DFA introduces 2021 accelerator cohort

Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) has revealed the seven start-ups selected to be part of its 2021 accelerator, as the programme launches virtually this week.

The renamed DFA CoLab Accelerator is a 90-day immersive scheme that provides mentorship and training in areas including business development, product development, marketing, distribution and brand building.

As part of the programme – which aims to help participants accelerate growth – start-ups will have opportunities to work with DFA executives and other relevant investors and industry leaders.

The accelerator finalists in full:

• Saga Ventures – developer of a cheese snack bar that incorporates fruit, nuts and spices to create a miniature cheeseboard.
• SimpliFed – uses nutritional and microbiome science to develop personalised organic infant formula and nutrition supplements.
• The Modern Milkman – creator of an online platform that offers fresh local products delivered directly to consumers’ doorsteps.
• Veri Nano – creator of a patent-pending nanotechnology that is used as a bovine teat sealant, disinfectant and antimicrobial coating, as well as a skincare and wound care treatment.
• DairyOffice – platform that manages the collection of data on farms, integrating with other software and systems and providing analytical tools.
• H2Ok Innovations – developer of a data analytics platform and propriety sensor that is designed to help manufacturers gain real-time visibility into industrial liquid systems.
• CattleEye – aims to deliver a deep learning, cloud-based artificial intelligence platform that interprets visual imagery of cattle from web cameras. The autonomous livestock monitoring system will extract insights across areas including animal welfare.

“We’re really excited about this year’s class and the potential for their innovations,” said Doug Dresslaer, director of innovation at DFA.

“It’s a very diverse group with some cutting-edge ag-technologies that can help solve problems and benefit our farm family owners as well as product-focused start-ups that are exploring new possibilities for dairy foods.”

Last year’s participants included a Nordic chilled dairy snacks producer and a sustainable fashion brand that uses excess milk to make men’s and women’s t-shirts.