The California Milk Advisory Board, in partnership with VentureFuel, has named 15 companies to the eighth annual Real California Milk Excelerator. Alumni of the program have generated nearly $60 million in brand sales for the dairy category since 2021, and past winners Petit Pot and Smearcase have gone on to reshape their segments.
The program now runs on two tracks: eight growth-stage companies in the Excelerator and seven earlier-stage products in an Incubator track. Both receive programming, mentorship and resources built to speed company and product growth.
For grocery retailers, the 2026 class offers an early look at what could be headed for the dairy and frozen cases. The lineup centers on global flavors, functional nutrition, convenience and indulgence. Innova Market Insights’ Top Global Dairy and Dairy Alternatives Trends 2026 report points to the same forces, naming functionality, gut health, protein, convenience and occasion-driven formats as the drivers shaping dairy innovation.
“After eight years, we’re doubling down on commercialization, helping companies using the Real California Milk seal scale their businesses, strengthen their path to market and navigate an increasingly challenging CPG environment,” said Bob Carroll, CEO of the CMAB. “That’s the California spirit at the heart of this program: bringing innovation to dairy and giving entrepreneurs the tools, connections and support they need to turn great ideas into lasting businesses.”
2026 growth-stage cohort
The eight Excelerator companies:
- Leo Leo Gelato, Paso Robles, Calif.: Sea salt caramel gelato cookie sandwiches made in small batches with fresh dairy and ingredients from California’s Central Coast. Represented by Founder and President Niccolo Lekai.
- Life Raft Treats, North Charleston, S.C.: Not Fried Chicken, ice cream bars shaped like fried chicken drumsticks, aimed at the novelty ice cream aisle. Represented by Founder and CEO Cynthia Wong.
- Maazah, Minneapolis: Creamy Afghan yogurt dips made with clean ingredients and fresh herbs. Represented by Founder and CEO Yasameen Sajady.
- RoseBud Ice Cream, Glen Ellyn, Ill.: Soft serve ice cream in a mess-free pouch for parlor-style soft serve on the go. Represented by Founder Sam Rose.
- Secret Creamery, Las Vegas: Super-premium ice cream built on a proprietary four-strain probiotic mix, with a flavor portfolio drawn from East and Southeast Asian traditions. Represented by Owner Brian Mosko.
- Hartman Strawberry/Acai Protein Drink, Ontario, Calif.: High-protein drinkable yogurt in a freeze/thaw format with an extended shelf life, pairing protein and gut-health benefits. Represented by Partner Bob Cannone.
- Tulsi Foods, Anaheim, Calif.: Clean-label paneer made with traditional methods and no additives, positioned to move the category from the ethnic aisle into the mainstream dairy case. Represented by CFO Tanuj Chawla.
- Yah Yah Yah, Denver: Ready-to-drink iced lattes inspired by Middle Eastern coffee traditions, made with real milk, honey, 5 grams of prebiotic fiber and no artificial sweeteners or preservatives. Represented by Founder and CEO Sarah Yahya.
Incubator track
The seven companies selected for the earlier-stage Incubator track are Yaza Foods, Freezcake Snacks, Teiny, Mac Squares, Kadak, Spun and Monava. Their concepts include labneh, freeze-dried cheesecake, cottage cheese-based snacks, frozen mac and cheese, ready-to-drink protein chai, cultured dairy ice cream and a ready-to-drink latte designed for healthcare workers.
$30,000 awards and a $100,000 grand prize
The program culminates in December at a pitch event in San Luis Obispo, Calif., where the eight Excelerator companies will present their businesses and products to a live judging panel. Four finalists will each receive $30,000 in marketing support and be tracked for in-market performance over the following 12 months, competing for a $100,000 grand prize to be awarded in 2027.
The event also will reveal the $100,000 grand prize winner from the 2025 finalist group.
“In 2026, we’re doubling down on what founders need most to scale, giving them practical support and measurable pathways to growth, getting products on shelves, driving sales and creating lasting demand for California dairy,” said Fred Schonenberg, founder and CEO of VentureFuel.
The CMAB, an instrumentality of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, represents the state’s dairy farm families and promotes products made with Real California Milk. California is the nation’s leading milk-producing state.