The following video presents A Message from 500px: Thank You for 5 Fantastic Years:
Celebrating all the milestones which shaped 500px.com into the thriving, global photo community that it is today. And it’s all because of you. Thank you for five fantastic years of endless support, kindness, and encouragement!
Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne’s trade mission to China last November is continuing to help create high-value jobs in Ontario at companies such as technology startup 500px.
500px is a photo community for discovering, sharing, buying and selling inspiring photography powered by creative people worldwide.
- 500px has already hired 14 new employees in Ontario as a result of a venture capital agreement it announced during the China mission, and it plans to hire about 10 more people by the end of this year.
NEWS RELEASE
Tech Startup 500px Creating High-Value Jobs in Ontario
Jobs Created as a Result of Agreement Announced During Premier’s China Mission
March 21, 2016 9:20 A.M. Office of the Premier
Premier Kathleen Wynne’s trade mission to China last November is continuing to help create high-value jobs in Ontario at companies such as technology startup 500px.
The Premier highlighted this success today during a visit to the Toronto headquarters of 500px, a global online photography community for sharing, discovering and licensing photos. 500px has already hired 14 new employees in Ontario as a result of a venture capital agreement it announced during the China mission, and it plans to hire about 10 more people by the end of this year. The agreement with the Visual China Group — part of a Series B financing round worth $14 million — will allow 500px to expand its global operations and its headquarters in Ontario.
This agreement illustrates how Ontario’s Going Global Strategy is helping startups across the province tap into global markets. International trade missions are a critical way for the government to attract new investment, foster innovation and increase global exports.
Attracting new investments and helping the province’s businesses compete globally are part of the government’s economic plan to build Ontario up and deliver on its number-one priority to grow the economy and create jobs. The four-part plan includes investing in talent and skills, including helping more people get and create the jobs of the future by expanding access to high-quality college and university education. The plan is making the largest investment in public infrastructure in Ontario’s history and investing in a low-carbon economy driven by innovative, high-growth, export-oriented businesses. The plan is also helping working Ontarians achieve a more secure retirement.
Quick Facts
- 500px was founded in Toronto in 2009. It joined Ryerson University’s DMZ incubator in 2011.
- Images on 500px represent the work of over 7 million professional and hobbyist photographers. Through its marketplace, 500px works with thousands of agency and brand creatives, who use its images in marketing campaigns around the world.
- Premier Wynne led trade missions to China in 2014 and 2015. These missions generated agreements that are worth an estimated $3.8 billion in total and are expected to create 3,500 jobs in Ontario.
Additional Resources
Quotes
“This partnership is a great example of how our trade missions are helping to deliver on my top priority as Premier — creating good jobs in a growing economy. The trade missions I am leading — along with our government’s investments in people’s talent and skills, and work to create a dynamic and competitive business environment — are driving investment and laying the foundations for sustainable growth for years to come.”
Kathleen Wynne
Premier of Ontario
“It is great to see the connections delegates strengthened in China are translating into jobs and growth back home. I look forward to seeing more Ontario startups like 500px participate in future trade missions. Helping startups tap in to new markets is a key component of our strategy to grow the economy.”
Brad Duguid
Minister of Economic Development, Employment and Infrastructure
“Ontario is an economic hub and a beacon of innovation. We trade on our reputation as a global leader, and on the quality of our goods and services — the result is meaningful and lasting partnerships like this one. Congratulations to 500px.”
Michael Chan
Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and International Trade
“We are pleased with the connections we strengthened during Premier Wynne’s trade mission to China. The agreement we announced with the Visual China Group during the mission is enabling us to grow faster and create more jobs here in Ontario. The mission was very worthwhile for us.”
Andy Yang
CEO, 500px