Kafiex Roasters Named 2026 Micro Roaster of the Year
Kafiex Roasters has won Roast Magazine’s 2026 Micro Roaster of the Year award, capping a remarkable trajectory for founders Matthew and Seidy Selivanow that started with a simple idea: roast coffee to fund their travels.
The Vancouver, Washington couple launched at a local farmers market in 2017 with a 2-kilo Sonofresco air roaster. Eight years later, they operate two cafes, a dedicated roastery and training facility, and have earned recognition as one of America’s finest small-batch specialty roasters.
From Farmers Market to National Stage
The Selivanows never planned to build a coffee company. Matthew started home roasting as a hobby, giving bags to friends and family. When the feedback turned consistently enthusiastic, they set up a stand at the Vancouver Farmers Market in 2017.
“We were so wrong” about the passive income plan, Matthew told Roast Magazine. What began as a side project became their life’s work.
The name “Kafiex” reflects their globetrotting origins — “Kafi” derives from the Swahili word for coffee, honoring Africa’s coffee heritage and the couple’s travels, while “ex” adds a futuristic edge. Their cafes carry the same internationally-minded spirit, featuring vibrant murals, global music, and signature drinks made with house-made Mexican chocolate syrup and cajeta.
Competing at the Highest Level
What sets Kafiex apart is that both founders compete nationally in their respective disciplines. Matthew placed fourth at both the 2024 and 2025 U.S. Roasting Championships, while Seidy finished eighth and seventh in the 2024 and 2025 U.S. Barista Championships.
This dual competitive pedigree shapes every aspect of the operation. Matthew holds Q-Arabica Grader certification, and every coffee Kafiex roasts gets cupped weekly to ensure consistency. Their minimum score threshold sits at 84 points — nothing below specialty grade makes it into the bag.
Relational Sourcing
The Selivanows emphasize what they call relational sourcing: building friendships with the farmers who grow their coffee rather than simply purchasing through intermediaries. This approach means visiting origins, understanding growing conditions firsthand, and maintaining partnerships year after year.
They prioritize farms committed to ecological balance and fair labor practices, and support organizations like Cafe Femenino that empower women in the coffee industry.
Three Tiers of Specialty
Kafiex organizes their coffee portfolio into three categories designed to showcase the full spectrum of specialty coffee:
- Traditional: Classic profiles for everyday drinking
- Modern: Contemporary expressions with brighter, fruitier notes
- Reserve: Limited releases showcasing exceptional lots
Their energy-efficient, waste-conscious roasting operation has earned Certified Clark County Green Business status, aligning their environmental practices with their sourcing ethics.
Why This Matters
The Micro Roaster of the Year award recognizes small companies making outsized contributions to coffee quality and culture. Kafiex represents a particular kind of success story: a passion project that grew into something meaningful through relentless attention to craft.
For the Selivanows, the award validates years of simultaneous building — growing a business while competing nationally, developing roasting skills while training baristas, opening cafes while maintaining farm relationships.
Kafiex hosts Vancouver’s annual Cold Brew Festival and runs educational programming including tastings, workshops, and barista training. Their training facility, expanded in fall 2025, ensures the next generation of Pacific Northwest coffee professionals has a place to learn.
The award joins Driftaway Coffee’s Macro Roaster of the Year win, completing Roast Magazine’s 2026 recognition of excellence at both ends of the roasting scale.