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Chosen from over 140 international submissions, eniferBio wins fast-track introduction to Tesco’s supply chain and mentoring from the Tesco Agriculture team.
Finnish agtech start-up eniferBio has won the opportunity to work with the UK’s leading retailer, Tesco, and its supply chain partners, after winning the 5th edition of the Tesco Agri T-Jam pitching event run in partnership with the World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit.
The innovator is developing a mycoprotein feed suitable for aquaculture, poultry and pig supply chains that is made from renewable raw materials and will offer a sustainable high-protein alternative to soy protein concentrate.
Commenting on this year’s competition focus, Natalie Smith, Head of Agriculture at Tesco said: “I am really proud of the role the Tesco Agri T-Jam plays in offering exciting agri-tech innovators from around the world the opportunity to work with us and our key supply chain partners to improve and continue to progress sustainable supply chains.”
Alongside Natalie Smith, the Tesco Agri T Jam judging panel included Richard Wood (Meat, Fish & Poultry Category Director) and Tom Mackintosh (Produce Category Director) as well as David Ross of Agri-EPI Centre and key supply chain partner representatives David Moore of DPS, and Dale Hill of Labeyrie Fine Foods.
After an in-depth review and judging process with Tesco’s agriculture team and their supplier R&D committee, Natalie Smith revealed the winner at the World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit on Tuesday September 20.
Commenting on the winning choice, Smith said: “Chosen unanimously by the judging panel, eniferBio have created a new high protein product to compete in the protein feed market. Given Tesco’s ambitious sustainability commitments around sourcing deforestation and conversion-free soy by 2025, the potential of sustainable soy and soy alternatives are of particular interest to us and our suppliers especially in the pig, poultry and aquaculture sectors. We look forward to working with eniferBio and understanding how their product can help us to meet our long-term sustainability ambitions.”
Responding to the win, eniferBio Co-Founder and CEO Simo Ellilä said: “We are thrilled to have been selected as the winner of the Tesco Agri T-Jam 2022! It really highlights how Tesco as a key player in the food value chain really sees the potential of our solution to drive sustainability. Our mycoprotein as a drop-in ingredient is uniquely positioned to deliver sustainable, affordable nutrition to diverse value chains including aquafeed and petfood. We’re looking forward to working with Tesco and seeing how we can accelerate the adoption of our technology.”
eniferBio will now benefit from introductions to Tesco’s supply chain partners, as well as ongoing support from the Tesco Agriculture team, the value of which was shared in an update from last year’s winner, Crop Intellect, whose technology has been in testing with a range of suppliers.
Abigail Ryder, Programme Director for the World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit series said: “It’s always so rewarding to see the wealth of groundbreaking technologies and fresh start-ups emerging across the global agri-tech landscape. I’m sure we’ll hear much more from all the shortlisted companies over the year and we look forward to supporting them as they grow.”
Alongside eniferBio, the nine other finalists were: Altered Carbon (UK), Flox (UK), BigSis (UK), Earth Rover (UK), FarmHealth Guardian (Canada), Frasscoat (UK), Soos Technology (Israel), Pherosyn (UK) and iFlowTech (Thailand).
Special mentions were given to runners-up BigSis for its use of sterile insect pest control management without the use of harmful chemicals in fresh produce, and to Soos Technology for its non-invasive technology that reverses sex in poultry embryos.
For more information on all Tesco Agri T-Jam finalists and the World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit visit: www.worldagritechinnovation.com/tesco-agri-t-jam-2022/
eniferBio exhibited as part of the Tech Hub during the inaugural Blue Food Innovation Summit in 2022.