Tesco has opened applications for its 2026 Agri-tech Challenge, as the supermarket looks to ramp up innovation within British farming.
Run in partnership with Leading Edge Only, the competition invites agri-tech businesses from around the world to submit technologies designed to tackle some of the food industry’s biggest challenges, such as animal welfare, soil health, emissions reduction, biodiversity, automation and food waste.
This year, the initiative, previously known as the Agri T-Jam, has been updated with a new two-pathway structure aimed at supporting both early-stage innovations and technologies ready for commercial deployment.
It is understood one winner in the earlier-stage category, covering technologies at TRL 4-6, will receive mentoring from a key Tesco supplier to help refine and develop their solution.
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A second winner in the TRL 7-plus category will secure the opportunity to trial their technology with one of Tesco’s supply chain partners.
Both successful applicants will also receive support and feedback from Tesco’s Sustainable Agriculture and Fisheries team, alongside introductions to relevant suppliers.
Last year’s competition was won by ProtonDx for its portable livestock diagnostic platform, Dragonfly, which can identify infections in under 30 minutes.
Tesco head of sustainable agriculture and fisheries Natalie Smith said the retailer wanted to help farmers adapt to growing pressures across the food system.
“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.”
Smith added that Tesco was looking for “practical technologies” capable of delivering real-world impact across areas such as animal welfare, soil health and food waste reduction.
The competition enters its ninth year in 2026, reflecting growing retailer interest in agricultural technology as climate, labour and cost pressures intensify across farming supply chains.
Leading Edge Only CEO Jayden Halliday added that the new structure would allow Tesco and suppliers to engage more effectively with innovations at different stages of maturity.
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