Real California Milk Excelerator Boosts Dairy Brand Innovation

The Real California Milk Excelerator, run by the California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB) in partnership with innovation firm VentureFuel, has once again put the spotlight on dairy innovation by supporting emerging and growth-stage dairy brands that use real California milk to meet evolving consumer needs for protein, clean labels, sustainability and indulgence. The program combines funding, mentorship and strategic support to help dairy entrepreneurs build stronger, scalable businesses.

Now in its seventh year, the Excelerator provides participants with access to resources without requiring them to give up ownership — empowering founders to drive growth while maintaining control of their brands. A pitch event in Napa, California, saw seven startup companies present to a live judging panel, with four finalists receiving $30,000 each in marketing support. These finalists will have their sales tracked through 2026 as they compete for the $100,000 grand prize, which will be awarded later this year.

The four finalists illustrate the breadth of innovation in real dairy products:

• Joseph Farms String Cheese — lactose-free string cheese with 7 g of protein per stick.

• Mavens Creamery — Asian-inspired indulgent ice creams in unique flavours.

• Pioneer Pastures — ultra-filtered A2 whole milk with higher protein and lower sugar.

• Sweet Craft Dessert Cups — clean-label, Italian-style dessert cups in BPA-free packaging.

The Real California Milk Excelerator underscores how traditional dairy can evolve to satisfy modern consumer expectations, blending functional nutrition, taste innovation and clean-label simplicity. By linking California milk producers with forward-thinking brands, the program helps expand dairy’s presence in new market segments, support dairy farm sustainability and strengthen dairy value chains.

Source : Dairynews7x7 Jan 17th 2026 Read full story here