MBOLD will coordinate with successful applicants to understand your aspirations and needs, and then will provide you with:

• A handpicked team of 3–4 industry mentors with the expertise you most need to unlock your growth in the U.S. market
• Confidential monthly calls with your mentors
• A customized trip to Minneapolis–Saint Paul in Spring/Summer 2025 for in-person relationship building with Minnesota’s globally leading business community, state and local government, agricultural leaders, and other stakeholders of interest given the nature and growth stage of your business 
• Our partner Buhler Group also has pilot plants around the globe that conduct IP-protected R&D on plant and alternative proteins. Successful applicants will be eligible for privileged access to Buhler pilot facilities, including dedicated food-processing experts to help scale, develop or extend your process needs, pending confirmation with Buhler of a fit between your needs and their capabilities. Learn more about Buhler’s pilot plant capabilities.
• Additional educational opportunities that can be designed to suit particular needs.

Please note that participation for selected companies is free and no equity is taken. The program will run from approximately February through October 2025. 

To date, Bold Growth mentors have included leaders from Cargill, General Mills, Target, CHS, Compeer Financial, Ecolab, Hormel Foods, McKinsey & Co., Schwan’s Co., Bread and Butter Ventures, SunOpta, United Health Group and the University of Minnesota.  We have provided confidential, tailored mentoring to small business on topics ranging from new product development to navigating the U.S. regulatory environment, national distribution through refrigerated and frozen food channels, brand development, manufacturing scale-up and marketing strategy.

Companies selected for the program choose how you want to focus your Bold Growth experience given your business’ needs and aspirations.

The ideal candidate for Bold Growth International:

• Is solving an important protein innovation problem that addresses a clear business need
• Wants to launch or expand to the US market with advice from major companies across the value chain based here in Minnesota
• Has annual revenue $5 million - $50 million USD and strong potential for growth
• Is committed to making the most of this opportunity to benefit your company

We will consider businesses that address a wide range of protein sustainability product and process innovations. We particularly welcome those that are scaling up products or technologies in the following areas (as MBOLD members and partners are, ourselves, collaborating to drive innovation for these high priority protein ingredients):

• Plant proteins including oats, dry beans and chickpeas
• Mycoproteins
• Innovative ingredients for inclusion in animal feed including winter camelina and industrial hemp, new opportunities for alfalfa, and the production and use of insects in feed rations

Past Bold Growth - Minnesota Participants

Bold Growth – Minnesota is managed by MBOLD in collaboration with Naturally Minnesota and AURI with support from MN DEED and MBOLD members.