome her back this year, not as a contestant, but as a 2025 Ideas to Impact Challenge judge.

As she returns to support the next wave of aspiring innovators, Krishana’s story serves as a powerful reminder: the road to impact might not always be linear, but with heart, hustle, and a good cup of coffee, anything is possible.

Follow Kasa Connect here, and stay tuned for more updates as we gear up for this year’s Challenge. The future is brewing - and we can't wait to see what’s next.