The Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI) recently began working on a project to help protein businesses expand or relocate to Minnesota. Earlier this summer MBOLD and AURI launched the Protein Navigator, an innovative interface that supports companies looking to Minnesota to create or expand their protein-focused businesses. Startups and established companies can contact the Protein Navigator team for information and resources via MBOLD’s website: www.mbold.org/protein-navigator.
As a member of MBOLD, a coalition of some of the world’s foremost food and agriculture companies, research institutions, and nonprofit organizations working on solutions to the biggest challenges facing our food system, AURI will act as the point of entry for inquiries to the Protein Navigator. Jason Robinson, AURI’s business development director for food, says the tool provides insight into Minnesota’s unique protein and agricultural sectors, including research and technology capabilities. AURI staff may facilitate strategic connections to potential partners when synergies exist to help scale a protein innovation.
Another goal is to provide valuable market insights to help companies learn more about the state’s business environment as it relates to the protein sector. Guidance is also available from MBOLD’s home organization, GREATER MSP, for exploring potential sites for headquarters and manufacturing facilities, permitting and zoning, and business development resources.
An example of a business leveraging Minnesota’s resources is a United Kingdom-based company focused on Rubisco protein. Rubisco—short for ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase—is the most abundant protein on Earth and the key enzyme plants use to capture carbon dioxide during photosynthesis. Found in the leaves of crops like sugar beets, alfalfa, and other green biomass, it’s rich in high-quality, digestible, and functional protein. Extracting Rubisco protein from leafy green biomass that is typically incorporated back into the field as a source of organic matter holds untapped potential as a new protein source.
AURI is supporting the company in developing a technology that can add value to sugar beet leaves. According to Robinson, the startup is interested in Minnesota due to the high acreage of sugar beets produced here, but needs support navigating opportunities for doing business in the state. AURI is helping the organization make connections and also helping them navigate Minnesota’s agricultural feedstocks, protein sector, and business climate.
The Protein Navigator is a component of MBOLD’s broader initiative to drive innovation in protein sustainability, including both traditional proteins and plant-based options.
Globally, protein demand is expected to rise by 50% by 2050. Worldwide, the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization projects that rising incomes will continue to boost demand for protein-rich foods and feeds—especially in low- and middle-income countries, where the share of total calorie intake from traditional animal protein is expected to increase by 25% over the next decade. According to 2024 research by Cargill, 61 percent of Americans reported eating more protein last year.
To meet this growing demand within planetary boundaries, producers and the whole food and feed value chain will need to ramp up production of a wide range of protein options in efficient and environmentally sustainable ways. The Protein Navigator can bring multiple benefits via relationships with Minnesota’s protein sector to help understand and grow the next innovations for the future, Robinson says.
“One of the challenges shared by entities based outside of the United States is that it can be hard to navigate our rich and robust protein ecosystem. The Protein Navigator creates a single point of entry to help businesses from anywhere in the world navigate the ecosystem here and get connected to the right people,” Robinson notes.
MBOLD is particularly focused on climate change and the growing demand for food. Developing and advancing innovations around protein sustainability is a key pillar for the coalition.
As JoAnne Berkenkamp, MBOLD’s managing director, explains: “Minnesota’s strong animal-based and plant-based protein sectors, coupled with its transportation, processing, and research capabilities, offer significant opportunities for companies in the protein industry. We are excited to welcome a global array of companies, institutions into our ecosystem and to partner with innovators from around the world.” You can learn more about MBOLD’s protein initiative, which is co-led by AURI, at www.mbold.org/protein-sustainability.
Interested businesses can fill out the Protein Navigator
intake form at the following website to get started:
auri.org/mboldproteininnovationform/ or scan the QR code.