Kabocha Milk
Kabocha Milk is a New Zealand private company that produces a shelf-stable, plant-based vegetable milk from kabocha squash and sells it direct-to-consumer in Japan, Korea, and Rest of World markets, with a new kabocha-seed protein powder under development.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2020
- HeadquartersWhakatu, New Zealand
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Kabocha Milk does
Kabocha Milk Co. Limited is a New Zealand-based, privately held food and beverage company founded in 2020 in Whakatu, Hawke's Bay. It produces and sells a shelf-stable plant-based vegetable milk made from kabocha squash, marketed as a dairy-free, vegan, non-GMO beverage positioned on its Vitamin A content and antioxidant properties. Each bottle contains an average of 114g of New Zealand kabocha, sourced under an exclusive supply contract with multi-generational farming families in Hawke's Bay. The company was co-founded by a Japanese-born celebrity chef and one of New Zealand's largest kabocha growers, which is reflected in the brand's positioning around Japanese health and wellness heritage dating to 1541.
Kabocha Milk operates a direct-to-consumer go-to-market via three country-specific e-commerce storefronts: Japan (kabocha-milk.jp), Korea (danhobakmil.com), and a Rest of World site. Manufacturing is centralized in Hawke's Bay, New Zealand, under NZ GAP (GLOBALGAP Equivalent) food safety accreditation. Revenue model is one-time sales of bottled plant-milk beverage units, with no disclosed pricing, subscription tier, or enterprise contract structure.
In 2025 the company established a wholly owned venture, Kabocha Innovation, to commercialize a proprietary process for converting previously discarded kabocha squash seeds into a high-protein powder (~70% protein with all essential amino acids), developed in partnership with Callaghan Innovation's Biotechnologies Group. A first patent application has been filed for this process, with stated end-use applications in beverages, supplements, plant-based milk, meat substitutes, and protein bars. The company is led by CEO Shane Newman and "Kabochamilk Maker" Nick Siu, and has received a $200,000 seed investment from Big Idea Ventures (May 2022) and six international industry awards across 2021–2022.
Kabocha Milk firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Kabocha Milk
- Legal name
- Kabocha Milk Co. Limited
- Website
- https://kabochamilk.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2020
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Kabocha Milk is a New Zealand private company that produces a shelf-stable, plant-based vegetable milk from kabocha squash and sells it direct-to-consumer in Japan, Korea, and Rest of World markets, with a new kabocha-seed protein powder under development.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Kabocha Milk industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Plant-Based Beverages
- NAICS
- Dairy Product Manufacturing (3115)
- SIC
- Beverages (2080)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Plant-Based Milk Alternatives (Soy, Almond, Oat, Coconut, Rice, Pea) (AFAFAEAF)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Plant-Based Dairy-Alternative Powders & Concentrates (Powdered Milks, Creamers, Bases) (AFAHAJAH)
Keywords
Where Kabocha Milk is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Whakatu
- HQ country
- New Zealand
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices1 record
Markets served
Kabocha Milk business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Plant-Based Beverage Sales: Revenue generated from direct sales of Kabocha Milk plant-based beverages through e-commerce and retail channels. Products include their flagship kabocha milk beverage marketed for its health benefits including Vitamin A content, dairy-free and vegan properties.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels3 records
Kabocha Milk product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Kabocha Milk produces shelf-stable plant-based vegetable milk beverages made from New Zealand kabocha squash, marketed as a dairy-free daily health drink rich in Vitamin A. The company also develops a high-protein powder (approximately 70% protein) extracted from previously discarded kabocha squash seeds, intended for use in beverages, supplements, plant-based milk, meat substitutes, and protein bars.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Kabocha Milk A shelf-stable, high-quality plant-based vegetable milk beverage made from New Zealand kabocha squash, marketed as a daily health drink rich in Vitamin A with antioxidant properties for skin, eye health, and anti-aging benefits. Each bottle contains an average of 114g of New Zealand Kabocha and is dairy free, vegan, non-GMO, preservative free, artificial colours and flavours free, and cholesterol free.
- Kabocha Seed Protein Powder A high-protein powder (approximately 70% protein content with all essential amino acids) developed from kabocha squash seeds that were previously discarded as waste. Designed for use in beverages, supplements, plant-based milk, meat substitutes, and protein bars.
Quantifiable outcome
- 70% protein content with all essential amino acids from squash seed powder
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Kabocha Milk
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Kabocha Milk technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Kabocha Milk partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Callaghan Innovation's Biotechnologies GroupcoreKabocha Innovation, a venture established by Kabocha Milk Co. Ltd, partnered with Callaghan Innovation's Biotechnologies Group to develop a high-protein powder from kabocha squash seeds that were previously discarded as waste. The partnership leverages Callaghan's biotechnology expertise to process and analyze bioactive components for future product development. The next phase focuses on scaling commercial production and analyzing bioactive components.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Kabocha Milk competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Kabocha Milk social profiles
Digital presenceKabocha Milk compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Kabocha Milk financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Kabocha Milk leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Kabocha Milk subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Kabocha Milk funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Kabocha Milk M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Kabocha Milk
What does Kabocha Milk do?
Kabocha Milk produces shelf-stable plant-based vegetable milk beverages made from New Zealand kabocha squash, marketed as a dairy-free daily health drink rich in Vitamin A. The company also develops a high-protein powder (approximately 70% protein) extracted from previously discarded kabocha squash seeds, intended for use in beverages, supplements, plant-based milk, meat substitutes, and protein bars.
Is Kabocha Milk a public or private company?
Kabocha Milk is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Kabocha Milk founded?
Kabocha Milk was founded in 2020. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Kabocha Milk based?
Kabocha Milk is headquartered in Whakatu, New Zealand, in the Oceania region.
How does Kabocha Milk make money?
One revenue line is on record: plant-Based Beverage Sales.
Does Kabocha Milk have an API?
No public API is recorded for Kabocha Milk.
What industry is Kabocha Milk in?
Kabocha Milk's product category is Plant-Based Beverages. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAFAEAF, Plant-Based Milk Alternatives (Soy, Almond, Oat, Coconut, Rice, Pea), with a secondary code of AFAHAJAH, Plant-Based Dairy-Alternative Powders & Concentrates (Powdered Milks, Creamers, Bases). Its NAICS code is 3115 and its SIC code is 2080.