The East India Trading Company or East India Company was established in 1600 as a monopolistic trading body that sought to trade with East and South Asia and India.  The company later became involved in politics and helped elicit British imperialism in India and in South and East Asia. This company also pushed British ideology and influence through the region and up into China.  The East India Trading company was such an innovative trading company that was far ahead of its time.  During this time, trade was conducted by separate, individual trade expeditions, but now regions were linked together, and a very interconnected web of goods and trade took place at an alarming rate.  This company increased British wealth and easily contributed to the British Empire having such success in their quest for imperialism long into the future.

Image: Insignia from the East India Trading Company.

Source: http://www.britannica.com/topic/East-India-Company