Jake Bartnicki, Business Development at [m]pirik

Jake Bartnicki, head of business development at [m]pirik, recently shared how the Milwaukee-based orthopedic technology firm was founded and how he got his start in the industry. Since its founding in 2010 as Medical Companion, the company has pioneered methods of improving patients’ experiences and outcomes using software to simplify patient data collection and analysis for doctors in orthopedic clinics. Below, Bartnicki provides more insight into the company’s processes and path to success.

What is your background and how did you get started with [m]pirik?

Upon graduating college from St. Louis University, I was recruited to sell for Zimmer Orthopedics in the Milwaukee area. After selling for six years, I was introduced to Dr. Joe Kohli, an orthopedic surgeon in the Milwaukee area and founder of [m]pirik. It was a great example of being in the right place at the right time. Joe was looking for someone to head up sales for [m]pirik and I loved his vision of using technology to change the way modern orthopedics is practiced.

Where did the idea for [m]pirik come from?

[m]pirik was founded based on Dr. Kohli’s personal and professional experience as a practicing orthopedic surgeon. He saw many shortcomings in the way orthopedics was being practiced and he set out to change the way orthopedic care is delivered, using technology to enhance the patient experience and improve the patient’s outcome. After bootstrapping the company for a year, he incorporated in 2010 and raised money from friends and family.

Why do you think your business model will be successful in the marketplace?

There is a change in the landscape of reimbursement in health care. Mandates from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, combined with a move from a fee-for-service to a value-based payment model, are encouraging hospital systems and physicians to measure their outcomes using patient-reported outcomes and registry data. Our system is the most comprehensive product on the market, and gives a complete picture of a patient’s return to everyday life.

Who are your key customers and where do you see growth opportunities?

We are seeing just the tip of the change in reimbursement. Measuring value and patient outcomes is only going to become more important as time goes on. We currently see a large market to capture in the Midwest and nationally.

What has been the biggest challenge for your team? What advice would you give entrepreneurs to help with similar challenges?

Our biggest challenge is to stay positive during the very long sales cycle in health care. It is important to find positivity in everything you do. Staying focused and driving to the end goal is the best advice I can give any entrepreneur.