CHIEF STIGMA BREAKER

Robby, a veteran of recovery, has found success in disrupting industries to improve them. His introduction to the behavioral healthcare space was through an electronic medical records software startup named KIPU. He was highly instrumental in the development, launch, and growth of KIPU, becoming the industry standard EMR for addiction treatment centers, which sold in January of 2021 for over $290 million to TCV Partners. KIPU currently has over 1,800 addiction treatment facilities utilizing its software. Armed with the knowledge of rehabilitation practices and noticing the need for more detox centers in the Los Angeles area, he founded Malibu Detox in 2015. After seeing clients go in and out and then return, he realized there was a tremendous need for quality long-term residential care. “The facilities did not care about the client’s success and wellness, and the insurance companies set up the system for failure, meaning repeat clients were extremely profitable. There was no financial incentive or motivation for success. The success rate for clients staying clean and sober for one year out of treatment is between 4-6%. That is unacceptable for any business, especially healthcare. I wondered, “how can I fix this and disrupt an industry?” Treatment was ripe for a change, and it was personal because of my own struggles with addiction. It was the best of both worlds: a personal passion and something that needed to be done.”