THE NEXT CHAPTER
Grove 2.0 Building on The Grove’s Success
Grove 2.0 will help food and beverage companies grow, create jobs, and reach new customers in Canada and around the world.
36,000
SQ FT OF NEW SPACE
$ 11.1 M
PLANNED INVESTMENT
|
|
36,000
SQ FT OF REPURPOSED SPACE
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|
2 yrs
BUILD TIMELINE
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3+
NEW EXPORT REGIONS
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What is
Grove 2.0?
01
Expanded Infrastructure
Larger production units, retail-ready spaces, loading dock improvements and facility upgrades give growing companies room to scale.
02
Export diversification
Companies will receive support to explore new markets beyond the traditional U.S. corridor, including Europe, Latin America and Asia.
03
Façade Improvements and Sustainability:
Building improvements to modernize the site and visitor experience with integration of renewable energy systems.
The genesis of Grove 2.0 was the success of The Grove, an agri-food business acceleration hub. Grove 2.0 bridges the next generation of small and medium-sized agri-food businesses by providing larger production space with adjacent retail options, and cold storage supports to help agri-food businesses grow market share outside North America. Grove 2.0 continues to help build a dynamic regional eco-system that attracts new foreign investments, incubates & accelerates SMEs and fosters innovation in the Canadian food & beverage industry.
04
Shared cold storage
New cold storage capacity helps health food and beverage producers manage inventory and prepare for distribution at scale.
05
R&D and packaging support
Fanshawe’s Packaging Advancement Centre and research specialists will help companies validate products, improve packaging and prepare for retail and export channels.
06
A connected community
Stay plugged into The Grove's network of mentors, tenants, funders, and educational partners. The relationships that got you here come with you.
Why Are We Expanding
Grove 1.0?
Grove 1.0 demonstrated strong demand for food incubation, acceleration and shared agri-food infrastructure in the London region. With support from FedDev and regional partners, The Grove has been successful in incubating promising start-ups, supporting scaling companies, advancing sustainable packaging and absorbing significant food infrastructure at Western Fair District.
Grove 2.0 responds to rising demand from tenants and regional producers who are ready for larger spaces, stronger commercialization support, and new market access. It also addresses uncertainty caused by U.S. trade policy by helping companies diversify into new export and interprovincial markets.
How Grove 2.0 Will Help the Community
Create new jobs in the London region
Support food makers and entrepreneurs
Help small agri-business move from regional sales into national and international retail channels.
Bring more investment and new business to the region
Support inclusive entrepreneurship with outreach and grants focused on underrepresented founders.
Give people more opportunities to learn new skills and build careers in food and agriculture
THE NUMBERS
$11.1
M
PLANNED INVESTMENT OVER TWO YEARS
Project Highlights
Grove 2.0 is an $11.1 million planned investment over two years, bringing 36,000 square feet of repurposed building space planned adjacent to The Grove. It includes a large shared cold storage facility for food companies, along with support for companies focused on exports, growth, and innovation.
GET INVOLVED
Grow your food business at
Grove 2.0
If you are scaling up, exporting, or looking for a real production home in the heart of Ontario's farm belt, we want to hear from you.
OUR SUPPORTERS
The partners supporting our growth
An eco-system of businesses dedicated to helping food entrepreneurs succeed in London and across Ontario.
Government of Canada
Funded through FedDev Ontario, The Grove is part of Canada's commitment to growing agri-food innovation and entrepreneurship across Southwestern Ontario.
FedDev Ontario
The London Small Business Centre is a not-for-profit organization that provides training and support to starting and growing businesses
Small Business Centre
Business support
LEDC focuses on growing London’s primary economic sectors – Agri-Food, Advanced Manufacturing, Digital Media and Tech, and Health.
LEDC
Business support
Fanshawe’s Packaging Advancement Centre and research specialists will help companies validate products, improve packaging and prepare for retail and export channels.
Fanshawe College
Business support
Western Fair Association
WFA has been a nexus point for farmers, agri-food business, and innovators since its beginning in 1867. WFA made the strategic decision in 2019 to begin to invest over $20 million to create The Grove, which has become a leading food incubator facility that works with local and regional partners on food innovation and agri-tech that supports the London Region. Located in the heart of Ontario’s farm belt, Grove 2.0 responds to the success of The Grove and the need to improve and grow its vision to ensure a more seamless journey for next stage agri-food business and to continue to support the development of innovation in the Canadian food and beverage industry.
OUR HOME