Brewing a Better Future: The Mai Brothers’ Coffee Journey

The Mai brothers have distilled their love for coffee and design into a thriving business.

In 2015, Robert Mai ’08 and Charles Mai ’11 co-founded Ovalware, a Los Angeles-based company known for its elegantly designed, functional coffee brewing equipment. Their mission: to enrich the daily coffee ritual for home brewers who appreciate both craftsmanship and the sensory elements of a perfect cup.

While Charles spoke for this interview, the company is very much a collaborative effort. “Our journey with Ovalware began from a shared passion for design, and coffee quickly became the medium through which our passion grew,” Charles said.

Ovalware’s specialty lies in premium brewing products, with their Cold Brew Maker emerging as a bestseller. The company distinguishes itself through sleek, minimalist designs that elevate the art of homebrewing. Recent innovations include stainless steel filters to reduce paper waste, part of a broader sustainability initiative that includes a transition to zero-plastic packaging.

Charles attributes much of his entrepreneurial spirit to his time at Peddie, particularly the creativity he explored in Andrew Harrison’s art classes. “The creative experiences at Peddie significantly shaped my approach to entrepreneurship. Just as creativity knows no boundaries, being an entrepreneur is about pushing beyond what you already know and venturing into the unknown. I frequently ask myself, ‘What if we tried this instead? What if we combined these elements?’ It’s this ongoing process of testing and trial and error that defines the entrepreneurial spirit.”

With their commitment to sustainability and focus on enhancing the coffee experience, the Mai brothers are brewing more than just coffee — they’re crafting a better future, one cup at a time.