DFA reveals nine start-ups selected for latest accelerator

Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) has revealed the nine start-ups selected to join its 2020 accelerator, as the programme launches remotely this week.

The 90-day immersive scheme provides mentorship and training, focusing on areas such as business development, product development and marketing, to help participants accelerate growth. Start-ups taking part also have opportunities to meet with different DFA executives, other relevant investors and industry leaders.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the programme is kicking off virtually, with the hope of having some on-site, group learning in July.

The accelerator finalists in full:

• Armenta (Ra’anana, Israel) – developer of a non-invasive technology for antibiotic-free treatment of bovine mastitis.
• Capro-X (Ithaca, New York) – ag-tech firm with a sustainable solution for whey waste from Greek yogurt production.
• Livestock Water Recycling (Alberta, Canada) – recycles manure into clean water while segregating nutrients for precision fertiliser application.
• Mi Terro (Los Angeles) – sustainable fashion brand that uses excess milk to make men’s and women’s t-shirts.
• Chank’s Grab-N-Go (Millville, New Jersey) – handheld snack firm with a portfolio of pizza cones, philly cheesesteak cones and more.
• GoodSport (Chicago) – company behind an all-natural sports drink made from milk, with naturally occurring electrolytes and vitamins.
• SuperFrau (Cambridge, Massachusetts) – upcycles surplus whey to make electrolyte drinks, with real ingredients and no added sugars.
• Wheyward Spirit (Eugene, Oregon) – creator of a premium spirit made from whey.
• Yaar Nordic Quark Bar (London) – produces Nordic chilled dairy snacks using fresh quark, a mixture of cow’s milk and natural lactic acid.

Doug Dresslaer, director of innovation at DFA, said: “We’re excited about the companies for this year’s class. Not only is this the biggest group that we’ve ever had, but a lot of these companies are developing cutting-edge products and solutions.

“Plus, on both the ag-tech and food sides of the program, we have companies doing really cool things with sustainability and dairy by-products, which is a strategic focus for our cooperative and the industry.”

DFA says it has so far worked with 25 companies as part of its accelerator programme. Last year’s participants included a chewy milk treats manufacturer and a firm that had developed a probiotic which decreases cattle’s methane production by 50%, when paired with nitrate.