Here is an interview with Faris Sheibani, Founder of Qima.
Can you tell us more about your background?
I was raised in the UK but with deep Yemeni roots. My grandfather began with a small tea and coffee shack in Aden at the age of 17, which grew into a manufacturing group built on social impact. His guiding ethos was that “we are the makers of lives, not trade” he built schools, roads, and clinics alongside running his business.
That legacy has always inspired me. After studying and working in energy development projects across the Middle East and East Africa, I became determined to reduce the inequality between the two worlds I grew up in. When the war in Yemen broke out in 2015, I left the energy sector and turned my focus to coffee, given Yemen’s historic role as the birthplace of coffee cultivation and trade.
Can you tell us more about Qima and what makes you different?
I founded Qima Coffee in 2016 to reimagine coffee trading as a force for equity and transformation. We began in Yemen, working with a handful of smallholder farmers, and today we partner with thousands across multiple countries, serving roasters and cafés in over 40 markets.
What sets Qima apart is our integrated, traceable “tree-to-cup” approach. We manage the supply chain end-to-end—from selecting and supplying resilient seedlings, to overseeing processing, to ensuring consistent quality in every cup.
Alongside our global sourcing and trading business, we also operate our own retail sites through Qima Café in London. These cafés are not only a showcase for the world’s most extraordinary coffees, but also spaces that connect consumers directly with the origins and communities behind each cup.
We also invest heavily in research and innovation. It’s this fusion of science, social impact, and a global trading ecosystem that makes Qima truly unique
Why did you launch Qima?
I launched Qima as a way to reconnect coffee with its historic origins in Yemen, whilst creating positive impact for farming communities. For me, coffee was a vehicle to bridge the two worlds I grew up in, one of relative privilege in the UK, and one of struggle in Yemen. Qima was born from a desire to empower farmers and return value to origin, whilst at the same time showcasing coffee’s extraordinary potential.
How is coffee culture changing in the UK?
Coffee culture in the UK is becoming more curious and adventurous. Younger consumers, particularly Millennials and Gen Z, are embracing coffee as a daily ritual and social activity. Consumers increasingly value traceability, sustainability, and unique experiences. They are moving beyond traditional espresso-based drinks towards experimental fermentations, rare varieties, and innovative signature drinks. In London especially, cafés are no longer just places to grab a coffee, they are becoming cultural and creative spaces for exploration.
And what does this mean for entrepreneurs in the sector?
It means there is room for innovation, but with responsibility. Consumers are increasingly prioritising sustainability in their daily lives, demanding more than just good coffee, they want to know its story, its impact, and its connection to global communities. For entrepreneurs, that opens space to build purpose-driven brands that innovate, whether through product development, supply chain, or customer experience. The challenge is to deliver both commercial performance and measurable positive impact.
What is your vision for Qima?
Our vision with Qima Coffee (the global sourcing and trading organisation) is to redefine coffee globally—to make it equitable, transparent, and creatively boundless. Through Qima Café, we’ve created a space to experiment with coffee’s future: inviting chefs, farmers, and consumers to co-create experiences that celebrate craftsmanship, community, and origin stories
How have you funded its journey so far?
We’ve taken a blended approach. The early years were funded through personal investment and reinvested revenues, keeping the business lean and impact-focused. Over time, we’ve partnered with like-minded investors who share our vision for equitable coffee trade. Importantly, we’ve been selective with funding — ensuring that every partner aligns with our values. That alignment has been critical to scaling without compromising our ethos.
Your advice to any aspiring entrepreneur?
Start with purpose, not just product. The entrepreneurial journey is long, painful and often difficult, so you need a mission that sustains you when things get tough. Build with integrity, surround yourself with people smarter than you, and don’t be afraid to take risks.
Stay grounded. Listen to your customers, embrace mistakes as the painful but necessary catalysts for growth, and remember that growth without pain is shallow, just as growth without impact is hollow.