News Summary

Stephany Lapierre, CEO of TealBook, shared her entrepreneurial journey at the Communitech Breakfast event in Kitchener. Lapierre, coming from a family of entrepreneurs, started her first company at 18. Inspired by inefficiencies in the pharmaceutical industry, she launched Matchbook in 2006 and later founded TealBook, a supply chain software startup using AI and machine learning to provide accurate supplier data. Despite early funding challenges, TealBook has raised about $73 million, including a $50 million Series B round. Lapierre emphasizes the importance of confidence, wellness, and mental health for founders, sharing insights on resilience and adaptability. The event also featured insights from Cathy Tracey of Sage on decision-making in fast-moving markets.