Powering the team behind the innovation
- Get ready to scale
- Strategic hiring for growth
- Scaling high performance
We partner with the deep tech pioneers that are redefining tomorrow.
From hiring to leadership, we help R&D-led companies build teams that scale ideas into impact.
We help accelerate success by building the capability, structure, and leadership teams need to grow. That means recruiting the right people - those who bring both expertise and the mindset to thrive in complexity from early innovation through to commercialisation. It means designing a structure that aligns with your ambition, so everyone knows where they’re headed and how to get there. And it means investing in leadership and team effectiveness, so your people can make decisions, work through conflict, and lead with clarity as the business grows.
Case studies
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From urgent need to strategic growth: NILO’s people journey
NILO's scalable technology converts problematic waste plastic into a reusable, low-energy binding agents which are used to make safer and environmentally friendly products.
Problem
Following a recent capital injection and an urgent need to recruit hard-to-find talent, NILO turned to Sprout. What began as a partnership to secure ambitious problem solvers for their bold goals has since evolved into an embedded Head of People function.
“We had a burning bridge and we needed to get talent on board really quickly. We weren’t making necessary progress. Michael Maunsell, CEO, NILO
Solution
This was never about a single hire. It was about designing a long-term talent strategy to support NILO’s bold ambitions. Together, we developed a comprehensive recruitment approach that defined how NILO attracts, engages, and evaluates top-tier talent. This included crafting ideal candidate profiles, setting salary benchmarks, simplifying the application process, and building a strong talent pipeline for future growth. It also involved defining NILO’s vision, values, organisational structure and continually working with the team to ensure a bold and innovative culture.
Impact
Through this partnership, we’ve set the people foundations for scale and established NILO’s R&D function - securing high-impact team leaders and deeply specialised expertise that are now propelling the business toward scalable innovation.
“NILO is on a pathway to substantial growth, and Sprout is a crucial partner to achieve that growth.
Michael Maunsell, CEO, NILO
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Scaling smarter: How Inugo built a high-performing tech team in six months
Inugo is a New Zealand tech company transforming parking and access management in the transport and property sectors with its smart, cloud-based platform.
Problem
As Inugo entered a period of rapid growth, they needed to scale their tech team quickly without compromising on skill or culture fit. Traditional recruitment approaches weren’t cutting it. They needed a partner who could move fast and think long-term.
Solution
Over six months, Sprout placed six key hires into critical tech roles. But the value extended beyond hiring, Sprout crafted onboarding plans to help each new team member hit the ground running and align with Inugo’s pace and vision.
Impact
With the right people in the right roles, Inugo has built a stronger, more capable tech team ready to deliver on its ambitious roadmap. The partnership helped turn recruitment from a pressure point into a growth enabler.
Sprout goes beyond recruitment. Their holistic approach helped us build a team that’s already delivering real impact.
Matt Jones, VP of Product, Inugo
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The right leader at the right time: Supporting the next stage of growth for Tectonus
Tectonus is an innovative New Zealand company specializing in advanced manufacturing and seismic solutions. After years of steady development and low project volume, they secured a pipeline of significant new orders, pushing growth beyond their current operational capacity.
Problem
Following years of innovation, development and low levels of projects, Tectonus secured future order opportunities that meant their growth was about to accelerate beyond their capability to deliver. Sprout was engaged to gain clarity of their current teams roles, responsibilities and capabilities. This process identified that to deliver on the commitments, they needed to hire for experience - a leader who had experience and skills in delivering at a much higher volume and complexity.
Solution
Through our networks of manufacturing and deep tech experts, we were able to identify a COO who could help them scale. We had to move fast while thinking long-term - taking care to find the right fit with the team and leaders. Tectonus now has a COO in place at a crucial time, ensuring they have the systems, structure and people in their operations and supply chain to deliver.
Impact
Tectonus now has the expertise to enable them to push through a challenging stage of growth, and to build their capability for the future.
I could not do what I do, without what you do.
Stephen Armstrong, COO of Tectonus
"Sprout’s advice and guidance has significantly shaped our culture and future growth. They have shown us to look forward, and we use their advice and work daily. From the outset, their adaptability, speed and startup mentality set them apart, along with their honest, open, and trusted relationship."
Zarina Bazoeva
Founder, Neocrete
"NILO is on a pathway to substantial growth, and Sprout is a crucial partner to achieve that growth."
Michael Maunsell
CEO, NILO
"Sprout has taken the time and trouble to really get to know our company, what we are trying to achieve and what we need to make that happen. On the basis of this preparation, the candidates Sprout find and put forward for our consideration, have been well selected to streamline the recruitment process from our perspective - maximising the chance of successful recruitment while minimising demands on our time and resources. Between us we don't always get it (recruitment) right, but together we learn from our shortcomings, seeking to continuously improve the process and the outcome."
Simon Oakley
CTO, NILO
Scaling R&D
01 Get ready to scale
We help R&D-led businesses get ready to scale by building the foundations investors look for - clear direction, the right structure, and a plan for growing great people. Through clarity sessions, we help founders articulate their vision, values, and strategy in ways that align teams and attract the right talent. Our organisational design work ensures the structure, roles, and leadership are built for future growth. It’s practical support that helps you move faster, work better together, and show investors you’ve thought deeply about how to scale the team behind the tech.
02 Strategic hiring for growth
We work differently because deep tech demands it. In addition to capability, you’re hiring for mindset, adaptability, and alignment with your mission. We understand the nuances of this space: the need for people who can span research and commercial thinking, thrive in ambiguity, and scale with you. We work with you to clarify what really matters, translate complex needs into clear briefs, and attract candidates who are in it for the long game. Recruitment built for the realities of deep tech growth.
03 Scaling high performance
Now that you’ve got the team you need, it’s time to invest in them as leaders. As technical teams grow, so does the need for clear communication, effective collaboration, and leadership that goes beyond technical expertise. We help emerging and experienced leaders build the skills they need to guide teams, influence across the business, and make confident decisions. Using practical tools and hands-on working sessions, we support teams to understand themselves and each other, reduce friction, and work more effectively together, creating the conditions for high performance and sustained growth.