CanadianSME Small Business Magazine interviews Kara LeBlanc, CEO & Founder of MedReddie, about her journey from concept to success in the competitive healthcare technology sector. Kara shares how pivotal partnerships with the Accelerator Centre and SnapPea Design were instrumental in scaling MedReddie. Through these collaborations, Kara’s team refined their product iteratively based on real user feedback, ultimately creating a platform that leverages artificial intelligence to streamline healthcare procurement. By bootstrapping grant funding and winning pitch competitions, MedReddie secured initial funding, allowing the company to hire skilled data scientists and scale effectively. Despite the challenges of starting a business during a global pandemic, Kara’s resilience and strategic partnerships positioned MedReddie for success. She emphasizes the importance of community, mentors, and partnerships in fostering innovation and adapting to uncertain times.
Kara LeBlanc, a distinguished entrepreneur, and visionary leader has emerged as a driving force in the realm of healthcare technology. Armed with a Masters of Science in International Supply Chain Management from the University of Salford, UK, Kara’s astute insights and pioneering spirit have reshaped the landscape of procurement in healthcare.
Following extensive research on value-based procurement practices worldwide, Kara identified a pressing need for transformative solutions within procurement and selling processes. From strategic planning to innovative marketing approaches for suppliers, Kara’s vision encompasses a comprehensive overhaul of traditional methodologies.
With over a decade of leadership experience in supply chain management, particularly in procuring medical equipment, devices, and solutions, Kara founded MedReddie. This groundbreaking venture was established with a singular mission: to revolutionize healthcare procurement and catalyze positive change within the industry.
Could you share some of the pivotal moments and strategies that were instrumental in MedReddie’s growth, particularly how you navigated the challenges of scaling a startup in the competitive healthcare technology sector?
A pivotal moment in MedReddie’s growth was partnering with the Accelerator Centre and SnapPea Design in Kitchener-Waterloo. These partnerships provided invaluable mentorship, guiding us through the process of building our company and product. Working closely with SnapPea Design, we adopted a systematic approach to product development, starting with prototyping, testing, and gathering user feedback on an international scale. This iterative process allowed us to refine our product based on real data and identify features that delivered the most value to our customers.
Another pivotal moment was securing non-dilutive grant funding. Countless grant proposals funded building, testing, and commercializing our platform, enabling us to remain lean and make smart business decisions in the early stages. Additionally, this funding allowed us to hire data scientists to build out our data strategy and leverage artificial intelligence and proprietary algorithms to scale the company.
By bootstrapping grant funding, we developed a minimum viable product with customer traction, which supported our success in pitch competitions. This was another pivotal moment as we embarked to scale our solution. Winning a couple of national pitch competitions, including Elevate and The Firehood Women in Tech national competition, led to securing our first round of VC-backed funding. These strategies were instrumental in navigating the challenges of scaling a startup in the competitive healthcare technology sector.
Starting and growing a company during an economic downturn and a global pandemic is no small feat. What specific strategies did you implement to overcome these challenges and ensure MedReddie’s success during such uncertain times?
Our evolution began with my firsthand experiences in healthcare procurement, which inspired graduate studies in global supply chain management. Recognizing the universal nature of this problem, I embarked on a mission to find a solution. Partnering with SnapPea Design and mentors at Accelerator Centre, we developed cost-effective prototypes and engaged stakeholders to pinpoint pain points. Iteratively refining our product through stakeholder feedback, we transitioned from whiteboard concepts to clickable prototypes and functional MVPs, culminating in a commercialized product. Throughout this journey, we prioritized humility, listening, and data-driven decision-making. These principles were instrumental in crafting a scalable product from the outset. Starting and growing a company amid economic adversity and a global pandemic demanded strategic resilience and adaptability. Our approach focused on making logical business decisions and embracing incremental progress.
You’ve highlighted the significant impact of mentors, advisors, accelerators, and strategic partnerships in your entrepreneurial journey. Can you elaborate on how these relationships have shaped MedReddie’s development and your approach to fostering these critical connections?
Our entrepreneurial journey has been profoundly shaped by our ecosystem of mentors, partners, accelerators, and investors. Accelerator Centre, SnapPea Design, Weavik, Angel investors, The Firehood, Forum Ventures, Google for Startups Accelerator, National Research Council Innovation Program, BDC Thrive Lab, New Brunswick Innovation Foundation, Deloitte, ventureLAB Accelerate AI, Equivesto, Elevate, UNB Axis Sales Accelerator and University of Waterloo have been instrumental in our growth.

Their unwavering belief in our vision and continuous mentorship have influenced every facet of our business, from product development, corporate governance to strategic planning and marketing. As we continue to evolve, we recognize the significance of nurturing these relationships and fostering a culture of collaboration. Our journey thus far has been defined by the collective wisdom and support of our ecosystem, and we remain deeply grateful.
With MedReddie at the forefront of integrating AI and ML in healthcare procurement, what is your vision for AI’s role in transforming supply chain management? How do you ensure that your AI solutions remain innovative and effectively meet the needs of your clients?
At MedReddie, we envision AI as a transformative force in supply chain management, streamlining processes and driving efficiency. Our proprietary AI large language models (LLMs) are tailored for healthcare procurement, generating evaluation criteria for diverse medical solutions with unprecedented speed and accuracy. Our vision for AI’s role is to continuously innovate, leveraging cutting-edge technology to meet evolving client needs, such as getting faster access to medical solutions or discovery of innovative solutions that contribute to the care pathway. We ensure our AI solutions remain innovative through ongoing research, staying ahead of industry trends, and actively engaging with our clients to understand their requirements. This iterative approach allows us to deliver the most up-to-date and comprehensive assessment tools, empowering our clients with a significant edge in the procurement process.

As a successful entrepreneur and a mother, you’ve managed to navigate the challenges of leading a startup while being present for your family. How has this balance influenced your leadership style and your company’s culture, and what advice would you give to other entrepreneurs striving for a similar balance?
Balancing the demands of entrepreneurship with family life has profoundly shaped both my leadership style and our company culture. Having a supportive husband and family has been instrumental in navigating this delicate balance. As a proud mother of two daughters, I’ve learned the importance of empathy, communication, and setting boundaries. Our team shares these values, fostering a supportive environment where open dialogue and innovation thrive. For fellow entrepreneurs aiming for this balance, I’ve found that compartmentalizing time helps maintain focus. Additionally, it’s crucial to understand that achieving balance isn’t always straightforward; it can fluctuate with circumstances. Offering yourself grace during these shifts is key to sustaining a healthy equilibrium.