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Meet the startGBC #WhyNotMe November 2026 Entrepreneur Spotlight: Theleepan Marcandu, CEO Prestar
About Theleepan
Raised by a single mother in Toronto's Jane and Finch community, Theleepan Marcandu has witnessed firsthand how financial barriers hold hardworking families back. A CFA charter holder with an MBA and a background in developing successful financial products, he combines industry expertise with a deep commitment to the community where he grew up and continues to volunteer. Determined to build a fairer alternative, he launched a pilot by lending his own money to members of the community. Promising early repayment results laid the foundation for Prestar, a fintech startup focused on expanding financial access and economic mobility for Canadians.
Today, Prestar is advancing that vision with its free financial literacy app and innovative credit products in development, designed to recognize financial potential and open doors to economic mobility for more Canadians.
Prestar is Redefining Financial Access. While predatory lending keeps hardworking Canadians trapped in cycles of debt, one Toronto fintech startup is building a way up.
What made you want to become an entrepreneur?
Growing up in a marginalized community, I saw hardworking people struggle to make ends meet, not because they lacked ambition, but because they lacked access to affordable credit and the financial knowledge to make informed decisions. Later, working in financial services, I realized I had the experience and expertise to do something about it. Rather than wait for change, I decided to build it.
Why did you create your business?
I grew up watching hardworking people in my community not being able to get ahead, often turning to expensive loans because they had few options. That never sat right with me. After years working in financial services, I knew I could do something about it. So I started a pilot, lending my own money to people in my community to see if a different approach could work. That's how Prestar began.
What successes have you enjoyed so far with building your company?
We've come a long way since I started Prestar, when it was just me, my computer, and an Excel spreadsheet. Today, I'm fortunate to have a talented team that shares the vision, brings different strengths to the table, and puts in the work every day to bring it to life. I couldn't have come this far without them. But our biggest success isn't the milestones we've reached. It's knowing we've made a difference in people's lives. Our early results have reinforced my belief that we're onto something meaningful. With families struggling to afford basic necessities and put food on the table, the need for change has never felt more urgent. We've seen what's possible. Now it's time to reach more people.
What is one piece of advice you would give to aspiring entrepreneurs?
Find a problem that matters. Do something about it. Build a way up.
Any organizations or learning resources you would recommend?
Entrepreneurship can be a lonely journey, so my biggest advice is to find your community. Surround yourself with people who understand what you're building, challenge your thinking, and support you through the ups and downs. Organizations like TMU Social Venture Zone, Spring Activator, NEXT Canada, and Tamil Venture Zone have been valuable parts of my journey, along with early backing from the UCeed Social Impact Fund. Don't try to build everything alone. The right people, support, and capital at the right time can make all the difference.
Any books or podcasts you would recommend?
Two books that have stuck with me are The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel and Atomic Habits by James Clear. The first taught me that financial success is as much about behaviour as it is about knowledge. The second reinforced that big results come from small, consistent actions. Both have shaped how I approach building Prestar, understanding people, staying disciplined, and playing the long game.
I'd recommend The Founder's Mindset with Reza Satchu. What resonates with me is the emphasis on taking ownership, thinking big, and making things happen rather than waiting for the right opportunity. Entrepreneurship comes with a lot of uncertainty, and his perspective is a good reminder that mindset matters just as much as the idea. You have to believe in what you're building and be willing to put in the work.
Anything else you would like to share?
Go after a problem you genuinely care about. Building a business is hard, and if you're only in it for the money, it's going to be a long road. Of course, the business needs to make financial sense, but there has to be something bigger driving you. Don't wait until you have everything figured out. Start doing something about the problem, learn as you go, and you'd be surprised what can happen.
Come and meet Theleepan at George Brown Polytechnic on Wednesday, November 18, 2026, as a keynote speaker at the startGBC Global Entrepreneurship Week Entrepreneurship Summit
Website and Socials
Website: https://www.prestar.ca/
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/prestarcanada/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/prestar-canada/home/