Inside Croydon writes up TeaJoy founders' award win

Inside Croydon covered the award win on 3 July 2025, naming TeaJoy founder Ning Ma as the Croydon entrepreneur behind the brand. The piece traces TeaJoy's growth from a lockdown kitchen project at MamaLan restaurant in Brixton into a supplier for more than 800 UK outlets, ranging from independent businesses to major national chains, and notes the London Startup of the Year, Food & Drink category, at the UK StartUp Awards 2025.

Judges quoted in the piece said TeaJoy "stood out for its bold innovation, rapid growth, and joyful approach" to ready-to-drink bubble tea. Inside Croydon reported TeaJoy planned to release its canned bubble tea the following month, aiming to reach everyday consumers beyond its existing foodservice outlets, with all products made from real fruit juice and premium tea in vegan, allergen-free formulations. The piece set this against a bubble tea market it said was driven by Gen Z consumers and projected to exceed £2 billion by 2028, and noted TeaJoy would go on to compete in the national final later in 2025. Ning Ma said after the ceremony, "This award celebrates the entrepreneurial spirit that's been part of TeaJoy since Day One." Read the piece on Inside Croydon. See where to find us on our TeaJoy where to buy page.

What the award recognised

The London Startup of the Year award sits within the UK StartUp Awards, which celebrate the country's most exciting new businesses. The Food & Drink category recognises founders who have built something genuinely new in a competitive market. TeaJoy was chosen for combining product innovation with rapid commercial growth — from a single kitchen to hundreds of locations in just a few years.

Where TeaJoy is going next

Since the win, TeaJoy has continued to expand its ready-to-drink range. The launch of canned bubble tea marked a shift from supplying cafés and restaurants to reaching consumers directly. With flavours including Peach & Mango and Passionfruit & Strawberry, the cans are low in sugar, vegan, and made with real fruit juice. The brand now sells online, on Amazon, and through retailers and hospitality partners across the UK.

About TeaJoy

TeaJoy was founded by Ning Ma, a former restaurateur who was frustrated by the complex, time-consuming process of serving bubble tea. She developed her own recipes to make it simple, consistent, and joyful. Today, TeaJoy has sold over 2.5 million drinks and is served in more than 800 UK locations.