I help dairy companies, ingredient suppliers, and early-stage food founders solve processing and formulation problems. From concept to co-manufacturer.
Applied Research = Smart Problem-Solving with Purpose
Instead of trial-and-error, I use proven methods to solve problems efficiently. This means fewer iterations, faster results, and solutions that work at scale.
Example: A startup R&D manager told me his approach was "turning over 100 rocks until we find the right one." That's essentially a random process. Applied research uses scientific principles to eliminate 80+ of those rocks before you start testing, making the process faster and more predictable. More importantly, those remaining 20 rocks get checked much more quickly and thoroughly because I can design experiments that answer multiple questions at once, not just "does this work?" This allows me to problem-solve for the 2-3 steps ahead, not just the current task.
What Makes My Approach Different
Speed + Strategic Thinking: I deliver rigorous analysis in commercial timelines while solving for multiple steps ahead.
Bringing Innovation: I gather the best ideas and have the experience to use them in the real world, turning cutting-edge research into profitable products.
Efficient Problem-Solving: I focus on what actually works rather than what sounds impressive, eliminating wasted effort and resources.
What I Actually Do for Clients
Analyze Problems and Implement Solutions
Identify underlying causes that solve multiple problems simultaneously and prevent future issues
Identify the most efficient path to solutions
Evaluate and derisk new technologies when breakthrough innovation is needed
Find the Best Solutions
Find the best solutions from academia and industry
Apply proven approaches from other fields to your specific situation
Create competitive advantages through better execution
Strategic Execution
Solve immediate problems while building capabilities for future challenges
Design approaches that scale from lab to production
Anticipate and prevent downstream issues
Types of Problems I Tackle
Ingredient Functionality
Eliminate costly reformulation cycles by making smarter ingredient decisions up front
Solve formulation problems that have stumped other product developers using systematic frameworks
Create competitive advantages through ingredient strategies that competitors can't easily copy
→ Typical engagement: 2-8 weeks
AI Workflow for Science
Accelerate research timelines and reduce development costs through AI workflow integration
Catch up to competitors who are already using modern R&D approaches
Teach your team these methods, so you only need me once
→ Training + implementation: 2-6 weeks
Academic Industry Partnerships
Connect your challenges with cutting-edge research happening in universities
Get access to breakthrough innovations before your competitors do
Turn academic discoveries into profitable products without building internal research capacity
→ Project-based: 3-12 Months
What You Get
Immediate: Clear understanding of your challenge and efficient approach to solving it.
The result: You solve your immediate challenge while building smarter approaches for future innovation.
Who is David Goulder?
With 11+ years working in the food industry. I have conducted research in academia and industry and launched several products. I have worked for the biggest food companies (Nestlé, Abbott Nutrition) and Bay Area startups. I have hands-on experience with almost every role in the food industry.
My technical focus is dairy processing and protein systems: milk protein concentrates, membrane filtration (ultrafiltration and diafiltration), protein functionality, texture and rheology, and the formulation and scale-up problems that come with them
“David is a knowledgeable dairy expert. He helped my business explore and design a custom UF/DF process for our high-protein beverage, at the very beginning. I'd recommend that founders and entrepreneurs reach out to him if they're looking for someone to help them work through technical tradeoffs as they start or grow their businesses.” - Naveen Chandramohan, CEO, Carot Labs