Seed and start-up companies can now make their pitches to work with Tesco and their supply chain partners by submitting applications for the third-annual Agri T-Jam competition, an event held in conjunction with the World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit.
The friendly challenge highlights breakthrough technologies and solutions to improve supply chain efficiency and sustainability. At least one start-up will be selected to be introduced to and mentored by the Tesco agriculture team and their supplier network. Previous winners include RoboScientific and ImpactVision. Entries can be submitted here through July 28.
“At Tesco, our ambition is to find new products, ideas and technologies that will help us serve our customers, colleagues and communities even better in the future,” says Natalie Smith, Head of Agriculture at Tesco. “We want to work with people who have new ideas to help enhance what we do, or how we do things.
“We can’t wait to see more exciting technologies come through the process. The finalists will have the chance to partner with our suppliers to make a positive difference to our supply chains, helping to provide, affordable, healthy, sustainable food for our customers.”
Tesco are looking for technologies that address one of the following priority areas:
- Predictive Farming
- Crop Specific Solutions, Shelf Life & Storage
- Improving Soil Health & Resilience
- Water Quality Analysis & Irrigation
- Robotics, Automation & Sensor Technology
- Protecting & Supporting Biodiversity
- Livestock: Animal Health & Welfare
- Supply Chain Efficiency & Waste Reduction
- Indoor & Vertical Farming
- Reducing Environmental Footprint & GHG Emissions
- Operating Remotely
After an early-round of judging, 10 finalists will be announced during the virtual World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit, with all finalists invited to attend the summit for valuable networking and deep market insights.
The Tesco Agri T-Jam final pitch day in October will be held virtually as the finalists present their solutions to the judging committee, Tesco colleagues and supply chain partners. A public pitch to the World Agri-Tech global network will be followed by the announcement of the winner.
“We’re delighted to continue our partnership with Tesco to offer the most exciting start-ups from our global network a chance to fast-track onto the radar of this leading retailer and its valued supply chain partners,” Abigail Ryder, Programme Director for the World Agri-Tech Innovation Series, says. “The World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit exists to create new opportunities for discovery, growth and investment – and the Tesco Agri T-Jam exemplifies this perfectly”.
