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Higher Grounds Vending

Serving fresh coffee & tea conveniently brewed via vending machines on the college campus.
@highergroundsvending

Our Qualities

Just order and enjoy a fresh matcha latte!

You can't find high-quality beverages for cheaper!

  • Average 16oz price: $3.99
  • Drinks brewed in < 1 min
  • Using fresh coffee beans and ingredients, replenished daily
  • Managed by highly-motivated student entrepreneurs
  • Customizable and unique drink menu, from milk teas to lattes
  • Multiple accessible locations at Johns Hopkins University

Our Locations

The 2 locations so far on the Johns Hopkins Homewood campus:

  • Scott-Bates Commons
    (2nd floor by the laundry room)

  • MSE Library Annex
    (2nd floor in the vending machines room)

    See map on right →

    • Two and counting!

    We are currently working to place machines in more buildings at JHU and even other colleges and apartment complexes nearby.

    Recent Activities

    October 2024 - A successful tabling event sponsored by Mutombo Coffee to promote the grand opening of the second machine!

    May 2024 - Winning Audience's Choice at the Fuel Demo Day secured an additional $5,000 of generous non-dilutive funding from the Pava Center for Entrepreneurship!

    Follow our Instagram to stay updated!

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    About Us

    Co-Founders

    STONE MENG
    Team Leader

    TALIYAH HUANG
    Design & Development

    MARCO AZAR
    Legal & Finance

    ALISA FEDOTOVA
    Legal & Finance

    " College students need affordable and convenient caffeine options. "

    That was the conclusion we came to after surveying over 500 students at Johns Hopkins. As busy full-time students ourselves, we can empathize with the constant need for caffeine and other energizing drinks without having a stable income to support it.


    From tabling and interviews, we learned that on-campus cafés:

  • Often have long waits during peak times
  • Are considered overpriced by many
  • Have limited customization
  • Few locations across large campus
  • Not open for late night studying

    So we pitched our idea to the Pava Center for Entrepreneurship at Hopkins in May 2023, and worked hard at the FFU Summer Startup, JHU I-CORPS, and Fuel Accelerators over the course of a year before finally securing the funds and contract with Hopkins Dining to install our first machine in March 2024.

    • Get in touch

    Request a Machine Here!
    Whether you're interested in a business partnership or just a curious customer,
    please use the form below:

    © All rights reserved. 2024 Higher Grounds Vending L.L.C.