Dr. Grant Searchfield
Inventor
Professor Grant D. Searchfield has been an audiologist since 1994 and obtained his Doctorate in Audiology in 2004. He is Deputy Director of the Eisdell Moore Centre for hearing and balance research in New Zealand. Grant is a primary investigator in Auckland University’s Centre for Brain Research.
He is a member of the American Tinnitus Associations Scientific Advisory Committee and is Tinnitus Section Editor for Frontiers in Audiology and Otology, Associate Editor for Scientific Reports and Frontiers in Neuroscience and Psychology.
Grant is well known for his research investigating the use of sound and hearing aids for tinnitus management
Rob Derricotte
Co-Founder
Rob is currently the co-founder of Digital Gem Holdings LLC., and has prior experience as an executive officer and management consultant with over 30 years of progressive responsibilities in the life science industry.
Rob’s experience spans numerous companies and positions including co-founder and executive officer roles across successful start-up companies (Digital Gem, Amblyotech, acquired by Novartis in 2020, and Healthcare First).
Rob has also served in leadership roles in large pharmaceutical firms (Searle, Pharmacia, UCB Pharma).
Rob has also served as a management consultant to life science start-ups and university technology transfer offices. He is a proven executive leader with big pharma experience and start-up resourcefulness.
Michael Hopson
Co-Founder
Michael is currently the Co-Founder of Digital Gem Holdings, LLC. Michael has over 28 years of banking experience having started his finance career at Citibank Securities.
Michael went on to build and manage market-leading, highly specialized finance teams at Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, Natixis Securities and Barclays Capital.
Michael has been an active venture capital investor, director and advisor to numerous startup and restructured companies for over 10 years.
Michael was the first outside investor in the digital life science startup - Amblyotech and served on its Board.
Michael holds a Master’s Degree in Finance from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and an undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering from Villanova University.