Tesco has launched the 2026 edition of its Agri-tech Challenge, aiming to accelerate the deployment of technologies that can help “future-proof” British farming against environmental, economic and operational pressures.
The initiative, run in partnership with innovation marketplace Leading Edge Only (LEO), opens applications to agtech start-ups globally, with a renewed focus on moving promising solutions more quickly from development into real-world use across Tesco’s supply network.
From scouting innovation to scaling real-world impact
Now in its ninth year, the competition – previously known as the Agri T-Jam – has evolved into a more structured platform designed to connect innovators directly with commercial opportunities.
Winning start-ups will gain access to Tesco’s Sustainable Agriculture and Fisheries team, alongside fast-tracked introductions to suppliers and potential trial partners. The goal is to bridge one of the sector’s biggest gaps: translating promising technologies into deployable solutions that deliver measurable on-farm impact.
“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,” said Natalie Smith, head of sustainable agriculture and fisheries at Tesco. “This includes championing the latest agri-tech innovations.”
The retailer is seeking solutions across a wide spectrum of challenges, including animal health and welfare, emissions reduction, soil health, biodiversity, automation, crop losses and food waste.
A two-pathway model reflects a maturing agtech pipeline
A key shift in the 2026 programme is the introduction of a dual-track support model based on technology readiness level (TRL), reflecting the increasing diversity and maturity of agtech innovation.
- TRL 4–6 (mid-stage technologies): Winners will receive mentoring from a Tesco supplier to refine their solution and align it with industry needs.
- TRL 7+ (market-ready technologies): Winners will have the opportunity to trial their technology within Tesco’s supply chain, alongside direct feedback from the retailer’s sustainability team.
All shortlisted start-ups will benefit from feedback, industry insight and networking opportunities with Tesco and its supplier network.
Jayden Halliday, CEO of Leading Edge Only, said the new structure is designed to better match support to the needs of different innovators. “The two-pathway model reflects the breadth of innovation we are now seeing across the agri-tech sector,” he said.
“By tailoring support to the maturity of each technology, the Challenge can help engage earlier and more effectively with solutions that strengthen resilience across the food system.”
ProtonDx: from Challenge winner to commercial traction
The impact of the programme is illustrated by 2025 winner ProtonDx, which secured industry exposure and trial opportunities through the competition.
The UK-based start-up has developed Dragonfly, a portable molecular diagnostic platform capable of detecting livestock infections in under 30 minutes. Originally designed for human health applications, the technology was adapted for on-farm use to address the growing need for rapid disease detection in livestock systems.
As previously reported by AgTechNavigator, ProtonDx’s pivot into agriculture reflects a broader trend of cross-sector innovation, with diagnostic technologies increasingly being deployed to improve animal health, productivity and antimicrobial stewardship.
“Winning the Tesco Agri-tech Challenge was a major milestone,” said ProtonDx CEO Bob Enck. “The fast-track access to Tesco’s supplier network and the opportunity to trial our platform in a real supply-chain environment helped accelerate both our technology and our commercial readiness.”
The company’s trajectory highlights the Challenge’s role not just as a scouting mechanism, but as a commercialisation pathway for technologies that might otherwise struggle to gain traction in fragmented agricultural markets.
Retailers step deeper into the innovation ecosystem
Tesco’s continued investment in the Agri-tech Challenge signals a broader shift in how large retailers are engaging with agricultural innovation.
Rather than acting solely as downstream buyers, retailers are increasingly positioning themselves as active enablers of technology adoption, using their scale and supply chain influence to de-risk innovation for farmers and suppliers.
This approach is particularly significant in the current environment, where agriculture faces a convergence of pressures – from climate targets and regulatory changes to input cost volatility and evolving consumer expectations.
By connecting start-ups directly with commercial partners, Tesco is aiming to accelerate solutions that can improve both resilience and sustainability, while maintaining productivity across its supplier base.
Applications now open
Applications for the 2026 Tesco Agri-tech Challenge are open until 3 July 2026, with shortlisted start-ups invited to pitch at the final in September at Tesco’s Welwyn Garden City headquarters.
