Scale-Up Support

Join the 13,000+ small businesses in the London region that are driving our economy forward. 

The LEDC builds strategic partnerships to create a strong and resilient business growth ecosystem where founders and growth companies can find support, practical advice, and insightful mentorship.

LEDC provides scale-up support services to founders of growing businesses in London’s key sectors. Some of the ways we help businesses scale-up include:

• Connect founders to mentors and scale-up training and development programs
• Assist local business owners with market research and feasibility studies
• Find an office or co-working space your business can expand into and provide tours of potential sites
• Connect to municipal specialists for regulatory and zoning requirements
• Access local talent pools and training for employees by connecting businesses to educational institutions and job promotion opportunities, in addition to all other Workforce Development Services
• Identify available grants and incentives that can assist with scaling up
• Connect with research and development facilities to develop, test, or commercialize products
• Market and promote your business’s to local media and audiences, in addition to all other Community Engagement Services

“The London Economic Development Corporation understands the importance of encouraging organic growth of business.  We have been invited to partner with the LEDC on “Founders Forum” events which bring together founders, investors, enthusiastic service providers and important organizations like Western and Fanshawe.  LEDC’s reach and reputation can open doors and help clients get to decision makers.  This capacity is not advertised, or easily quantified, but is critically important and underlies some of our regional economic success.”

- Brian Foster, Founding Partner RHA Ventures

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LEDC develops and supports several initiatives designed to help founders and businesses scale-up in London, including:

• London Founders Network: An informal, invitation only peer network of established founders of London businesses. LEDC organizes opportunities for founders to connect, share ideas, best practices, and concerns. We encourage our founders to be connected and informed. If you'd like to learn more about the Founders Network, please contact us.
• RH Accelerator: A private tech and agriculture-focused accelerator that LEDC proudly supports and connects digital media and technology companies to regularly. The RH Accelerator helps business owners, founders, and teams at early-stage companies achieve success and access mentors, investors, and space.
• The Grove: LEDC supports London’s new agri-business incubator at the Western Fair District and refers clients to access space, resources, and connections to grow their businesses at The Grove.
• Recipe to Reality: A training program developed by the London Small Business Centre and LEDC that is offered to local food and beverage entrepreneurs in the ideation stage. There’s a focus on business planning, regulatory and legal considerations, and branding.

“London's community has shown excitement and incredible support for our organizations (Booch, Nuts for Cheese, Pulp and Press) because these innovative products are being produced in their backyard; people want to support something made locally. London has always been there since day one.”

- Shannon Kamins, Booch Organic Kombucha

Have a great idea but not sure where to start? LEDC’s scale-up services are most applicable to entrepreneurs and businesses who are beyond the ideation stage and have a business plan, are employing staff, and are making revenue. 

In London, there is a no wrong door approach to seeking support. Read below to learn more about which organizations can help support your idea, startup, or small business:

 

• Leap Junction: Part of the campus-linked accelerator (CLA) program at Fanshawe College, helping students take the leap into entrepreneurship, with 940 square feet of collaborative office space.
• Propel Entrepreneurship: Part of the campus-linked accelerator (CLA) program at Western University, providing co-working space, funding, mentorship and training programs for startups at all stages of growth.
• Goodwill Industries: Offers commercial solutions for businesses looking for warehousing and production space and manages Impact Loan – offering financing of up to $5,000 to local enterprises that want to start or grow their business.
• Société Économique de l’Ontario: Helps Francophone entrepreneurs start and grow their business, offering funding, mentorship, coaching and training.
• London Small Business Centre: Provides small businesses in a variety of sectors, including retail, food service, and professional services, from the startup to growth phases with business planning, expert advice, and programming.
• London Chamber of Commerce: Advocates for local business, facilitates opportunities for member businesses, and offers a number of events and seminars that promote business growth.
• TechAlliance: Helps entrepreneurs start and grow their tech-based businesses through expertise, funding, programming, and events.
• Pillar Nonprofit Network: Supports hundreds of nonprofits, social enterprises and social innovators each year by providing resources, expertise, and social finance programs such as VERGE Capital.