# Issam Freiha

> Issam Freiha is the co-founder and chief executive of Blank Street, the coffee company that began with a battery-powered cart in Williamsburg in 2020 and expanded across American and British cities. Born in Beirut, raised in London and educated at Columbia, he first built an investing career before turning a familiar urban purchase into an exercise in compact real estate, operational discipline and expressive brand design.

- **Role:** Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer at Blank Street
- **Organizations:** Blank Street, Reshape Ventures, Alrai Capital, Morgan Stanley, Janus Henderson Investors
- **From:** Beirut, Lebanon
- **Nationality:** Lebanese
- **Education:** Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Statistics, Columbia University
- **Known for:** Co-founded Blank Street, which grew from one Brooklyn cart into a multi-country coffee chain., Built an early venture fund with partners while in college; its first fund focused on transportation technology., Helped Blank Street raise a $25 million Series A in 2021 after a $7 million seed round.

## Career timeline

- **2015** — Worked in equity research at Janus Henderson Investors.
- **2016** — Worked in investment banking at Morgan Stanley.
- **2017** — Completed his Columbia degree and became a partner at the venture firm later known as Reshape Ventures.
- **2020** — Co-founded Blank Street and launched its first battery-powered coffee cart near the Wythe Diner in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
- **2021** — Blank Street opened its first permanent Williamsburg location and announced a $25 million Series A after an earlier $7 million seed round.
- **2022** — Blank Street expanded to London; Brooklyn Magazine named Freiha and Vinay Menda among its BK 50.
- **2024** — Blank Street reported 40 UK and 44 US shops as its drinks program broadened beyond classic coffee.
- **2026** — Freiha described Blank Street's Los Angeles arrival and its evolved focus on design, hospitality and ‘daily luxury.’

## Achievements

- Co-founded Blank Street, which grew from one Brooklyn cart into a multi-country coffee chain.
- Built an early venture fund with partners while in college; its first fund focused on transportation technology.
- Helped Blank Street raise a $25 million Series A in 2021 after a $7 million seed round.
- Was named with Vinay Menda to Brooklyn Magazine's 2022 BK 50.
- Was selected with Menda for Imbibe's 2022 list of people to watch.

## Latest updates

- **2026-09** — Blank Street opened its first US West Coast store in Studio City, Los Angeles; Freiha said the company remained focused on quality, hospitality and care in every detail.
- **2026-08** — Freiha discussed Blank Street's Los Angeles launch, new ice cream plans and neighborhood-specific store design in an interview republished by The Smudge Report.
- **2026-03** — Freiha said most of Blank Street's leadership team had been developed internally and advertised a Head of Central Operations role with a path toward COO.

## Links

- Website: https://blankstreet.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/issamfreiha

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/issam-freiha
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-09-26