Dan Klein and Patrick Tannous

Image courtesy of Tiesta Tea
Image courtesy of Tiesta Tea
Dan Klein and Patrick Tannous are the co-founders of Tiesta Tea. Founded in 2010, Tiesta Tea is a home grown tea company that is making loose leaf tea accessible and affordable to everyone. The Chicago-based company’s products are now available in over 8000 stores and cafes across the country. Dan Klein has been named in Crain's Chicago Business 20 In Their 20s list. Tiesta Tea was also listed as one of the fastest growing private companies in America, according to and have been on the Inc. 5000 list three years in a row. The company has raised $5.5 million in funding (venture capital and grants) to date, and most recently reported revenues of $7.6 million.

Tiesta Tea is also known for making a difference locally and worldwide with the Tiesta Tea Foundation. The Foundation provides assistance to those facing economic hardship, works to increase acceptance and awareness of those with special needs or disabilities, as well as provides clean, safe drinking water to villages of developing countries. Learn More.

 

Illinois Resources Leveraged

Image courtesy of Tiesta Tea
Image courtesy of Tiesta Tea
Patrick Tannous at the matcha harvest in Japan. Image courtesy of Tiesta Tea.
Patrick Tannous at the matcha harvest in Japan. Image courtesy of Tiesta Tea.
EnterpriseWorks Incubator Tenant at Research Park

Illinois Launch, a program through Origin Ventures Academy for Entrepreneurial Leadership at the Gies College of Business designed to launch university startups.


Founders
Dan Klein | CEO & Co-founder (Finance '10, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign)
Patrick Tannous | President & Co-founder (Communication '08, University of Illinois at Chicago)