Innovative agri-food and med-tech entrepreneurs from Chile, Panama, Mexico, Argentina and the GTA travelled to London this week to attend the Global Startup’s Accelerator bootcamp, hosted by the London Economic Development Corporation (LEDC) in strategic partnership with Global Startups Canada. Through curated site tours of cutting-edge facilities, expert-led presentations and targeted networking sessions, participating companies discovered why London’s ecosystem offers a powerful launchpad for scaling their businesses in Canada.
Over the course of two days, attendees engaged with local industry experts, toured cutting-edge facilities such as the Grove and BioNext, and visited anchor institutions including Fanshawe College’s Innovation Village and Western Research Parks.
Global Startups Canada is an initiative that helps international founders enter Canadian markets through programming, mentorship and connections with economic development organizations like LEDC.
This event series was a strategic move that speaks directly to LEDC’s mandate – to drive sustainable economic growth by positioning London as a leader in key sectors like agri-food, food tech, life sciences and medical technology. By bringing in high-potential companies looking to expand into the Canadian market, LEDC provided an opportunity for global founders to see firsthand what London has to offer.
Participating companies are selected based on based on a combination of strategic and practical criteria, in addition to operating in high-growth sectors like life sciences and agri-food. They must demonstrate a readiness to scale internationally, a clear interest in the Canadian market and the capacity to invest in a physical presence in London. English proficiency and visa eligibility also play a role in the selection process. Final decisions are made by LEDC’s business development team, ensuring that selected startups align with London’s innovation priorities and offer strong potential for long-term impact.
“This event showcases London to a group of rapidly growing companies from around the world and presents London as the premier destination for expanding into Canada,” says Josh Taylor, manager of business development at LEDC. “With LEDC’s focus on ‘tech-led economic development’ this introduces innovative tech-led companies into our agri-food and life sciences sectors.”
The sessions were carefully curated to showcase the ecosystem of support available, from business development and workforce resources to international trade advice and investor readiness guidance. The result was a clear picture of London as a place where innovation is not only welcomed - but actively cultivated.
What makes this initiative particularly impactful is the quality and diversity of the companies involved. From agricultural robotics and AI-driven diagnostics to clean-label food products and sustainable snack solutions, each participant represents a different facet of innovation. These are companies like MedAIGraph, Godelous, Sweet Dried Fruit Chile and Apelie Robotics – enterprises solving tangible global challenges with scalable solutions. Their interest in London underscores the city’s rising status as a competitive, supportive environment for growth-oriented, tech-enabled businesses.
Attracting global talent and investment is essential to shaping the future of London’s key sectors. These startups bring fresh perspectives, cross-border partnerships and access to new markets. Their potential presence in London strengthens the city’s innovation ecosystem, fuels job creation, and accelerates research and commercialization in agri-food, food tech, and med-tech.
The Global Startups Accelerator reflects London’s growing role as a strategic partner in global innovation. By convening international founders, showcasing world-class infrastructure and fostering collaboration, LEDC and its strategic partners are building a foundation for sustainable, high-impact growth.
This event signals a broader shift – London is no longer simply responding to international interest, rather it’s actively pursuing it. With initiatives like this, LEDC is positioning London as a long-term hub for companies addressing some of the world’s most urgent challenges. By forging these early relationships, the city is cultivating a future pipeline of investment, research and partnerships that will impact the region for years.
