Driven Coffee is a small team of artisans from across the Midwest that came together in Minneapolis, Minnesota to share a common passion for specialty coffee. We focus our efforts on responsibly sourcing, craft roasting, and meticulously brewing the best coffees possible to serve our customers across the country.

We roast our coffees on a small batch Probat Roaster that gives us the freedom to manually control all stages of the roasting process to further develop our unique blends and single origins. We maintain strict quality control and cup our coffees endlessly to ensure our customers receive a consistent product that highlights the delicate nuances of each and every bean. In a world that is full of massive commercial coffee companies, we stand apart as a small craft roaster focused on delivering fresh, complex coffees.

At Driven we believe that great coffee can lead to an even greater purpose. To live out this philosophy we donate 5% of profits on all web sales to organizations that advocate positive change in our communities and around the world. We also believe in supporting local business that share our same passion for quality and community. We're proud to collaborate with Minnesota home builders and other companies that uphold these values.

We are Driven. What drives you?

Meet the team behind your amazing coffee.

  • MATT VASSAU

    Founder | CEO

    Prior to founding Driven Coffee, Matt worked as the VP of Business Development for an Espresso Services Company where he cultivated relationships with some of the largest coffee companies in the country. In 2013 he decided to bring his passion for business, coffee, and helping others together for the launch of Driven Coffee. When he’s not searching for the perfect cup of coffee, you will likely find him on the links or spending time with family and friends.

    Favorite Coffee: The Awakening

  • ANDREW SCHERR

    Partner | CIO

    Andrew's knack for making systems work in perfect harmony allows our team to focus on what we do best: crafting the amazing coffee you love. By integrating technology and optimizing workflows, he frees up valuable time and energy, ensuring that every cup we brew is a testament to our passion for exceptional coffee. Outside of work Andrew enjoys traveling with his wife and kids and hacking around a golf course.

    Favorite Coffee: Guatemala Antigua

  • MERISSA MIGNANELLI

    Sales Manager

    With a passion for social entrepreneurship Merissa has always loved small businesses and helping others. After spending a majority of her career in the financial sector, she was ready to chase her passions in the coffee industry. In her free time, she loves visiting new coffee shops to collect sleeves for her coffee sleeve mural, and is always ready for an adventure. On less daring nights, Merissa loves snuggling her pups while enjoying the fruits of her husband's cooking.

    Favorite Coffee: Minneapolis Mud

  • ERIN HALLORAN

    Account Executive

    Erin works as an Account Executive handling sales, customer service and account management for our wholesale customers. Her love for small business and philanthropy has made Driven Coffee a natural fit. Erin is a devoted mom to her two young boys, who keep her busy with sports and all things Star Wars. She has a passion for capturing moments through photography, and a healthy obsession with running in various races and on trails near their home.

    Favorite Coffee: Impact Espresso

  • COURTNEY KOENECKE

    Procurement Manager

    After graduating from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, Courtney spent a year in Costa Rica. She enjoyed harvesting the coffee that grew on her campus as well as the process of getting the beans ready for roasting. She is passionate about many things, coffee being one of them. Courtney also enjoys having good conversation, hiking in the pine trees, and playing music with her friends.

    Favorite Coffee: Peru Cenfrocafe Fair Trade

  • MICHAELA SMYTH

    Fundraising Account Executive

    Meet Michaela, Driven’s Fundraising Account Executive! When not helping customers with their coffee needs, she loves exploring all things food: whether it’s making it at home, trying new restaurants, or reading about it. When it’s time to unwind, she loves to binge watch TV shows, her favorite of which being Survivor. Fun fact: she has seen all 47 (and counting) seasons! Once winter rolls around, she eagerly awaits time on the ski slopes, with her husband and family.

    Favorite Coffee: Ethiopia Kayon Guji

  • MANDY SCHAALMA

    Production Assistant

    Mandy loves coffee, whether enjoying a solo cup or sharing with friends on an energizing adventure. She enjoys studying the human psyche and different personality types and loves capturing that individuality through portrait photography. In her free time, you’ll find Mandy singing in her car on a long drive, Olympic lifting, dreaming about her next trip to Ireland, or hanging out with her husband and long-haired German Shepherd.

    Favorite Coffee: Scandinavian Blend

  • MITCH KOENECKE

    Production Assistant

    For Mitch, one simple cup of coffee a few years ago changed everything and began his love for coffee and the coffee world. Being from the area and having just recently finished college, Mitch is thrilled to be a part of a local small business that he feels matches his values and positive outlook so well. In his free time he enjoys spending time with family and friends, hunting and fishing, or taking his pup for a hike.

    Favorite Coffee: Guatemala La Dama

JOIN THE TEAM

Love the work you do.

The motivation for Driven Coffee stems from a desire to make a positive impact in the world around us.

Driven Coffee is passionate about making a difference in the world and our Partner Causes and customers are invaluable in achieving this goal. It is our belief that people are excited to donate so we created a platform in which customers can easily contribute to our Partner Causes while getting a great product in return. Coffee is an integral part in the lives of Americans and we believe it is an outstanding vehicle to impact change. We are Driven to make a difference.

Second Harvest Heartland 

Second Harvest Heartland is one of the nation’s largest, most efficient and most innovative hunger relief organizations. Second Harvest Heartland provides an average of 75 percent of all food distributed by its food shelf partners, and in 2016, provided more than 80 million meals to nearly 1,000 food shelves, pantries and other partner programs serving 59 counties in Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Second Harvest Heartland leads through innovation, finding efficient, effective solutions to connect the full resources of our community with our hungry neighbors.

> Learn More

Feed My Starving Children 

Feed My Starving Children (FMSC) is a non-profit Christian organization committed to feeding God’s children hungry in body and spirit. The approach is simple: children and adults hand-pack meals specifically formulated for malnourished children, and FMSC ships the meals to nearly 70 countries around the world. Every day, FMSC produces enough food for 420,000 children. Each of these meals costs less than a quarter to make and 92% of total donations support the food program.

> Learn More

Driven Coffee Fundraising Program 

Are you looking for new Fundraiser Ideas for your organization? At Driven Coffee we have a deep-rooted desire to help others, and our Fundraising Programs have proven to be a great vehicle to accomplish just that. With our exceptional fresh roasted specialty coffees and gourmet chocolates your group will have a product offering that is sure to please everyone. We have developed a program that is user friendly, making it easy for organizations of all sizes to reach and exceed fundraising goals.

> Learn More

  • Second Harvest Heartland 

    Second Harvest Heartland is one of the nation’s largest, most efficient and most innovative hunger relief organizations. Second Harvest Heartland provides an average of 75 percent of all food distributed by its food shelf partners, and in 2016, provided more than 80 million meals to nearly 1,000 food shelves, pantries and other partner programs serving 59 counties in Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Second Harvest Heartland leads through innovation, finding efficient, effective solutions to connect the full resources of our community with our hungry neighbors.

    > Learn More

  • Feed My Starving Children 

    Feed My Starving Children (FMSC) is a non-profit Christian organization committed to feeding God’s children hungry in body and spirit. The approach is simple: children and adults hand-pack meals specifically formulated for malnourished children, and FMSC ships the meals to nearly 70 countries around the world. Every day, FMSC produces enough food for 420,000 children. Each of these meals costs less than a quarter to make and 92% of total donations support the food program.

    > Learn More

  • Driven Coffee Fundraising Program 

    Are you looking for new Fundraiser Ideas for your organization? At Driven Coffee we have a deep-rooted desire to help others, and our Fundraising Programs have proven to be a great vehicle to accomplish just that. With our exceptional fresh roasted specialty coffees and gourmet chocolates your group will have a product offering that is sure to please everyone. We have developed a program that is user friendly, making it easy for organizations of all sizes to reach and exceed fundraising goals.

    > Learn More