Applications are now OPEN for MBOLD's 2027 Bold Growth Program

MBOLD invites global protein innovators to apply for our Bold Growth mentorship

Is your protein innovation company ready to unlock your next stage of growth?

MBOLD’s Bold Growth mentorship program welcomes applications from high growth businesses located anywhere in the world that want to enter or expand in the U.S. market with their protein sustainability innovations. Bold Growth provides confidential, tailored coaching by senior leaders from Minnesota-based MBOLD coalition members and partners to help scale-up companies achieve their next level of market success. Participation is free with no equity taken. The 2027 cohort application period is October 5 - November 6, 2026.

The 9-month Bold Growth program is open to companies that:

• are solving an important protein innovation problem that addresses a clear market need, especially with plant and alternative proteins
• have annual revenue of $1 million - $50 million with strong potential for growth ($5-$50 million revenue preferred)
• want to enter or expand their presence in the U.S. market with confidential coaching from Minnesota’s corporate community

To date, Bold Growth participants have benefited from mentorship by companies including Bread and Butter Ventures, Cargill, CHS, Compeer Financial, Ecolab, General Mills, Hormel Foods, McKinsey & Co., Schwan’s Co., Scoular, SunOpta, Target, UnitedHealth Group and the University of Minnesota. 

Ashish Korde, Co-Founder at Proeon, a Bold Growth cohort company, emphasized, "MBOLD's Bold Growth program came at exactly the right time for Proeon as we planned our entry into the U.S. market. Our mentors took a genuine interest in our goals and helped shape our U.S. go-to-market strategy. What makes MBOLD unique is the access it provides to what is arguably the largest plant protein ecosystem in North America. Through it, we are already starting projects with multiple stakeholders and potential customers. MBOLD has truly helped us take BOLD steps!"

Learn more about the Bold Growth opportunity in the short video below. Apply by November 6, 2026.

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