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HOW DOES THE RDTI WORK?

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What do Kiwi businesses think?

Hear how we’ve helped businesses take full advantage of the Research & Development Tax Incentive

Advemto Ltd

  • “The RDTI has helped Advemto go further and faster as it conducts R&D to get its technology into global markets. Our eligible R&D costs are clear, and this provides certainty that ensures we can factor RDTI support into our technology roadmap planning.” - Justin Hodgkiss, CEO

Agen Limited

  • "Accessing the RDTI was a straightforward process, and I found the RDTI team to be highly supportive and engaging. When I reached out for assistance, they promptly arranged video calls to review our application and provided valuable feedback.

    Thanks to their guidance, we successfully applied for the RDTI. If I require support in the future, I would not hesitate to seek their help again." - Qing Ou, Product Design Engineer

AgriHealth NZ

  • “Locally owned business AgriHealth helps local vets help NZ farmers improve herd health and productivity. A key reason AgriHealth has become NZ's leading farm animal health company is investment into R&D. Each year AgriHealth invests millions of dollars into farm animal medicine innovations; including cattle vaccines, mastitis treatments, pain relief, and lifting pregnancy rates.

    AgriHealth participates in NZ's tax incentive scheme (RDTI) that provides a 15% tax credit on funds invested into Research and Development. Research projects are often more challenging and costly than anticipated, so receiving tax credits is valuable!

    Local businesses can file RDTI returns annually, once a project is approved by the IRD. There are some on-line forms to complete, but it's worth it if your business is investing in local R&D.

    Refer ird.govt.nz/research-and-development/tax-incentive for more details.” - Ed Catherwood, Managing Director

ANSA

  • "ANSA applied for R&D Tax Incentives to support our R&D activities on two projects. During our main R&D phase these have been valuable to us in creating the technology that underpins what are now our key products.

    Subsequently, ANSA made a number of additions to the RDTI as our R&D and product development discovered more core and supporting activities required to deliver the R&D as a product to customers. As a result of the RDTI, ANSA has now created two core products that it continues to develop. These products have been used to deliver services to a number of clients, and we have presented one of the products at an international event.

    The process of applying was straight forward, with good support from the RDTI team. The process of modifying the project and adding new tasks mid-way was also straight forward. We are likely to use the RDTI in the future." - Allan Miller, Co-founder and Director

CuroNZ Ltd

  • “The RDTI was easy to access and the resulting funds were very helpful to CuroNZ's research initiatives. The RDTI team supported us all the way through our clinical development process of NRP2945 for future human disease indications. In the event that we will continue to do R&D we would love to access the RDTI scheme again.” - Frank Sieg, Chief Scientist

Dexibit

  • “Access to RDTI was quite straight forward for us as we work extensively within the AI space. Callaghan Innovation provided us with a customer engagement specialist who worked with us every step of the way throughout the whole application process. RDTI allowed us to reinvest more into R&D which resulted in us shaving months off our initial timeline for releasing specific key new functionality to market. We will be using RDTI again in future as it allows us to fast-track in a game where speed is everything.” - Justin Kearney, COO

Forsite

  • “As a start-up, utilising the RDTI scheme, and its associated resources, has been critical to our ability to continue investing at pace.

    Ultimately it has allowed us to keep researching and developing new functionality (in collaboration with our clients & the property industry) that further enhances a property managers ability to increase compliance and drive efficiencies on their sites.

    Without this scheme we would likely have had to move at a slower pace and/or reduce our R&D activities, which in a fast changing and challenging environment would added further hurdles to success.” - Nathan Cheeseman, CEO

Framecad

  • “At Framecad, R&D unpins the continued success of our business in an increasingly competitive market. Having access to a tax incentive program that values our investment in R&D helps us to continue to invest, even in challenging economic conditions. 

    The RDTI program is well documented and the templated application process guides applicants through the criteria in a well thought out manner. Importantly, the process encourages applicants to think about R&D programmes in a way that highlights the technical uncertainty and the new knowledge that is created. 

    We have particularly appreciated the support of the Callaghan Innovation RDTI support team for their responsiveness and sage feedback, even in compressed timeframes. For a business that engages in the process infrequently, their knowledge and experience has smoothed the road and delivered a positive outcome. 

    The RDTI program enables our business to offset the cost of future initiatives through our qualifying claim. This continued investment creates opportunities for NZ engineers to contribute to building knowledge in the industry which has historically focused on more traditional building materials. 

    Framecad is looking to grow our participation in the RDTI program as the breadth of our R&D investment continues to grow.” - Warren McLuckie, Head of Research & Development

IoT Ventures

  • “RDTI has been really helpful for us as an early stage company with a high proportion of R&D activity required to get our solutions into the market. The application process was straight forward and meeting the team to talk about what we were doing was useful. We have a three year R&D programme under way and having support from RDTI really helps us do things properly. The claim process can be a bit challenging but overall the scheme is well worth the effort.” - Matt Hector-Taylor, Director

Jackson Electrical Industries Limited

  • “Our experience with the R&D Tax Incentive (RDTI) has been positive overall. While the application process does require a certain amount of administrative effort, we found it to be relatively straightforward and manageable. One of the most valuable aspects has been the R&D Experience Grants, which provide full funding for internships. This has been an excellent way for us to support and develop new talent while advancing our R&D projects.

    We intend to continue using the RDTI program in the future as it helps us access the resources needed to drive our innovation forward. We recommend other New Zealand businesses consider applying, as it provides useful support for R&D activities.” - James Jackson, Director

LeapThought

  • "Our organization found the Research and Development Tax Incentive (RDTI) to be readily accessible. The clarity and comprehensiveness of information provided on the official website significantly aided in understanding the eligibility criteria and application process, thereby facilitating a smooth initial engagement.

    A key aspect of our positive experience was the exceptional support provided by the RDTI team. Building upon our prior participation in the Callaghan Innovation Growth Grant, the expertise of our assigned team member, who possessed a deep understanding of both frameworks, proved invaluable. This facilitated a seamless integration of our existing knowledge and ensured a meticulous review of our application, facilitating the adherence to all stipulated requirements. The ability to leverage our prior Callaghan Innovation Growth Grant experience, coupled with the RDTI team's guidance, significantly streamlined the process.

    While the preparation of the RDTI claim required a notable investment of time and resources, the process was comparable in scope and rigor to our previous experience with the Callaghan Innovation Growth Grant. This familiarity mitigated potential challenges and allowed for efficient resource allocation. The financial benefits derived from the RDTI have materially enhanced our research and development budget, enabling the pursuit of more ambitious projects and the acceleration of our innovation timeline.

    We intend to continue utilizing the RDTI for the foreseeable future, recognizing its integral role in supporting our research and development initiatives. We confidently recommend the RDTI to other organizations engaged in research and development." - Alan Shum, Director Research & Development

Nautech Electronics Ltd

  • “The RDTI enabled Nautech to invest more in cutting-edge research, accelerate product development, and remain competitive in the electronics manufacturing sector. The support provided through the incentive has not only reduced financial pressure but also fostered a culture of continuous improvement and technological advancement.” - Laurie Kubiak, CEO

Neocrete

  • “We are very happy we have applied for RDTI. The application process was very clear, and the support was always available online or on the phone with inquiries. As a startup, it made a big difference for us to have access to RDTI and fully commit to our Research. It's an amazing tool that encourages further innovations, that otherwise might not happen, or not happen as fast. It was also a factor, when we considered whether to move the R&D offshore or not and decided to stay and grow out of New Zealand. We will definitely be applying for further RDTI in the upcoming years, as the more research we do the more opportunities for innovation we uncover. Thank you for your support and making the process straightforward.” - Zarina Bazoeva, CEO 

Plant Research (NZ) Ltd

  • "Plant Research (NZ) Ltd has accessed the RDTI during the past few years.

    The funds provided through this system have been reinvested in a variety of ways within our business including new infrastructure, research equipment upgrades and investment in new R&D projects.

    The initial stages of preparing the application can be daunting, but the RDTI team provided very good support through the initial process of accessing the RDTI and were always patient and available to answer our questions as we worked through the process.

    We will continue to access the scheme and would highly recommend it to any company looking to support their R&D journey" - Adrian Russell, Managing Director

QED Software

  • “The RDTI provided wonderful support to our business. It was extremely valuable to our R&D efforts and directly led to breakthroughs in some very complex and novel software engineering architectural endeavours. 

    It was straight forward to access and the RDTI team was always extremely helpful and supportive. We would most certainly be using the RDTI in future and would encourage other business to do likewise.” - Jerome Scott, CEO

Sensor Holdings Ltd (StretchSense)

  • “The RDTI program is an elegant and streamlined approach to incentivising R&D activities. From the ground up it has been the most straightforward NZ R&D scheme we have used to date. Significant progress has been made in the way R&D is supported in NZ in the past decade, and the RDTI program addresses some of the difficulties associated with higher than necessary overheads for applying and participating in historic R&D schemes. The confidence we gain from getting projects pre-approved by working with the excellent RDTI team, and having a reporting process that closely aligns with our other required financial reporting is excellent for efficiency. Structuring it as a rebate on R&D dollars spent also makes RDTI simple, minimising the distraction from actually doing business. In year payments are also extremely valuable for cash flow purposes for us as a startup.” - Todd Gisby, Chief Systems Architect

Simplicity Loyalty (Simplicity Australasia Limited)

  • “We wish to thank RDTI for the support in creating a next generation technology enabling Simplicity Loyalty to remain at the leading edge of global loyalty technology. It is very difficult being at the bottom of the world a long way from global decision making.

    RDTI has assisted in enabling Simplicity Loyalty to have more development resource focused on next generation development.

    This support over the past years has enabled us to provide world class technology to our clients which has been recognised in 2024 Asia Pacific Loyalty Awards by winning Best Overall Loyalty Program in Telco, Utilities, Energy, and Service Station for our client Genesis Energy Power Shout and being finalist in three other categories for Schneider Electric Australia. This year we were fortunate enough to be able to enter three categories for Subway Subcard Australia which are in the 2025 finals.

    I specifically wish to thank the RDTI team for the amazing support to assist in getting RDTI approved. This assistance is really the difference in making this possible.

    Simplicity will continue to work with RDTI wherever possible as this support is crucial to continued competitiveness in the global software market for which we are a small player.” - Andrew Segar, Chief Executive

Syft Technologies

  • "While the RDTI is a newer, and therefore somewhat unknown offering, we got valuable support from the RDTI team in preparing our applications and from IRD in processing them - not to mention the IR1240!

    The learnings have set us up well to continue to make claims in the future with relatively low administrative effort for the compensation received. This supports our investment in R&D projects to maintain our competitive edge in global markets.

    Any qualifying business would be well advised to access this funding." - Dylan Vile, Financial Accountant

Technix Group Limited

  • “We are pleased to share our experience with RDTI (previously Callaghan Innovation) regarding it’s invaluable support for Technix in the field of bitumen binder development for the roading industry in New Zealand.  

    The journey of bitumen road binders in New Zealand began around 1952 when it was first imported into New Zealand by Sir Russell Matthews, a pioneer in road surfacing technologies. It was sourced from Rockefeller’s Standard Oil (later “SO” followed by “ESSO”) Company in the USA and delivered in wood stave drums. This marked a significant transition from the then use of tar, a hazardous byproduct of coal gas works, which contained serious carcinogenic chemicals resulting in serious health risks. The bitumen binder, produced by oil refineries, acts as a flexible thermoplastic adhesive holding aggregates together in road pavements. 

    Technix is a world leader in the bitumen roading industry, thanks to the comprehensive laboratories we have built for the development of bituminous products. With the financial backing, by way of grants from RDTI, we have received significant and timely support which has been integral to our growth and success. The grants provided have accelerated our research and development efforts, enabling us to create advanced bituminous products in a timely manner. For the future, Technix is concentrating on the development and application of advanced bituminous products. 

    Without the assistance of RDTI, the progress we have achieved would have been significantly slower. RDTI staff have been consistently helpful in guiding us through the grant application processes, providing us with the expertise needed to navigate these opportunities. 

    We appreciate RDTI representatives for their ongoing support, expert advice, and the funding that has propelled Technix to continue to be a world leader in bituminous products. We look forward to continuing our successful relationship into the future.” - John B. Matthews, Managing Director

UneeQ

  • “As a NZ tech startup in the AI and digital human space - the RDTI has been immensely helpful for us. The space is highly competitive and fast moving - and so having the additional funding from RDTI allows us to invest more into research and development to allow us to have a chance of keeping up in the global competitive landscape.

    The process is relatively straightforward if you're clear about your R&D activities. The documentation is fairly comprehensive yet not onerous to understand and the RDTI team have been helpful in providing feedback and guidance when further feedback is required to have our grant application accepted.

    We'll continue taking advantage of the RDTI in the future. The amount of effort invested vs the grant received is absolutely worth it. The grant will be used to keep our R&D efforts high to keep ahead of our competition.” - Victor Yuen, Product Leader

Valocity

  • “Valocity facilitates end-to-end connectivity within the property ecosystem, leveraging unique solutions, data capture, and analytics to deliver transparent customer experiences, as well as supporting sustainable lending.

    With this continued Innovation it is great to know we have the support of the RDTI team, from reviewing our applications before submissions with suggestions of additional information and resources and supporting us through the application process. We will continue to use RDTI support in all our future large Innovation projects.” - Elizabeth Duke, Chief Financial Controller

Virsae Group Ltd

  • “The R&D Tax Incentive (RDTI) scheme has been of immense value for our business. Accessing the program was very straightforward, and the support available via guidelines and the RDTI team made the process easy to navigate through, ensuring we maximized the benefits available. 

    Thanks to the RDTI and the financial relief, we have been able to adequately fund our research and development efforts, accelerating innovation and driving new product development. 

    Given the significant impact it has had on our growth, we will absolutely continue leveraging the RDTI in the future. It’s an invaluable resource for any business looking to push the boundaries of innovation while maintaining financial sustainability.” - Shakti Harduar, Chief Financial Officer

Xtracta

  • “With the closure of the Callaghan Innovation Growth Grant, moving towards RDTI was a natural progression for our company. The procedure to apply for approval and then make claims was quite different to the growth grant and the criteria of what was covered also differed and was stricter in what we could apply for.

    While it took time for us to design and implement internal procedures to allow us to correctly account for the new allowances in the first year, from the 2nd year onwards applying for approval and then preparing the necessary reports for RDTI was smooth. It is important to use the resources that explain what is covered by RDTI to ensure compliance when calculating what may be covered. 

    RDTI has been extremely helpful for our R&D programme, encouraging us to invest more into the programme. We will continue to use it in the future.” - Jonathan Spence, Chief Executive Officer