DFA Accelerator Program
Funding Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Grant Type
foundation
Overview
DFA Accelerator Program
Overview: An immersive program designed to grow ag-tech startup businesses through mentoring and educational programming. DFA has been collaborating with startups in the dairy space since 2017.
Mission: To help dairy startups grow their businesses and develop innovative technologies, tools, and processes that benefit the dairy industry and DFA's farmer-owners.
- Ag-tech applications in the dairy industry
- Agricultural technology startups
- Innovation and business development support
Program Focus
- Mentoring from DFA professionals
- Educational programming
- Business growth support
- Ongoing partnerships often extending beyond the program period
- Access to DFA's network of 9,500 farmer-owners
What DFA Provides
- United States (DFA-based)
Geographic Scope
Important Status Note
The application period for 2025 has closed. The program is accepting inquiries for future cohorts.- Companies with ag-tech applications in the dairy industry
- Early-stage and growth-stage startups
Eligibility
- Rogue Cattle Co. (methane monitoring)
- Zero Tolerance (electrical issue solutions)
- Leaftech Ag (crop scanning technology)
- Bankbarn (agricultural lending platform)
- Metha.ai (methane emission reduction)
- OptaHaul (route optimization)
- SomaDetect (milk quality measurement)
- HerdDogg (animal health monitoring)
- And many others in dairy innovation
Recent Participants (2017-2023)
Program has supported 23+ startups including:Contact Information
Email: colab@dfamilk.comHow to Apply
Application Process
Current Status: The application period for 2025 has closed.
How to Inquire:
1. Email colab@dfamilk.com to express interest
2. Ask about upcoming application periods and program opportunities
3. Inquire about timeline for next cohort
What to Include in Inquiry:
Note: Detailed application requirements, specific forms, and narrative prompts are not provided. Applicants should contact DFA directly at colab@dfamilk.com for complete application instructions and timeline for future program cycles.
What Dfacares Foundation actually gave
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, 2024
- Grants in 2024
- 4
- Total given
- $36K
- Median grant
- $10K
- Range
- $6,000–$10K
- By dollars: Minnesota 56%, Iowa 28%, District of Columbia 17%. Top recipient cities: St Michael, MN; Roseville, MN; Le Mars, IA.
Example grants
Legacy 2 Inspire · St Michael, MN
Grant making
$10K
Every Meal · Roseville, MN
Grant making
$10K
Le Mars Area Child Care Center Inc · Le Mars, IA
Grant making
$10K
American Red Cross · Washingtong, DC
Grant making
$6,000
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