NILO
Swell Simplifies Funding, Powering NILO’s Environmental Mission
Client
Services
Sector
Year
NILO
R&D Tax Incentive, R&D Loss Tax Credit, Grant Funding
Advanced Manufacturing — Clean Tech
2023 — 2024
Overview
NILO Ltd, a forward-thinking clean tech company, faced a daunting challenge in securing government funding to build their first production facility aimed at tackling New Zealand’s plastic waste crisis. With Swell by their side, NILO successfully secured a $6.2 million grant, setting the stage for their innovative technology to make a global impact. This case study highlights how Swell’s expertise in navigating government grants and incentives gave NILO the necessary resources to advance their mission.
About
Founded in 2018, NILO Ltd is on a mission to turn plastic waste into industrial adhesives, starting with wood fibre board binder. Their ambitious goal? To build New Zealand’s largest plastic waste processing facility. However, the journey was not without significant financial hurdles. "We needed substantial funding to move forward, and without it, we would have had to look overseas," says Michael Maunsell, COO of NILO. The company found itself in a tight spot, lacking both the expertise and time to navigate the complex world of government funding.
Challenges
NILO encountered several challenges along the way:
Lack of Internal Expertise
Navigating the intricate landscape of government funding in New Zealand was outside NILO’s experience.
Critical Funding Needs
Without substantial funding, NILO risked moving their operations offshore, which would have meant losing both environmental and economic benefits for New Zealand.
Time Sensitivity
The government grant application process is lengthy and complex, requiring specialised knowledge to avoid costly delays.
Why Swell
NILO was introduced to Swell by K1W1, SirStephen Tindall’s investment company, which had previously benefited from Swell’s services. On K1W1’s strong recommendation, NILO engaged Swell to help them secure the necessary government funding. Their decision was driven by Swell’s proven track record in successfully navigating government grants and their ability to provide tailored, expert guidance throughout the process.
Impact & Value
Swell’s involvement was a game-changer for NILO. They helped secure a $6.2 million grant, which was critical for NILO’s project. "This funding allowed us to stay in New Zealand and push our technology towards commercialisation," Michael explains. Beyond the grant, Swell also helped NILO recover additional funds through R&D tax incentives. "They brought in expertise that we simply didn’t have, enabling us to focus on what we do best—innovating," Michael adds. The partnership provided NILO with significant advantages:
Remaining in New Zealand
The secured funding enabled NILO to build their facility locally, contributing to New Zealand’s economy and environmental goals.
Accelerating Commercialization
With the necessary funding in place, NILO could advance their technology towards commercialisation, aiming to scale globally and tackle plastic waste on a larger scale.
Strengthening Strategic Planning
Swell’s expertise provided NILO with a clear pathway to secure future funding and navigate the complexities of government incentives.
Conclusion
NILO’s partnership with Swell was pivotal in turning their vision into reality. By securing critical funding, Swell enabled NILO to continue their operations in New Zealand, contributing to the fight against plastic waste and positioning the company for global success. This case study illustrates the value of expert guidance in navigating complex funding landscapes and highlights the importance of strategic partnerships in driving innovative clean tech solutions.
On Swell's Expertise
"Swell brought in the kind of expertise we simply didn’t have. They knew exactly how to navigate the complexities of government funding and got us the $6.2 million we needed. They were on top of everything—digging into the details, presenting options, and guiding us every step of the way. We couldn’t have done it without them."
On The benefits