Chobani, maker of Australia’s fastest-growing yogurt brand and part of a leading yogurt brand in the United States, recently announced the launch of an Australian edition of its Chobani Food Incubator – originally launched in the United States to give food start-ups the resources they need to challenge big food companies and give more people access to natural, affordable food.
The company’s Founder and CEO, Hamdi Ulukaya, unveiled the program today at Monash University’s newly launched, $3 million state-of-the-art incubation facility, located at the Food Innovation Centre (FIC).
Since launching last year in the US, the Chobani Food Incubator program has helped entrepreneurs with big hearts and ideas break into the food industry. The program is targeted at start-ups who share Chobani’s vision for making delicious, nutritious, natural and accessible food available to more people.
To launch the Australian segment of this program, Chobani is partnering with FIC to develop the leading incubator program in Australia.
What is The Chobani Food Incubator out to achieve?
The Chobani Food Incubator will bring together the FIC’s facilities to support new product development, innovation, and quality with Chobani’s expertise in sales, marketing and customer engagement – creating the most holistic incubator program in the country. The program aims to unearth and nurture innovative food start-ups who will challenge the system and shape the future of the Australian food industry.
Chobani Founder and CEO, Hamdi Ulukaya, said: “There’s never been a better time to be a food entrepreneur – in Australia or around the world. Natural food start-ups with the right mindset can change categories, challenge the big guys and make a big difference in their communities. I love what’s happening with food start-ups here in Australia and want to share what we’ve learned when it comes to scaling and fighting convention, like we’ve done with our other incubator programs. This is a no-strings-attached, grant-based program to support entrepreneurs so we can further fuel the food revolution.”
Chobani Australia Managing Director, Peter Meek, said: “We know there are great products across Australia that aren’t being given the opportunity to breakthrough. Giving back and helping the next generation of food makers is something Chobani has been committed to doing in each of the communities and countries with which we’re involved. The FIC’s world-class facilities – combined with Chobani’s team of food and marketing experts – will enable us to support passionate food innovators who can follow our example and disrupt the status quo.”
How can you enter this program?
Entries will open in October with the inaugural class running from February to April 2018. The program will be based out of Chobani’s state-of-the-art Dandenong manufacturing facility and Monash’s Food Innovation Centre.
The program specifically includes:
- 4-month incubator from February to April 2018, online and on-site
- 1-2 team members participating on-site with key Chobani team members
- Monthly programs at Chobani locations, including manufacturing facilities and Monash’s Food Innovation Centre
- Equity free capital: $10,000 grant to help grow your business
- Travel, hotel and other expenses covered
- Access to Chobani teams, top executives, and experts
For more information, interested applicants should head here.
