Company: KEVO | Founder: Paul McMahon | Hometown: Mercer County
From tinkering in his garage to refining cold brew coffee for the masses, Paul McMahon the founder of KEVO, is on a mission to make better coffee more accessible—and healthier—for everyone. We sat down with him for our inaugural “Five Questions with a Founder” series to explore the journey behind the brand, the lessons learned, and what’s coming next.
1. What did your first “office space” look like?
Let’s just say it wouldn’t pass an OSHA inspection. It wasn’t glamorous, but it was the birthplace of KEVO’s earliest breakthroughs—and proof that persistence and creativity often grow from the most unassuming spaces.
“My first office was my basement and garage,” he shares. “KEVO started as a home experiment. I had a cluttered workbench full of 3D-printed parts, mesh filters, epoxy, and coffee grounds everywhere. My garage turned into a mini lab to test different water flow designs, and my basement housed a constantly running 3D printer cranking out prototypes.”
2. When did you give your first real pitch?
The first public pitch came in March 2023 through Ben Franklin’s TechCelerator program in Erie.
“It was a 10-week program that helped me refine everything—from messaging to delivery. I was pitching to family, friends, even my students at the time. I wanted every word to land.”
But like many firsts, it wasn’t without hiccups.
“The WiFi at my school was unreliable, so I had to hop on the pitch at different points. Still, I won the People’s Choice Award and $1,000—which told me people got it. KEVO wasn’t just a cool idea; it resonated.”
3. What was your first big mistake as a founder?
“Waiting too long to test the market.”
Early on, Paul focused heavily on developing the perfect prototype and trying to secure a patent—out of fear the idea might be taken. But hindsight gave him clarity.
“I should’ve validated the idea earlier with potential customers—even with sketches or rough mockups. The Kickstarter campaign and blind taste tests later confirmed interest, but I could’ve saved time and money by seeking feedback sooner.”
Lesson learned: MVPs aren’t about perfection—they’re about proof.
4. What was the first customer reaction that made you say, ‘I’m on to something’?
“I did blind comparisons between KEVO cold brew and traditional iced coffee. 18 out of 19 testers preferred KEVO. They said it was smoother, less bitter, more refreshing.”
Most people don’t realize cold brew and iced coffee are totally different. Iced coffee is brewed hot and cooled down—retaining bitterness and often getting watered down. KEVO uses a unique method to extract flavor slowly and naturally, using regular coffee or even K-cups—no special coarse grinds needed.
“Then my Kickstarter launched—and people backed it. That’s when I knew: I wasn’t just solving a coffee problem. I was creating a healthier, easier way to enjoy it.”
5. What is your origin story—and what’s next for KEVO?
KEVO was born out of frustration.
“I love cold brew but hated the hassle of making it. During COVID, while mountain biking with a college friend, the idea started to really form. We both majored in physics and kept bouncing inventions back and forth—but KEVO stuck. It addressed a problem that hadn’t been solved.”
Now, he’s finalizing injection molding designs with GeorgeKo Manufacturing in Erie, prepping for full-scale production, launching Amazon sales, and preparing retail partnerships. But KEVO isn’t just stopping at coffee.
Upcoming products include:
A 1-gallon fast-brew cold brew system for households and offices
Final Nuggets of Wisdom
From a garage lab to a growing consumer brand, KEVO’s story is a reminder that the best products don’t just fill gaps in the market—they solve problems people care about, and they’re built by founders who care deeply, too.
Want to follow KEVO’s journey or support its launch? Visit their website and join the movement for smoother, heathier coffee each day.
