The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB), in partnership with VentureFuel, has announced 15 companies selected for the eighth annual Real California Milk (RCM) Excelerator, an innovation programme designed to accelerate dairy product development, commercialisation and market expansion.
The 2026 programme features two separate tracks: eight growth-stage companies in the Excelerator cohort and seven earlier-stage businesses in the Incubator track. Participants will receive access to mentorship, business development resources and support aimed at accelerating revenue growth, retail expansion, investment readiness and AI-enabled business transformation.
Since 2021, alumni of the programme have generated nearly US$60 million in brand sales for the dairy category, according to CMAB. Previous winners, including Petit Pot and Smearcase, have expanded their presence in their respective dairy segments.
Global Flavours and Functional Nutrition Drive Innovation
The growth-stage cohort reflects four prominent product-development themes: global flavours, functional nutrition, convenience and experiential indulgence.
The selected companies and their products include:
- Leo Leo Gelato: Sea salt caramel gelato cookie sandwiches made with fresh local dairy.
- Life Raft Treats: Not Fried Chicken Ice Cream, a novelty frozen dessert designed to resemble fried chicken drumsticks.
- Maazah: Afghan-inspired creamy yoghurt dips featuring herbs and versatile flavour combinations.
- RoseBud Ice Cream: Soft-serve ice cream in a convenient, mess-free pouch.
- Secret Creamery: Premium ice cream featuring a proprietary four-strain probiotic blend and East and Southeast Asian-inspired flavours.
- Hartman Strawberry/Acai Protein Drink: High-protein drinkable yoghurt in a freeze/thaw format, designed for extended shelf life and convenient consumption.
- Tulsi Foods: Clean-label paneer made using traditional methods without additives, targeting wider mainstream retail distribution.
- Yah Yah Yah: Ready-to-drink iced lattes inspired by Middle Eastern coffee traditions, made with real milk, real honey and 5g of prebiotic fibre.
The earlier-stage Incubator cohort includes Yaza Foods, Freezcake Snacks, Teiny, Mac Squares, Kadak, Spun and Monava. Their concepts include labneh, freeze-dried cheesecake, cottage cheese-based snacks, frozen macaroni and cheese, protein chai, cultured dairy ice cream and ready-to-drink lattes designed for healthcare workers.
Commercialisation and Retail Expansion in Focus
The programme is placing greater emphasis on helping emerging dairy brands move from product innovation to commercial success.
CMAB CEO Bob Carroll said the initiative is focused on strengthening market access, supporting brand growth and helping businesses navigate an increasingly challenging consumer packaged goods environment.
VentureFuel Founder and CEO Fred Schonenberg described the programme as a commercialisation platform for value-added dairy innovation, with practical support to help founders secure retail placement, increase sales and build lasting consumer demand.
Funding and Competition Structure
The programme will culminate in a pitch event scheduled for December in San Luis Obispo, California. The eight growth-stage companies will present their businesses and products to a judging panel.
Four finalists will each receive US$30,000 in marketing support. Their in-market performance will then be tracked over 12 months as they compete for a US$100,000 grand prize in 2027.
The December event will also announce the US$100,000 winner from the 2025 Excelerator finalist group.
The 2026 cohort illustrates the expanding role of dairy ingredients in functional foods, protein-rich beverages, cultured products, premium desserts and convenience-led formats. By connecting startups with mentorship and commercialisation support, the programme aims to create new market opportunities for California dairy.
Source: Dairynews7x7 02 Oct, 2026 Read full story here
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