Bold Founders Fuel Impact and Innovation Across Key Industries

Christy Lee, during her high school years, volunteered extensively in a hospital and long-term care settings, where she supported healthcare professionals and engaged with patients. Through this experience, Lee experienced firsthand the challenges nurses faced when managing patient requests, particularly the inefficiency caused by their need to frequently enter rooms to assess patient needs, which she identified as a significant pain point in the communication process.

Motivated by this insight, Lee envisioned a solution: PatientCompanion, an innovative app aimed at improving communication between patients and healthcare providers, thus reducing wasted time and improving workflow. Initially unsure about pursuing a startup, her journey began when she found support through Communitech during Techtoberfest. This led Lee to take business courses, engage in programming activities at the University of Waterloo, and participate in the Velocity program, which helped her build a solid professional network.

In her development process, she validated the problems associated with the traditional call system through feedback from over 300 nurses across North America. This research became part of her preparation for pitch competitions, where she secured funding to initiate a pilot program for PatientCompanion in a local hospital, allowing her to refine her product further based on real-world feedback from both nurses and patients.

Lee's achievements have subsequently earned her a spot among ten selected founders in the Communitech Fierce Founders Intensive Track, which began on July 31, 2024. This program offers participants $50,000 in matching funds, mentorship, and a collaborative atmosphere to discuss experiences and challenges. Among her fellow cohort members are founders involved in various impactful health and technology initiatives, including an AI platform for medical information accessibility and devices addressing healthcare-related injuries.

As part of the program, each founder is paired with a lead growth coach and participates in weekly meetings to implement personalized growth strategies. The program emphasizes peer-to-peer support through monthly group coaching sessions, fostering a community of female founders aiming to scale their ventures. Lee expressed gratitude for the mentorship she has received, underscoring the importance of community support for innovators in similar sectors.

Lee also provided advice for aspiring founders, stressing the significance of user engagement in the development process, especially within the healthcare landscape. She emphasized listening to users and adapting products based on their feedback, reiterating that a successful health solution must directly address the problems users face.

In summary, Christy Lee’s journey from a high school volunteer to a startup founder exemplifies how exposure to real-world challenges can ignite innovative solutions. Through the support of mentorship programs like Communitech's Fierce Founders, she is not only advancing her venture, PatientCompanion, but also contributing to a community that champions collaboration and growth among female entrepreneurs in technology and health.