Disco Cow Wins $20,000 Midwest Dairy Prize
Midwest Dairy Accelerator awards Disco Cow $20,000 to support scaled manufacturing of whipped cottage cheese and retail growth.
Midwest Dairy has named Illinois startup Disco Cow the grand prize winner of its second annual Midwest Dairy Accelerator. Founder Kate Colehour received $20,000 after a live pitch competition at the Green Acres Event Center near Minneapolis in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. The funding will support Disco Cow’s move from founder-led production to scaled manufacturing. The competition closed a 10-week virtual program created by Midwest Dairy with innovation advisory firm VentureFuel.
Support for Dairy Startups
The accelerator was designed for emerging food and beverage brands that use Midwest dairy as a key ingredient. Founders received workshops, one-on-one mentorship and direct collaboration with ingredient experts, processors, manufacturers, retailers, academics and food industry executives.
Programming covered consumer insights, ingredients and innovation, manufacturing, distribution, retail strategy, marketing and business pitching. The format gives participating companies a structured program spanning product, production and commercial topics.
Funding for Manufacturing Growth
Disco Cow’s prize will help the company increase production of its whipped cottage cheese as it supports a growing retail presence.
Kate Colehour, Founder at Disco Cow, said:
“The Midwest Dairy Accelerator has connected Disco Cow with an incredible network of experts, resources, and people who are genuinely excited about the future of dairy. The $20,000 grand prize is going to help us move from founder-led production to scaled manufacturing, which supports our growing retail presence and gets whipped cottage cheese into the hands of more consumers!”
Second Year of the Program
Midwest Dairy and VentureFuel partnered for the accelerator’s second year. The program connects participants with dairy ecosystem leaders while covering topics from ingredients to retail strategy.
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Corey Scott, CEO at Midwest Dairy, said:
“Dairy farmers have a long-standing legacy of innovation, and that commitment continues to shape the future of our industry. It has been a pleasure to equip emerging dairy brands with the expertise, connections and resources to strengthen the dairy category and create new opportunities for consumers.”
Fred Schonenberg, CEO at VentureFuel, said:
“The vision and execution demonstrated by Disco Cow represents the kind of innovation that drives meaningful commercial impact. We’re proud to have partnered with Midwest Dairy for a second year to accelerate breakthrough ideas and support entrepreneurs innovating with real dairy.”
Program Information
Food and beverage founders can find information on the program and this year’s winner at MidwestDairyAccelerator.com.
