Cornell University Opens Applications for Dairy Runway Entrepreneurship Program in 2025
The Dairy Runway Entrepreneurship Program, presented by Cornell University's Center for Regional Economic Advancement (CREA), is now accepting applications for its Fall 2025 cohort. This initiative is designed specifically for food entrepreneurs who have early-stage concepts for value-added dairy products. This free program emphasizes product ideation, customer exploration, and prototype development, which is a critical phase for helping food innovators in the burgeoning dairy sector.
Since its launch in 2023, the Dairy Runway initiative has gained traction by collaborating with Cornell's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) and the Northeast Dairy Foods Research Center (NDFRC). It aims to foster innovation and growth among dairy entrepreneurs throughout the Northeastern United States, catering to those who utilize cow, goat, or sheep milk from within this eleven-state region.
Jenn Smith, director of Food and Agriculture Innovation at CREA, expressed excitement for the program's expansion: "We are thrilled to extend Dairy Runway to innovators across the Northeast, emphasizing the use of diverse milk sources. The USDA’s Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC) plays a vital role in supporting this initiative, strengthening the regional dairy economy and facilitating entrepreneur access to essential resources."
The upcoming seven-week virtual course is structured to guide participants through the customer discovery process while equipping them to develop a robust business model canvas. Program participants will engage in a blend of self-guided online learning and interactive Zoom classes, complemented by valuable one-on-one sessions with instructors. The course also includes insightful discussions with industry experts from leading marketing firms, successful retailers, and established food and beverage entrepreneurs.
Upon completion of the entrepreneurship course, successful candidates will advance to the Kitchen Incubator stage of the program, where they'll receive tailored support from business coaches while honing their business models. This critical phase also allows them to experiment with product formulations in Cornell’s state-of-the-art food processing facilities, ensuring they have the tools necessary for crafting a market-ready prototype.
Laura Ginsburg, the center lead for the NE-DBIC, highlighted the program's importance: "Dairy Runway serves as a catalyst for innovation within our regional dairy sector. By encouraging the participation of a wider range of producers, including those using goat and sheep milk, we're fostering a more diverse and resilient dairy economy across the Northeast."
Since its inception, Dairy Runway has seen four successful cohorts, with 32 teams having completed the entrepreneurship curriculum, and 18 of these advancing to the Kitchen Incubator. Sam Alcaine, director of NDFRC and CALS faculty advisor, noted that the program provides vital insights and resources to help entrepreneurs validate their ideas and enhance their project viability. "Participants gain access to critical research and pilot-scale resources that contribute to transforming promising concepts into tangible products, whether they employ cow, goat, or sheep milk."
Applications for the Dairy Runway program will close on September 8, 2025, at 5 p.m. ET. A select number of up to six teams will be invited to participate, paving the way for new innovations in the dairy industry. Interested entrepreneurs can find more information and register for an information session by visiting the official Dairy Runway program website at dairyinnovation.org/dairy-runway-program.
Since its launch in 2023, the Dairy Runway initiative has gained traction by collaborating with Cornell's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) and the Northeast Dairy Foods Research Center (NDFRC). It aims to foster innovation and growth among dairy entrepreneurs throughout the Northeastern United States, catering to those who utilize cow, goat, or sheep milk from within this eleven-state region.
Jenn Smith, director of Food and Agriculture Innovation at CREA, expressed excitement for the program's expansion: "We are thrilled to extend Dairy Runway to innovators across the Northeast, emphasizing the use of diverse milk sources. The USDA’s Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC) plays a vital role in supporting this initiative, strengthening the regional dairy economy and facilitating entrepreneur access to essential resources."
The upcoming seven-week virtual course is structured to guide participants through the customer discovery process while equipping them to develop a robust business model canvas. Program participants will engage in a blend of self-guided online learning and interactive Zoom classes, complemented by valuable one-on-one sessions with instructors. The course also includes insightful discussions with industry experts from leading marketing firms, successful retailers, and established food and beverage entrepreneurs.
Upon completion of the entrepreneurship course, successful candidates will advance to the Kitchen Incubator stage of the program, where they'll receive tailored support from business coaches while honing their business models. This critical phase also allows them to experiment with product formulations in Cornell’s state-of-the-art food processing facilities, ensuring they have the tools necessary for crafting a market-ready prototype.
Laura Ginsburg, the center lead for the NE-DBIC, highlighted the program's importance: "Dairy Runway serves as a catalyst for innovation within our regional dairy sector. By encouraging the participation of a wider range of producers, including those using goat and sheep milk, we're fostering a more diverse and resilient dairy economy across the Northeast."
Since its inception, Dairy Runway has seen four successful cohorts, with 32 teams having completed the entrepreneurship curriculum, and 18 of these advancing to the Kitchen Incubator. Sam Alcaine, director of NDFRC and CALS faculty advisor, noted that the program provides vital insights and resources to help entrepreneurs validate their ideas and enhance their project viability. "Participants gain access to critical research and pilot-scale resources that contribute to transforming promising concepts into tangible products, whether they employ cow, goat, or sheep milk."
Applications for the Dairy Runway program will close on September 8, 2025, at 5 p.m. ET. A select number of up to six teams will be invited to participate, paving the way for new innovations in the dairy industry. Interested entrepreneurs can find more information and register for an information session by visiting the official Dairy Runway program website at dairyinnovation.org/dairy-runway-program.
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