The latest edition of the Real California Milk Excelerator is now open to emerging companies cooking up the dairy products of the future.
Organized by the California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB) and advisory firm VentureFuel, this year’s competition features and Excelerator track (for growth-stage firms) and an Incubator stage (for early-stage start-ups) as it aims to capture the most promising cohort of dairy innovators yet.
Since launching in 2019, the initiative has enabled more than 50 startups drive multi-million-dollar growth and national retail expansion across Whole Foods, Sprouts, Costco and more.
The program provides access to mentorship and cash prizes, including $30,000 in marketing support for each finalist and a $100,000 grand prize for the company with the best in-market performance over the following 12 months.
In 2024, French-style dairy dessert maker Petit Pot received the $100,000 prize while four start-ups, including a cottage cheese ice cream firm and a meal replacement shake maker, were chosen to receive $30,000 each to scale-up their offering this year.
The 2024 finalists were . . .
Picked from a pool of 20 up and coming businesses, last year’s four finalists – who are all vying for the $100,000 grand prize this year – were:
- Pluff, a fluffy protein dessert with high nutritional value founded by Dylan Paul
- Projo, an instant coffee blend infused with dairy and collagen founded by Charbel Mawad
- Smearcase, a cottage-cheese-based ice cream founded by Joe Rotondo
- Todo, a meal replacement shake with a balanced nutritional content founded by Niket Soni
Applicants need to demonstrate that their ideas have a strong growth potential and must be made with at least 50% dairy.
In 2025, categories of interest include: beverages, snacks, cheeses, yogurts, butter, confections, and non-edible items such as personal care or pet products, with a specific interest in GLP-1 friendly, gut health, high protein, lactose-free and reduced sugar products.
US dairy sales on the up
According to Circana, real milk sales rose 4.6% year-over-year in dollar terms through May 2025.
The program will run for 10 weeks and offer support for formulation and production, marketing and retail strategy and mentorship and networking opportunities across the dairy supply chain. The finalists will be selected at an in-person event to be held in California where the participants will make a live pitch and up to four companies will be selected to receive $30,000.
Applications are open through August 4, 2025. Those interested in joining the 2025 cohort may find out more about the key dates, rules and the application process by attending a webinar on July 15, 2025 at 12pm PST at realcalimilkexcelerator.com
Bob Caroll, CEO of the CMAB, commented: “From concept to commercialization, our expanded program meets innovators where they are and helps them scale by tapping into the powerful benefits of California milk and our support system for brands that use the Real California Milk seal.
Do you have a food-tech innovation that you are proud about?
There’s still time to enter the European heats of Global Food Teach Awards 2025.
The closing date is July 1 8, and judges are looking for outstanding ideas that are shaping the future of food.
Your innovation can impact any part of the food and beverage supply chain, from alt proteins and sustainable ingredients to AI-driven solutions, personalised nutrition and gut health, upcycled products, and cutting-edge smart packaging.
Winners will be invited to pitch live to investors and industry leaders on stage at the Future Food-Tech Summit in London on September 24 where they’ll also receive a trophy.