MBOLD is pleased to announce the selection of four high-growth businesses to participate in the 2022 cohort of our “Bold Growth” entrepreneurship program.

Led by Grow North and AURI, Bold Growth provides high growth businesses with targeted support from senior leaders within and beyond MBOLD’s membership and the opportunity to become the next great Minnesota food and ag business success story. Congrats to our new cohort:

• Step One Foods: Maker of meals and snacks to support healthy cholesterol levels
• Local Crate: Provider of restaurant-quality meal kits featuring locally sourced foods
• HidrateSpark: Manufacturer of smart water bottles to advance optimal hydration
• Bizzy Coffee: Manufacturer of premium cold brew coffees

In 2021, MBOLD members Cargill, Target, Compeer Financial, Ecolab, Schwan’s Company, General Mills, McKinsey & Co., and the U of M as well as Hormel and CHS served as advisors to Bold Growth participants.

Eric Hall, CEO of So Good So You had this to say about his experience with the program last year, “We’ve had a phenomenal experience with Bold Growth. MBOLD spent a lot of time getting to know our business and what we were trying to solve for. They facilitated connectivity and engagement by the right corporate leaders – people we wouldn’t have had access to otherwise. They were incredible partners. This program has helped us take our business to a whole new level.” 

Participating companies will receive highly individualized support tailored around key growth needs and short courses with MBOLD company staff and partner experts over a 12 to 18 month period.  We are also excited to welcome Launch MN as a funder and supporter of the Bold Growth program this year.

Rod Hebrink, CEO of Compeer Financial and MBOLD’s Executive Champion for Entrepreneurship observed that, “As large businesses, we need to help small businesses scale up and thrive. That’s what Bold Growth does. Compeer is excited to be part of this program and join other Minnesota leaders in helping propel these terrific businesses to their next level of growth.”

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