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
- Respect: For our clients, volunteers and partners.
- Diversity & Inclusion: Success is achieved, not in spite of our differences, but because of them.
- Creativity: Always searching for ‘simpler, faster, better’.
- Accountability: To ourselves, our partners and our clients.
- Collaboration: With our partners, for our clients
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 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.
Leadership Team
Kwami Ahiabenu, PhD, Director of Fundraising
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.
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 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.
Josephine Tam, Director of Social Media
A dedicated marketing professional in social media management and event coordination. Passionate about driving brand awareness and building lasting relationships, I am committed to achieving impactful results.
Ajan Thiru, Director of Partnerships
Ajan is a dedicated community leader and entrepreneur, residing in Scarborough for over two decades. He has founded four businesses, exited three, and contributed to numerous non-profits. Ajan mentors individuals of all ages, empowering community members.
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.