Workshop Description: In a rapidly consolidating global coffee market, small and medium-sized businesses face unique challenges—but also opportunities to scale. This 3 hour hands-on workshop is designed to help participants develop tailored strategies to grow and thrive amidst consolidation pressures. Led by seasoned entrepreneur Lukasz Mrowinski, former CEO of Etno Cafe—the largest Polish-originated coffee shop chain—this session will guide participants through real-world exercises and frameworks based on mergers and acquisitions (M&A), venture capital (VC), private equity (PE), and technology integration.
Using Kolb’s Experiential Learning Cycle (experience, reflection, conceptualization, and experimentation), attendees will engage in practical exercises, peer collaboration, and case studies to understand key growth opportunities, evaluate investment or partnership options, and design actionable growth plans. Participants will explore market positioning, funding strategies, and how to adopt technological innovations like supply chain optimization and smart brewing to increase profitability and competitiveness.
By the end of the workshop, attendees will leave with an initial actionable roadmap tailored to their business needs, including short-term and long-term strategies for scaling while maintaining brand identity. This workshop is ideal for coffee entrepreneurs, small business owners, and industry stakeholders seeking hands-on, practical guidance for scaling their businesses in a dynamic, consolidating market.
Learning Objectives:
1. Identify Key Growth Opportunities:
Attendees will learn how to assess opportunities for growth and scalability within the context of market consolidation, including partnerships, acquisitions, and investments.
2. Develop a Customized Scaling Strategy:
Participants will create a personalized growth roadmap by evaluating different scaling methods—organic growth, strategic M&A, and funding through VC or PE—tailored to their business needs.
3. Leverage Technology for Competitive Advantage:
Learn how to adopt and implement innovative technologies, such as supply chain optimization and data-driven decision-making, to enhance operational efficiency and market positioning.
4. Preserve Brand Identity While Scaling:
Gain insights into maintaining a company’s unique identity and customer loyalty while navigating expansion through M&A or investment-driven growth.
Date: Friday, April 10, 2026
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Room Number: 30 B
Category: Business
REGISTRATION FEES:
EARLY BIRD Regular* - $250
EARLY BIRD Paid Member* - $210
Regular - $275
Paid Member - $230
*Early Bird pricing ends March 1, 2026
Booking: To book your place in this Workshop, head to the World of Coffee San Diego Registration & Booking Portal and add a session to your order. Already registered? Simply login using the credentials created at purchase to access your booking and add other paid events to your badge.
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Instructor
Lukasz Mrowinski