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About Northstar Startups
We help people achieve their goals of greater financial security through side hustles, self-employment and entrepreneurship.
All services are free and there is no end date for participation in the program as our clients face complex challenges.
Community based. Volunteer run.
Northstar Startups is fully volunteer run and focused on supporting the many people living in Scarborough, Ontario who face food and financial insecurity.
Working with community service organizations to reach our clients, talented volunteers who build the operational backbone for our programs, and a network of experienced entrepreneur mentors providing one-on-one support, we deliver free programming to provide aspiring entrepreneurs with the tools and resources needed to launch their new businesses.
Our Values
Structure and Governance
Northstar Startups was founded in 2021, incorporated as a non-profit in 2022 and gained registered charitable status in 2023. Our organization is led by a volunteer Leadership Team, under the direction of a volunteer Board of Directors.
Supporting Partners
In addition to individual volunteers, we are proud to thank the following organizations for their ongoing support with technical services for our various programs.
Seyon Tax
Seyon provides hassle-free personal and business services to match your needs, giving you complete peace of mind that your accounting is in the right hands.
Achiever
Achiever, with 20+ years of ERP and customized software expertise, is the reliable partner for diverse industries, SMEs, and startups. We prioritize user needs and empower businesses through AI-driven operational optimization.
The Website Architect
The Website Architect is a website designer/developer based in Toronto who makes websites for free for non-profits. Through his YouTube channel, he teaches web design best practices.
Benes the Menace
Peter Benes helps small brick-and-mortar retailers maximize ad budgets and compete with larger stores through performance-based marketing. He trains in data analysis, Shopify improvements, SEO for AI Overviews, and offers kPixies™ ads with guaranteed ROI.
Leadership Team
#### John Borges, Director of Business Incubator
João (John) is an experienced business consultant with a passion for breaking barriers and empowering individuals on their entrepreneurial journey. With expertise in marketing, data analysis, and business strategy, he helps others achieve financial independence by guiding them through each step of building their own business. John believes that empowering people through entrepreneurship fosters both independence and community growth.
#### Eric Bunn, Director of Partnerships
Eric is an experienced accountant that is passionate about giving back to his local community. WIth Northstar, Eric focuses on building mutually-beneficial relationships with other local not-for-profit organizations, including identifying and nurturing new partnership opportunities. Additionally, Eric provides valuable tax and business insight to help support Northstar’s entrepreneurs as needed.
#### Annie Ellenberger, Director of Technology & Systems
Annie is a technical director building systems for social impact — from healthcare to special needs transportation. She’s led multiple engineering teams through rapid growth and acquisition, blending analytical rigor with creative solutions. Passionate about expanding opportunity in tech, she sees infrastructure as a way to open doors, shift power, and help underrepresented people thrive.
#### Shawn Gallman, Director of Partnerships
Known for his positive attitude, Shawn believes support from the community goes a long way to ensuring success. Be it be formerly coaching minor hockey in Scarborough or speaking to youth about personal finance, Shawn likes to give back. He knows it can be a lonely journey along the path to becoming a successful entrepreneur but that the rewards are certainly worth the effort.
#### Richa Mandalay, Director of Volunteers
Richa is a healthcare professional who moved to Scarborough from the US. With a background in biotech and public health, she enhanced lifesaving resources at the public cord blood bank. Committed to empowering individuals, especially women, she focuses on education and creating inclusive environments for health and well-being in her community.
#### Dheepa Sivakumaran, Director of Events
Dheepa believes in the power of community to make a difference. She has volunteered in different capacities to see how teams can come together to work towards a shared vision to inspire and effect positive social change in our communities.
#### Veniesha Wannamaker, Director of Communications
Veniesha believes every organization has a story worth telling, especially those working on preventative initiatives and positive change. She brings those stories to life with strategic brand messaging, ensuring they connect with audiences, inspire action, and drive meaningful change.
#### Janice Waugh, Co-founder, Executive Director
Having built and sold one business, Janice is now on her second, with a stint as a freelance writer in between. She has decades of volunteer experience that has focused primarily on supporting women in need and healthcare navigation.
Board of Directors
#### Jeanie Argiropoulos
Jeanie is an accredited senior executive with over 25 years of experience providing leadership to key organizations in Ontario’s healthcare delivery system. Expert in system redesign, strategic planning, governance and organizational redesign, Jeanie is highly regarded for her strong values system and communications style that engages and motivates a diverse range of stakeholders. As a strong advocate for health equity, she has focused her energies in helping to form an integrated health system to improve the health and wellness of Scarborough’s residents, most recently leading the development of a poverty reduction strategy that highlighted food security as one of the top priorities for Scarborough residents.
#### Daniel Cipollone
Daniel Cipollone (he/him/his) is a partner in the Banking & Specialty Finance Group at Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP and is a member of the firm’s top-ranked Private Equity, Restructuring, and Cannabis Groups. A long time member of the Scarborough community, Daniel regularly volunteers with various local organizations and community initiatives.
#### Bryceson Dodge, Co-founder, Chairperson of the Board
Bryceson is a passionate community-builder and serial entrepreneur, having launched several non-profit organizations. He has managed numerous businesses professionally and actively led the incubation of more than twenty. He is a proud fourth-generation resident of Scarborough (currently raising a fifth-generation resident!).
#### Michelle Lochan
Michelle is deeply committed to community wealth creation and economic development. With expertise in fundraising and investment attraction, she has leveraged her experience from working in government to building her own business in Scarborough. For years, Michelle has been teaching entrepreneurship and leadership to business owners as she believes that this is a powerful path to achieving social justice and equality.
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