A total of 10 international start-ups have been selected to pitch their breakthrough agri-tech solutions to leading UK retailer Tesco, at its Agri T-Jam on October 15, 2018, as part of the World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit in London.

Chosen from over 100 international submissions, the winner will gain fast-track access to Tesco’s supply chain and mentoring from the Tesco Agriculture team.

The technologies on show will include novel fertilisers, non-chemical pesticides, digital solutions such as AI and robotics for precision farming and animal health, food quality monitoring and supply chain waste reduction.

Commenting on the entries, Emmanuelle Lerges, food technical director at Tesco, said: “The calibre of entries has been fantastic, addressing challenges and opportunities across our agri-supply chain.

"It was a challenging task for our committee to select just ten finalists. Together with our supply chain partners, we’re really excited to hear more from our finalists on how they can help us deliver affordable, sustainable and healthy food for all our customers.”

The 10 finalists are: Agrotech USA (USA), ArqAqua (Spain), Azotic Technologies (Switzerland), eggXYt (Israel), Fixed Phage (UK), Fungi Alert (UK), Impact Vision (UK), Soil Steam International (Norway), Thrive Multi Visual (Netherlands) and ZELP (UK).

The 10 finalists

The 10 start-up companies will present their technologies to the panel of judges led by Tesco’s Agri-Food team: Emmanelle Lerges (Food Technical Director) and Barney Kay (Head of Agriculture), with supply chain partners Vee Gururajan (Branston), Ian Tremain (Bridgwater College) and Ash Gilman (Cranswick).

Each finalist will have seven minutes to pitch their company to the judging panel and a room full of Tesco staff and supply chain partners, agribusinesses and VC investors. The judging panel will announce the winner on the same day, who will be fast-tracked to introductions with Tesco’s supply chain partners, and benefit from mentoring from the Tesco Agriculture team.

The winner will also present their pitch again as part of the start-up Technology Showcase on Day 1 of the World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit, to its audience of 400 international agribusiness leaders and investors.