Skip to main content

LAU LAU Startup Fund: Help us open our coffee shop!

A new specialty coffee shop in Austin TX, rooted in Asian American culture and flavor.
Community | Culture | Intention | Care

$9,306
pledged of$20,000 goal
81
80Days Left
Fund it
Campaign Ends on April 30, 2025

Project Description

Hi! I'm Hannah & I'm opening a coffee shop ❤️

 
The service industry has been such a constant in my life, allowing me to learn and grow, fail and succeed, and connect with my community – all while leading me to meet some of the best people I've ever known. It has always been waiting for me between dreams and travels, new cities, and new career paths. It was always forgiving and flexible. Yet, for as much as I have loved this industry, it has not always loved me back – and I've always wanted better for it.
 
My dream of opening up my own coffee shop and contributing to the advancement of the industry was always a far reach. It was something I would imagine as I explored cafes around the world, journaling, studying, or reading, while also thinking about what I might do differently in my own shop. I thought maybe I’d come back to this dream later in life, but in 2020, in the midst of pandemic layoffs and a desperate need for solidarity in community, I decided to start taking tangible steps to make it happen.
 
Four years and a big leap later, Lau Lau was born.
 
 
Lau Lau (LA-OW LA-OW) is a specialty coffee shop rooted in Asian American culture and flavor. Our mission is to build a community of intention and care that fosters a sense of belonging through a unique coffee experience.
 
The idea for the shop to be grounded in this influence and named after my mom's Chinese side of the family is deeply personal and comes directly from my own Chinese-American experience. Growing up in a biracial home in the midwest, most of my life has been spent trying to find a balance between worlds and identities, always navigating the challenges of fitting into societal molds and finding where I fit in. Understanding that "not enough one or the other" is a common sentiment, I wanted to create a space where people felt safe and felt seen in all of their life experiences. At Lau Lau, we proudly celebrate the fusion of Asian and American cultures while also acknowledging that the notions of culture and belonging are intricate and multidimensional. We embrace the fact that these concepts are constantly evolving, and we aim to be a space where we can reclaim and honor the richness of mixed heritage.
 
In dedicating ourselves to cultivating a culture of care, it’s crucial that we aim to address the challenges of the industry and the world around us. We keep this at the forefront of our work, and we are committed to pushing the status quo and using our platform to drive meaningful change – not only for the hospitality industry, but for society as a whole. From the selection of small, local vendors to the design of our menu, we approach every decision with intentionality and a people-first mindset, consistently holding ourselves accountable to our values and vision.
 
 
Currently, we're in the process of securing capital and locking in a space for us to open up in Central Austin. There are a lot of steps to take before we can welcome you into the space to see the entire vision, but we're hopeful that we'll be able to open by early-mid 2025. You can follow along with our progress through the "Updates" section of this page or by following us on IG @laulauatx.
 
 
Lau Lau is a huge project, and with that comes its own challenges. Being unapologetically committed to our people-first values makes it hard to take on investors, as we are unwilling to compromise on this just to meet our bottom line. If that were the case, we would not be launching this project.
 
This means that Lau Lau's startup funds consist entirely of personal savings, small business loans, and any external support we can humbly accept. This is an intimidating and vulnerable risk, but one that I believe in with my whole heart. This said, I could use all the extra support that anyone is willing to contribute to make this dream a reality. Any contribution that you make to this fund will go towards our start-up expenses of securing equipment and goods, and to giving us a cushion to ensure that our employees are well taken care of and our rent is covered. I’m so grateful for any penny that you might be able to contribute if your current life situation allows to do so comfortably. If you’re not able to support financially, a like or share or even a DM of encouragement is more than enough and means more to me than you know.
 
If you believe in our project and the space we're building, please pass this along – we are so, so grateful!

The Campaign FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

 
When will you open up shop?

We're currently working through buildout of our brick & mortar space while continuing our efforts to secure additional capital to support the project. There are a lot of steps to take before we can welcome you into the space to see the entire vision, but we're hopeful that we'll be able to open by mid 2025. You can follow along with our progress through this page or by following us on IG @laulauatx. We promise to keep you in the loop as things keep moving forward!

 

I'm not able to provide any financial contribution at this time. Is there another way I can support Lau Lau? 

Yes, absolutely! We completely understand that expendable income is a privilege and not everyone is in a position to contribute to our project financially at this time. There are so many other ways to support and we truly appreciate any effort. This could include sharing our campaign on socials, spreading the word about Lau Lau around Austin, or collaborating with us in another way that uses your craft or expertise. We are so grateful for all of it!

 

I contributed to a rewards tier. When will I receive it?

We're currently still in buildout stage, and our open date is not yet certain. As we move closer to opening, you will receive email updates with more information on when and how you can redeem your rewards. Thank you so much for your patience - we can't wait to celebrate with you in person soon!

 

I don't live in Austin, but I purchased a rewards tier to give to a friend. How can we make this happen?

This is such a good way to take advantage of rewards and spread the word - thank you! If you purchased a rewards tier with a gift for someone else, we will send your rewards voucher electronically for you to pass along. Please note that this will be delivered closer to our opening date.

 

Madelyn Wigle
01/14/2025
VIP Supporter ✨
$100
Aron 🪶🌌
01/08/2025
VIP Supporter ✨
$100
Khanh
01/08/2025
VIP Supporter ✨
$100
Mimi Hirai
12/31/2024
Monetary Contribution
$300
Ami
12/30/2024
A drink for you ☕️
$25
Marisa Newell
12/30/2024
A drink for you ☕️
$25
N/A
12/29/2024
Monetary Contribution
$30
Jordan
12/29/2024
Exclusive Pre-Opening Tasting 🎊
$300
Brenna
12/28/2024
VIP Supporter ✨
$100
Tim Praetzel
12/24/2024
Monetary Contribution
$100
25.00 USD
A drink for you ☕️

*Best for Austin locals

Voucher for one free specialty drink - on us!

15 Supporters
Select this reward
50.00 USD
Drinks for you + friends ☕️☕️

*Best for Austin locals

Punch card for three free specialty drinks. Share with friends or save them for yourself on your next visits!

7 Supporters
Select this reward
100.00 USD
VIP Supporter ✨

*Best for Austin locals

We're so grateful for you to be a founding supporter of our shop. Our personal thanks to you includes:

  • VIP Discount: Receive 20% off all purchases when you visit the shop
  • Personal invitation to our soft opening party
19 Supporters
Select this reward
300.00 USD
Exclusive Pre-Opening Tasting 🎊

*Best for Austin locals

VIP VIP! Benefit from a 20% discount on all purchases when you visit the shop. PLUS, we're thrilled to invite you and a guest to an intimate tasting experience at our coffee shop before we officially open!

What to Expect with our VIP Tasting:

  • Sneak Peek: Be some of the first to explore our new space!
  • Meet the Team: Get to know our staff and our story in person
  • Personalized Menu Preview: Enjoy a guided tasting of our specialty offerings
10 Supporters
Select this reward

About the Entrepreneur

Austin, TX
Created 1 Campaign
Lifestyle

Rewards

25.00 USD
A drink for you ☕️

*Best for Austin locals

Voucher for one free specialty drink - on us!

15 Supporters
Select this reward
50.00 USD
Drinks for you + friends ☕️☕️

*Best for Austin locals

Punch card for three free specialty drinks. Share with friends or save them for yourself on your next visits!

7 Supporters
Select this reward
100.00 USD
VIP Supporter ✨

*Best for Austin locals

We're so grateful for you to be a founding supporter of our shop. Our personal thanks to you includes:

  • VIP Discount: Receive 20% off all purchases when you visit the shop
  • Personal invitation to our soft opening party
19 Supporters
Select this reward
300.00 USD
Exclusive Pre-Opening Tasting 🎊

*Best for Austin locals

VIP VIP! Benefit from a 20% discount on all purchases when you visit the shop. PLUS, we're thrilled to invite you and a guest to an intimate tasting experience at our coffee shop before we officially open!

What to Expect with our VIP Tasting:

  • Sneak Peek: Be some of the first to explore our new space!
  • Meet the Team: Get to know our staff and our story in person
  • Personalized Menu Preview: Enjoy a guided tasting of our specialty offerings
10 Supporters
Select this reward