Tesco has invited agri-tech innovators from around the world to apply for the 2026 Tesco Agri-tech Challenge, formerly known as the Agri T-Jam.
In partnership with Leading Edge Only (LEO), Tesco’s competition aims to discover agri-tech solutions that can help farmers and suppliers build more resilient, sustainable and productive food supply chains.
Winners of the competition will receive support, including direct access to Tesco’s sustainable agriculture and fisheries team, alongside fast-track introductions to relevant supplier partners.
Natalie Smith, who is head of Tesco’s sustainable agriculture and fisheries team, commented: “As the biggest customer of UK agriculture, we want to do all we can to support our farmers in providing affordable, healthy and sustainable food to our customers – this includes championing the latest agri-tech innovations.
“Through the Tesco Agri-tech Challenge, we want to find practical technologies that can make a difference on farm, whether that is improving soil health, supporting animal welfare, reducing food waste or helping suppliers become more resilient.”
Categories
Tesco outlined that this year’s challenge will include two innovation pathways (categories).
The categories have been seperated based on the submission’s technology readiness level (TRL), tailored to appropriately support the winners based on their innovation’s stage of development.
The first category will be for submissions with a TRL between 4-6, with the winner of this category set to receive specialist mentoring from a key Tesco supplier, as well as help to refine their innovation within the relevant industry.
For submissions with a TRL of 7 and above, the winner of that category will be granted the opportunity to trial their technology with one of Tesco’s supply chain partners, providing “the platform for further development and growth within the designated sector(s)”.
Both winners will also be guided through the process by members of the Tesco sustainable agriculture and fisheries team.
Competition
Last year’s competition was won by ProtonDx, the company behind Dragonfly, a portable molecular diagnostic platform that can reportedly identify key infections in livestock in under 30 minutes.
Through winning the competition, the agri-tech business was able to secure fast-track introductions to Tesco’s supplier network and a trial with a supply chain partner.
Speaking ahead of this year’s challenge, the CEO at ProtonDx, Bob Enck said: “Winning the Tesco Agri-tech Challenge was a major milestone for ProtonDx.
“The fast-track access to Tesco’s supplier network and the opportunity to trial our Dragonfly platform in a real supply-chain environment helped accelerate both our technology and our commercial readiness.
“Programmes like this play a vital role in bridging the gap between innovation and on-farm impact,” Enck added.
It was announced today (Monday, May 18) that Tesco’s website is now accepting applications for this year’s challenge, with submissions allowed up until Friday, July 6.
Following the application and selection process, shortlisted start-ups will be invited to pitch their solutions at the Tesco Agri-tech Challenge Final, taking place on September 24 at Tesco’s head office in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire.
Source: agriland.co.uk
