The annual accelerator brings together dairy entrepreneurs and industry experts for a three-month business mentorship. Selected companies partake in various sessions that help them “scale up their operations and achieve meaningful growth.”
Those that applied for the program are required to use dairy as a primary ingredient in their products, but can span different categories within the wide industry.
According to the accelerator website, “participants will get hands on experience in finance, brand building, manufacturing, sales, distribution and leadership development,” during their three-month excursion.
The class of 2018
Blue Marble Ice Cream: an organic ice cream and sorbet brand from Brooklyn, NY that was founded by two friends in 2007. They describe their pint flavors as ‘elemental’ as well as “classic, straight-forward and pure.” Chocolate, Vanilla and Strawberry are all mainstays, as well as more adventurous options like Mexican Chocolate and Midnight Mint Cookie.
Darling Pickle Dips: a line of pickled vegetable dips blended with herbs and spices in a cream cheese and white bean base. Flavors like Original Dill Pickle, Spicy Pickle and Fiery Jalapeno & Roasted Tomato are sold in Minnesota retailers. Darling Foods was founded in Minneapolis in 2017.
Norr Skyr: a brand of high-protein, organic skyr, which is a cultured, Icelandic dairy product considered similar to yogurt. Norr Skyr contains just fresh milk, live active cultures and Nordic botanicals. It’s available with blends of blueberry and lavender, gooseberries, elderflower, sea buckthorn and matcha tea.
Numa Foods: an all-natural ‘chewy milk treat’ infused with nuts and dried fruit. Positioned as a healthy, low-sugar candy, Numa Milk Chews contain vitamins and macros and no artificial ingredients or preservatives. A mother and daughter team developed the treats, inspired by Taiwanese nougat, from a childhood-favorite family recipe.
SmashPack: a collection of protein pudding and protein smoothie pouches for the active or on-the-go consumer. A husband and wife duo created SmashPack in 2013 in an effort to eat healthier and follow a paleo diet. The high-protein puddings come in chocolate and chocolate peanut butter while the smoothies are sold in orange peach, tropical fruit and mixed berry.
Tulip Tree Creamery: an Indianapolis-based creamery with a Dutch background that produces cheese and butter. Launched in 2014, the dairy products are sold in cheese shops, specialty markets and restaurants. Tulip Tree offers cheese-making, mozzarella-making and butter-making classes at the facilities that allows consumers the chance to learn about dairy and take home the products they make.
