Land O’Lakes is moving to the second stage of its “dairy accelerator”, which the US agri-food co-op has devised to provide support to entrepreneurs.

The Minnesota-based food cooperative launched the programme in May, when it invited applications from US firms looking to take their operations to the next level. The scheme will offer seminars on such aspects as finance, brand building, manufacturing and leadership development, while giving access to experts in the relevant fields. Applications have now been approved, and selections will be announced around mid-August, a Land O’Lakes spokesperson said today (July 17). 

Companies looking to join the programme had to meet the criteria of sales of about US$200,000 over the last 12 months and use dairy as a primary ingredient, including yogurt, cheese, whey or other milk-based proteins or ingredients, Land O’Lakes said in May. No equity is required from participants for the three-month scheme, which is due to start in September.