Tesco announced this week that ProtonDx has won its 2025 Tesco Agri T-Jam, an annual competition for breakthrough ideas related to transforming farming and the food industry.
ProtonDx, which originated at Imperial College London, develops cutting-edge diagnostic tests for a variety of human and animal health conditions. The win secures them fast-track introductions to Tesco’s supplier network, as well as a trial with one of its supply chain partners.
Specifically, the Tesco Agri T-Jam winner’s Dragonfly product is a portable, molecular, diagnostic platform that identifies key infections in livestock herds in under 30 minutes. Allowing for rapid, on-site testing, Dragonfly eliminates the weeks-long wait for external lab results and it enables immediate treatment decisions, particularly for PRRSV and Swine Influenza.
Natalie Smith, head of sustainable agriculture & fisheries at Tesco, commented: “Agri T-Jam is an established platform for connecting innovators with Tesco’s supply chain, and every year we see the quality of entries rise.
“The 2025 finalists presented a range of exciting ideas, each with real potential to drive progress in sustainable agriculture. ProtonDx particularly impressed us with their revolutionary technology that will play a crucial role in the future of herd health.”
Bob Enck, CEO at ProtonDx, remarked: “It has been a rewarding experience to have participated in Tesco’s Agri T-Jam competition as we’ve been impressed with the thoughtful process and professionalism of all involved.
“Thank you for including ProtonDx in this year’s event. Naturally, we are thrilled to have been selected as the winner as we look forward to working with Tesco and one or more of your suppliers to roll-out our technology.”
He added: “We look forward to playing our part to help the industry use vaccines or antimicrobials in a more effective and precise way, promoting animal welfare, reducing mortality and antibiotic use, thus reducing production costs, and providing great quality products to Tesco customers.”
The Tesco Agri T-Jam is run association with innovation company Leading Edge Only (LEO), and it brings together start-ups and entrepreneurs with Tesco’s experts to explore solutions that can support net zero ambitions, protect biodiversity, and enhance animal health and welfare.
ProtonDx was one of 10 finalists selected from a comprehensive list of global entrants, following the launch of the programme in May. Each organisation was invited to pitch their innovation to an audience of Tesco commercial and sustainability specialists, supply chain partners, and industry stakeholders.
As well as a trial with one of Tesco’s supply chain partners, ProtonDx will receive mentoring from the Tesco sustainable agriculture & fisheries team, membership of Agri-TechE, and a speaking slot at the REAP conference later this year.
Jayden Halliday, CEO at LEO, added: “The calibre of this year’s applications was outstanding, and all of our finalists should be proud of what they’ve achieved.”
The Tesco Agri T-Jam finalists
The other nine finalists in their own words…
AC Biode is a research focused clean-tech start-up headquartered in Luxembourg. The company offers ground-breaking solutions in waste, water and energy. For companies struggling to recycle their waste, AC Biode’s Plastalyst recycles organic waste and plastic waste into chemicals such as monomers, hydrogen, carbon monoxide and methanol. Uniquely, the process is below 200°C, produces no CO2 and only uses water as a solvent.
BioConsortia pioneers agricultural biologicals by using microbial gene editing. Their products enhance natural microbial traits for nitrogen fixation and biocontrol. This creates more effective and consistent solutions for sustainable agriculture. BioConsortia’s Always-N technology uses rugged, natural microbes to fix nitrogen. This reduces the need for synthetic fertilisers. The product is a proven, scalable solution for farmers worldwide.
BioScout provides farmers with a real-time, automated disease surveillance system. Their sensor units use AI and robotics to detect airborne pathogens up to two weeks before crop symptoms appear. This allows farmers to make proactive decisions, leading to more sustainable practices and reduced costs. BioScout offers an automated, real-time disease surveillance system for agriculture. Using robotic microscopy and machine learning, it detects airborne pathogens up to two weeks before they are visible on crops. This allows farmers to proactively manage disease, reducing chemical use and improving crop yield.
CroBio tackles agricultural drought using next-generation microbial solutions. Their technology modifies root-associated bacteria to create a sponge-like material around plant roots. This innovation dramatically improves soil moisture retention and boosts crop resilience. CroBio is a soil regeneration company focused on increasing agriculture’s resilience to drought. They are developing root-associated microbes to produce a sponge-like biomaterial around plant roots, increasing soil water retention, nutrient capture and increasing soil health.
NanOlife is a pioneer in safe, sustainable nanotechnology solutions. They develop eco-friendly products for human health, animal care, and agriculture using green-synthesised silver and gold particles. The company’s innovative alternatives to chemicals and antibiotics are backed by key regulatory approvals. AgroVet Green Nanotech harnesses silver nano- and micro-particles to protect crops, enhance animal health, and provide sustainable disinfection solutions, reducing chemical and antibiotic reliance across the supply chain.
Redhill Scientific develops and manufactures hardware for fertiliser production, sterilization, and environmental remediation. Redhill’s technology uses a patented low-temperature plasma process, often called “plasma-activated water.” Redhill Scientific’s devices create a non-toxic sterilising mist from just air, water, and electricity. This safe, all-natural mist is ideal for sustainable facilities. The byproducts are simple water vapor and non- toxic salts.
Revolutionary Concepts develops new physical products and associated intellectual property, with a focus on improving efficiency. Its innovation is an extremely efficient oil free air compressor. (ISO-Air Compressor).
Sunamp manufactures space-saving heat batteries using Phase Change Material technology. These solutions make buildings more energy-efficient and sustainable. The company’s mission is to help decarbonise heat and combat climate change. Reducing farm food waste by keeping storage temperatures stable with phase change materials, cutting post-harvest losses and carbon emissions.
ZealaFoam is a New Zealand company that develops biobased foams. Founded in 2024, it commercialises a PLA foam technology developed by local research institutes. While selling biobased foam beads, the company is now expanding into moulded products like fish boxes and packaging. Zealafoam is a 100% biobased alternative to polystyrene, that can match the performance in key areas such as insulation and impact resistance but without the environmental issues.
[image credit: Green Retail World]
