MBOLD announces 2026 Bold Growth companies

High growth emerging businesses are key drivers of innovation in the protein sector and we’re committed to helping them scale up successfully through our Bold Growth mentorship initiative. Bold Growth helps start-ups scale up through one-on-one, tailored mentorship from MBOLD’s deep bench of corporate executives and partners.

This year, we invited applications from protein businesses located anywhere in the U.S. and around the world that are poised to enter or expand in the U.S. market.  

Meet the new Bold Growth protein innovation cohort:

• Bettani Farms, headquartered in California, is on a mission to transform the cheese industry with its proprietary CaseedTM protein ingredient, which enables a new class of protein-rich, dairy-free cheeses that are creamy, melty, and stretchy.
• Proeon, based in the Netherlands and India, produces next generation plant protein ingredients with superior taste, functional and nutritional profile from sources such as peanuts and mung beans using a proprietary, water-based extraction process.
• NuCicer, headquartered in California, brings together the power of wild diversity with advanced genomic breeding to unlock the next generation of simply processed, protein and fiber ingredients with their non-GMO chickpea varieties that have up to 75% more protein, shorter growing seasons, and improved agronomics.

Bold Growth is managed by AURI, Naturally Minnesota and MBOLD staff and is supported by MBOLD members and Builders Vision Philanthropy. Congratulations to Bettani Farms, NuCicer and Proeon. We look forward to working with you!

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