Citing a rapidly growing demand for protein products, a Minnesota-based coalition announced Tuesday that it will pursue a three-part strategy to expand Minnesota’s private sector role in creating and producing protein products.

The effort is being launched by MBOLD, which is an alliance of companies and nonprofit organizations focused on taking bold approaches to challenges in Minnesota’s food and agriculture sectors. MBOLD receives staff support from Greater MSP, an economic development organization that’s based in downtown St. Paul.

The new initiative is called Protein Catalyst.

At the core of the effort is what the coalition terms “pre-competitive research and development and public commons research.” Coalition members are expected to conduct research and then share it with others “to fuel innovation for animal agriculture and drive greater market traction for plant-based proteins,” the MBOLD coalition said in a news release.

MBOLD reported that the Protein Catalyst initiative will include General Mills, Cargill, Target, Schwan’s Co., Compeer Financial, the University of Minnesota, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, Naturally Minnesota, McKinsey & Co., SunOpta, Hormel Foods, Buhler Group, Northarvest Bean Growers Association, the Saskatchewan Food Industry Development Centre, NutriQuest, Ralco, CSA Nutrition, and the Consulate General of Canada.

While the coalition is Minnesota-based, it does include participation from businesses and organizations located in neighboring states and Canada.

The second element of the Protein Catalyst is what is dubbed the Bold Growth mentorship program. The aim is to “help high-potential protein innovation companies scale-up through in-depth, tailored corporate mentorship,” according to the MBOLD coalition release.

Protein Navigator is the name of the third part of the strategy. “MBOLD’s Protein Navigator will help protein-focused companies from around the United States and the world get to know Minnesota’s ecosystem through personalized support—including tailored market insights, strategic connections, and expert guidance,” MBOLD’s coalition said in the release.

“At MBOLD, we know innovation isn’t born from comfort. It’s rooted in courage and creativity,” JoAnne Berkenkamp, MBOLD’s managing director, said in a written statement. “We’re launching the MBOLD Protein Catalyst to take on one of the biggest challenges our food system is facing with the aim of collaborating across the value chain to deliver protein solutions that work for farmers, consumers, businesses, and the planet.”

The coalition indicated that “global protein demand” is expected to increase by up to 50% by 2050.

This week, MBOLD is co-hosting the Bridge2Food North America summit, a plant and alternative protein event, from Tuesday through Thursday at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis.