Reinventing Coffee: Innoroma’s Vision for a Smarter, Connected Future - Franzen Leung
- Apr 9
- 3 min read
Franzen Leung is the Chief Innovation Officer at Innoroma, whose vision is “making fresh, ethically sourced quality coffee more accessible to the public by building an intelligent and synchronised ecosystem for the market and industry.”
"This is not just a platform; it is the new operational standard for the future of coffee."
1) You have a dream to develop the first ecosystem IoT sharing platform for the coffee industry. Can you share your vision and inspiration?
Our vision is rooted in nearly 30 years of industry experience, during which we identified a critical gap: the lack of a unified language across the coffee supply chain, leading to miscommunication and inconsistent quality. We are solving this by building the industry’s first integrated ecosystem based on three foundational pillars: Automation, Data, and Synchronisation. This is not just a platform; it is the new operational standard for the future of coffee.
2) In 2018, you incorporated Innoroma. Can you share about the birth of IR Smart Coffee Roasters, the first of its kind in Asia?
Eight years ago, we took on the industry’s most complex technical challenge: developing a smart coffee roaster when the market was largely ignoring the nano-roasting segment. Our mission from day one has been to deliver a true “Roast2Brew-on-Demand” experience. We are elevating the standard for coffee lovers who demand uncompromising quality, absolute freshness, and full traceability in every cup.
3) You have travelled globally to participate in coffee shows and exhibitions. Can you share which cities have left a lasting impression on you?
Shanghai and Taipei stand out distinctly. These cities boast one of the highest densities of cafés in the world, supported by a remarkably sophisticated coffee culture. Consumers in these markets know exactly what they want, making them the definitive benchmark for quality and innovation in our industry.
4) The coffee roaster has gone through many rounds of development. When can we expect to see its launch in the marketplace?
After navigating technical hurdles and rigorous development cycles, we are proud to confirm that the product will launch in Q3 2026. We are now in the final phase of bringing this milestone to market.
5) How do you see the development of coffee roasters changing consumer behaviour in the specialty coffee market?
This technology fundamentally upgrades the consumer experience. By guaranteeing freshness, consistency, and fully personalised IoT profiles, we are empowering consumers to move beyond generic preferences. They will no longer just drink coffee; they will know exactly what they like and be able to replicate it with precision—raising the palate of the entire specialty market.
6) How do you see the acceptance of the coffee roaster in the marketplace, and who would be the early adopters?
We are introducing a game-changer for the premium market segment. Our early adopters are those with the highest demand for quality and appreciation for precision—namely high-end cafés, specialty roasters, and discerning individuals who value their time and refuse to compromise on freshness.
7) What is the potential market size of coffee roasters, and how much market share does Innoroma aim to capture?
The premium coffee market in Asia is expanding at a double-digit rate, with China growing over 20% annually. Given this rapid trajectory, our primary objective is not merely to capture a percentage of the market, but to establish our equipment as the standard—the indispensable benchmark—for the high-end segment.
8) Innoroma is creating a complete coffee ecosystem—from beans to roasting, IoT platform, merchandising, and cafés. How has this evolved so far?
We have completed the full ecosystem strategy. With the fundamental hardware now entering mass production, we are ready to deploy the remaining components—from beans to café—in a sequenced, strategic rollout. The foundation is set, and execution is imminent.
