Get to know Moka Energy, a startup in the NextCorps incubator solving the “energy speedbump” with coffee you can eat.
Based on an interview with Tom Seymour, co-founder and CEO of Moka Energy
Two-thirds of American adults drink coffee every day, averaging three cups each. For many, that means waiting for a pot to brew, standing in line at a café, or lugging a mug around. None of that works for people who need a quick pick-me-up—when commuting to work, stuck on a call, or shifting to the gym. Those who turn to energy drinks also contend with potential spills and an eventual crash. All of this—the prep, the mess, the cleanup, and the energy dip—led Tom Seymore to wonder, is there a simpler solution?
The answer led him to build Moka Energy, a Rochester startup specializing in coffee bean bars that combine the snap of a chocolate bar with the bite of espresso. Available in Dark Roast, Vanilla Latte, and Caramel Cappuccino, each bar delivers 90mg of naturally occurring caffeine from real, ethically sourced coffee.
“We weren’t interested in creating another energy bar or putting artificial caffeine into candy,” Seymour said. “We wanted to honor coffee itself and make it more convenient for modern life.”
The company also carries bags of expertly roasted coffee, with sales supporting the continued production of its signature bars. Every purchase fuels the mission.
Brewing success
Since launching in early 2026, Moka Energy has quickly gained traction both within and beyond Rochester’s startup ecosystem. The team won first place at the Rochester chapter of Startup Grind’s Pitch Battle Royale, then advanced through nationals to finish second in the global finals out of hundreds of startups.
“As the only consumer packaged goods company in the [Pitch Battle Royale] finals, it was an incredible validation of the product, the team, and the opportunity ahead of us,” Seymour said.
That momentum is now translating into retail growth. A new partnership with Rainforest Distribution—one of the East Coast’s fastest-growing specialty food and beverage distributors— will bring Moka products to approximately 250 retail locations.
On the national stage, Food Network recently named Moka Energy’s Caramel Cappuccino Coffee Bean Bar one of its editors’ favorite trending products from the 2026 Summer Fancy Food Show, highlighting the Rochester startup alongside a select group of standouts from the event.
“When we started Moka, we believed there was a better way to bring coffee into the moments when a cup simply does not fit,” Seymour said. “To see Food Network recognize that idea on a national stage is incredibly meaningful. We are still early, and we know there is a lot of work ahead, but this is a proud moment for our team and a strong signal that the product is resonating.”
Finding a community
Seymour says NextCorps has provided much more than office space. Through guidance from Entrepreneurs-in-Residence and conversations at monthly founder roundtables, the Moka team has connected with fellow founders who understand the realities of building a startup. Those conversations have delivered honest feedback, fresh perspectives, and a chance to learn from entrepreneurs navigating many of the same challenges.
“Entrepreneurship can sometimes feel isolating, but NextCorps gives us a place where collaboration happens naturally,” said Seymour. “As a Rochester-based company, it is meaningful to build Moka Energy inside an organization that is committed to helping local innovation grow and succeed.”
Break off a piece of coffee
With products now reaching more retailers and earning national recognition, Moka Energy is focused on getting its coffee bean bars into the hands of more coffee drinkers. To find a retailer near you or follow the company’s latest launches and sampling events, visit mokaenergy.com.