2017 was an exciting year for London and the London Economic Development Corporation (LEDC). From Canada 150 celebrations and Fanshawe College celebrating 50 years to a number of new businesses opening in downtown London, 2017 was a year of growth and pride in being Canada’s London.
Over the past year, the LEDC and many partners collaborated to bring niche, industry-focused events to fruition, such as Techsposure, Music in a Digital Creative World, and The Pitch: A Digital Creative Collision. We hosted repeat events such Deloitte’s TMT Predictions, Manufacturing Matters, and our Holiday Open House held in partnership with the London Convention Centre for the first time in 2017. These events brought together hundreds of Londoners each time to get connected to local industry and learn more about London’s growing sectors.
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We formed partnerships with the Southwestern Ontario Angels Group (SWO Angels), Fanshawe College in our Business Momentum Series, and Ivey Executive Education to provide leadership training to better connect entrepreneurs to investors, and to provide local talent with better leadership and training opportunities.
Many companies grew their teams, space, and service offerings in 2017, including Bill Gosling Outsourcing, which hopes to add ~200 staff over the next year, and Starlim North America Corporation, which will be hiring 140 in 2018. In manufacturing, Armo-Tool acquired Abuma Manufacturing, and automated hatchery equipment manufacturer Zoetis celebrated a major expansion to double in size. Local internet provider, Start.ca, made progress on their new office, while sausage maker Sikorski Sausages, and ice cream factory Nestle, gear up for major expansions.
We welcomed new companies like Mexican firm GOSS Global, announcing an automotive manufacturing plant that will employ 50 people, and celebrated IKEA Canada announcing a full-sized store opening in 2019. We highlighted the many companies that received local, national, and international recognitions and investments, such as Voices.com receiving one of the largest investments in London’s tech history.
It was a year worth remembering, so let’s reflect on some of the top highlights by taking a look at the most read articles on our website:
Top 10
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Celebrating Canada’s 150th with 150 London Facts: London has grown alongside Canada over the past century and a half; discover 150 facts you may not have known about the Forest City
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Raising the visibility of London’s tech sector: With over 300 digital creative companies in London, Techsposure brought together ~200 people to discover local solutions made in London, Ontario
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LEDC year in review - a look forward: Highlighting our 2016 activities and what was on the radar for 2017
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Serving the world from London, Ontario: During Global Entrepreneurship Week (Nov. 13-19), the LEDC highlighted London companies with global impact
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Celebrating business milestones: Digital creative companies in London, Ontario celebrate growth and anniversaries across the city
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Greens delivered right to your porch: A new co-operative in London is helping people and businesses source local, organic foods easier
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Celebrating economic development week in London, Ontario: LEDC joined in the nation-wide conversation about Economic Development Week (May 8-13) to spread the word about economic development here in London
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Connecting Startups to Angel Investors: The LEDC has partnered with the Southwestern Ontario Angel Group (SWO Angels) to better connect them with local, growing entrepreneurs
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Forest City Festivals: Affectionately known as festival season, summers in London are transformed into an outdoor haven for culture, music, and food
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Music in a Digital Creative World: In April 2017, guests from the music and technology industries in London gathered for an industry collision event as part of Jack Richardson Music Week
What’s next?})
As the LEDC celebrates its 20th anniversary serving the London, Ontario business community, stay tuned for more exciting announcements, news, events, campaigns, programming, and partnership as we move through 2018.
In London over the next year, you’ll see old, historic sites being restored and taken over by growing companies, such as Info-Tech Research Group turning the former Sterling Marketing products into a high-tech site, and The Factory launching Phase 1 in early 2018 of their redevelopment of the former Kellogg plant.
Stay tuned for updates throughout the year on our news and events page - better yet, get the top developments right to your inbox by signing up for our newsletter.
