Kimbo, the coffee of Naples, already the Official Coffee of the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup, has now become Official Coffee Partner of GB1, the British America’s Cup Challenger led by Sir Ben Ainslie.
The new partnership with GB1 builds on Kimbo’s role as Official Coffee of the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup, further strengthening the Neapolitan brand’s presence at one of the world’s most iconic international sporting events. The announcement comes ahead of the second Preliminary Regatta in Naples from 24 to 27 September 2026. The partnership will continue through to the 38th America’s Cup, which commences with the Louis Vuitton Cup on 22 May 2027.
Kimbo was founded in Naples in 1963 and has taken its Neapolitan coffee culture to more than 100 countries. Now, as the America’s Cup teams take to the water in Kimbo’s home city on the iconic Bay of Naples, its logo will feature on the sail of the GB1 boat for the first time.
Sir Ben Ainslie, Team Principal of GB1, says: “Kimbo joining as a partner of GB1 feels like a really natural fit. It brings an authentic part of Neapolitan culture into our team environment and, with Naples at the heart of this America’s Cup, it’s great to have that connection with the city and its people.
“When you’re training and competing together for long periods, it’s often those small moments in the day that help bring people together. Coffee is definitely one of those for us. Whether it’s first thing in the morning, between meetings or after a training session, it creates a moment for the team to get together and talk. Kimbo helps us build that connection.”
GB1 returns to the America’s Cup following its landmark campaign at the 37th edition in 2024, when it became the first British team in 60 years to race in the America’s Cup Match and the first to win the Louis Vuitton Cup. That was Britain’s most successful performance in the competition’s history. With a new structure and new backers, Oakley Capital, GB1 will look to go one better at the 38th America’s Cup.
Precision is fundamental to success in the world’s oldest international sporting competition, which began in 1851 and predates the modern Olympic Games by 45 years. Kimbo is similarly defined by attention to detail: every roast profile, every blend and every extraction is the result of control, experience and refinement. Tradition and innovation are integral to the Kimbo story.
The partnership also reflects Kimbo’s growing ambitions in the United Kingdom. With a subsidiary based in London and an established presence in the market, GB1 represents a strategic platform to increase brand awareness and support the next phase of Kimbo’s commercial development in Britain.
Massimiliano Scala, Head of Marketing at Kimbo, says: “Our partnership with GB1 is a strategic step in Kimbo’s international growth journey. The UK, where we have been investing for several years through our London-based subsidiary, is an increasingly important market for us. Partnering with such an iconic British team gives us a powerful platform to build awareness and create new opportunities for the development of the Kimbo brand in the market.
“At the same time, as Official Coffee of the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup, we have the opportunity to bring the culture and excellence of Neapolitan coffee to a truly international audience. GB1 adds another dimension to this journey, connecting our roots in Naples with our ambitions in the UK.”
Kimbo and GB1 each combine tradition with a focus on the future. Kimbo is led by the third generation of the founding Rubino family, while GB1, Cobham Ultra GB2 and the Athena Pathway are developing the next generation of America’s Cup talent.
Kimbo has cultivated a strong presence in sport. Earlier this year, it was announced as Official Coffee of the Louis Vuitton 38th America's Cup. In 2025, it served sports fans in the hospitality area at the Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix. It was also Official Coffee of the ATP 1000 National Bank Open in Toronto. In 2026, Kimbo became Official Coffee of the Napoli Basketball team.
The company’s mission is to spread the excellence of Neapolitan coffee to the world, rooted in tradition, driven by passion and evolving with new generations.
