Cornell University Launches Dairy Runway Program for Food Innovators
Cornell University's Center for Regional Economic Advancement (CREA) has officially opened the application process for the sixth cohort of its Dairy Runway program. This initiative is designed to support early-stage food entrepreneurs focused on developing value-added dairy products. The program is free of charge and offers participants essential resources such as prototyping training and business coaching.
Over the past three years, Dairy Runway has successfully assisted 30 teams of dairy product innovators. The program operates in collaboration with the Cornell College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) and receives funding from the Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC). It is specifically open to food entrepreneurs in the Northeast who are developing products using cow, goat, or sheep milk sourced from an 11-state region.
The upcoming cohort will commence with a seven-week virtual course. This course introduces participants to the business model canvas framework and the customer discovery process. It combines self-directed online learning activities with live virtual classes and one-on-one instructor check-ins. Notably, these classes include discussions with subject matter experts from creative marketing agencies, established retailers, and founders of food and beverage startups.
Following the virtual course, participants enter the Kitchen Incubator phase. Here, they begin testing product formulations and work towards creating prototypes at one of Cornell's two food processing facilities. This phase is supported by the university's dairy specialists and food technicians. Additionally, participants receive guidance from business coaches to refine their business models and pitch decks, culminating in a virtual pitch session.
The program's application deadline is set for September 16, 2026, at 5 p.m. ET, with a selection of up to six teams to participate. The program will start with the online entrepreneurship course in October. Interested entrepreneurs can attend one of three information sessions offered by CREA over the summer to learn more about the program's resources and requirements.
The Dairy Runway program is administered by the Center for Regional Economic Advancement, a division of Cornell Research & Innovation, and aims to strengthen the foundation of dairy businesses across the Northeast region.
