NatureMetrics has won the 2023 Tesco Agri T-Jam Competition, securing fast-track introductions to the Tesco supplier network and a trial with one of the retailer’s supply chain partners.
Now in its sixth year, the Tesco Agri T-Jam pitching event, run in partnership with Leading Edge Only, saw ten different agri start-ups pitch to a panel of Tesco sustainable agriculture and commercial experts, Tesco suppliers, and stakeholders to find the most promising agriculture innovation.
This year, the event was dominated by innovations that can contribute to Tesco’s aim of building more sustainable supply chains, incorporating ideas with solutions to support on-farm measurement and data analytics, and supporting farmers in making informed choices around complex sustainability issues.
NatureMetrics, represented at the pitch event by its Head of Agriculture, Tom Ludwig, won the competition for its innovative solution, which measures biodiversity using eDNA analysis of soil, water, and insects. The innovation converts this complex data into simple metrics, which can be viewed through its Nature Intelligence Platform, allowing users to report on biodiversity improvement in their supply chain comprehensively.
Commenting on the competition this year, Natalie Smith, Head of Sustainable Agriculture at Tesco, said the supermarket was excited to welcome NatureMetrics to its network and to offer them the opportunity to work with its suppliers and experience direct feedback and mentoring from our Sustainable Agriculture team. Tom Ludwig demonstrated his commitment to biodiversity in a solid field and impressed the judging panel.
“This competition is designed to help us find innovators who can help us build long-term resilience within our supply base, addressing key sustainability challenges to continue our progress towards our stretching climate and biodiversity targets. I want to thank all of our finalists for participating. I’m sure there will be more opportunities for these innovators to work with Tesco suppliers,” said Smith.
Ludwig will also receive a one-year complimentary membership to Agri-TechE and Agri-EPI Centre. He will have the opportunity to present on stage at the World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit in London on 26-27 September to an audience of over 900 international senior ag-tech decision-makers and innovators.
Alongside Tom Ludwig, the other finalists were Viridian (Angus Middleton), Flexifarm (Kevin Gooding), Map of Ag (Joe Towers), Bloomfield (Mark DeSantis), Laguzze (Laurent Vigouelle), Yard Stick PBC (Chris Tolles), Snapp Laab (Donat Posta), Protiomix Ltd (Stephan Jaffe), and Sunamp (Ana Amaral).
Scott Sharp, founder and CEO of Leading Edge Only, said he was delighted for Tom and the short-listed applicants.
“This is a life-changing opportunity, and it is fascinating to see the talent level across start-ups in the agri-tech space. We are confident that we will continue to hear these names as they each make their stamp within the landscape over the next few years,” said Sharp.
