Scaling Small Business Success in Protein Innovation

Bold Growth Program

MBOLD”s "Bold Growth” mentorship program helps small businesses that are innovating in the protein space scale up with coaching from senior leaders from MBOLD member companies and corporate partners. We help start-up and scale-up businesses achieve their potential through tailored, confidential mentoring by food and agriculture executives.

The 9-month Bold Growth program is open to companies anywhere in the world that:

are solving an important protein innovation problem that addresses a clear business need
have annual revenue up to $50 million and strong growth potential
want to enter or expand their presence in the U.S. market

MBOLD provides selected companies with:

a handpicked team of 2-3 industry mentors withthe expertise most needed to unlock their growth, through confidential ongoing mentorship calls
a customized trip to Minneapolis–Saint Paul withother cohort members
free participation with no equity taken

To date, Bold Growth mentors have included leaders from Bread and Butter Ventures, Cargill, CHS, Compeer Financial, Ecolab, General Mills, Hormel Foods, McKinsey & Co., NielsenIQ, PURIS, Schwan’s Co., SunOpta, Target, United Health Group and the University of Minnesota. We have provided confidential, tailored mentoring to small businesses 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, among others.

View our video for more information about Bold Growth opportunity. Our next application process will likely occur in fall 2026.