Galasys was co-founded in fall 2023 by Jarryd Featherman, research specialist and serial entrepreneur in the Department of Chemical Engineering; George W. Huber, the Richard L. Antoine Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering; and Scott Rankin, professor and chair of the Department of Food Science. It arose from a nine-year collaborative cross-campus research project funded by USDA, National Dairy Council, Center for Dairy Research, Dairy Innovation Hub, Dairy Management Inc., Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF), and other sources. Entrepreneurial support was provided through campus and Wisconsin innovation ecosystems, including the Technology Entrepreneurship Office’s Early Entrepreneur-in-Residence program, D2P, Center for Technology Commercialization, gener8tor, and Small Business Development Center.
The manufacturing technology developed by Galasys, which has been patented through WARF, involves converting a dairy food processing byproduct into tagatose, a natural, low-calorie sweetener. As shared by the Galasys team, tagatose has 63% fewer calories and a 95% lower glycemic index than table sugar, while delivering 92% of the sweetness. It also offers anti-cariogenic benefits (helps prevent tooth decay) and prebiotic effects that support gut and immune health. This provides the dairy industry with a high-value revenue stream and adds a new sustainable solution for dairy waste disposal while addressing food industry gaps. More than other currently-available sugar alternatives, tagatose tastes and functions like real sugar, giving food companies a better option to create reduced-sugar products.
The WI Governor’s Business Plan Contest is produced by the Wisconsin Technology Council and a growing list of partners, led by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. It engages contestants in a five-month process that includes the opportunity to work with mentors and receive feedback from judges.
The 2025 competition began in January with 156 entries in four categories: Advanced Manufacturing, Business Services, Information Technology, and Life Sciences. Through various rounds in the competition, the top 13 business plans were announced in May. These finalists pitched their businesses at the Wisconsin Entrepreneurs’ Conference on June 4. At the conference, Featherman gave the winning presentation for the Galasys team.
Since the contest’s inception, 4,813 businesses have applied to compete in the statewide contest.
