Gilo Industries

About Gilo Industries

Gilo Industries Group is an aerospace and defense technology company founded in 2012 by Gilo Cardozo. The company's origins trace back to Cardozo's early passion for flight and mechanical engineering, which began with building his first engine at age 14 and later founding Parajet International in 2000 after being dissatisfied with the design of an early paramotor. A significant milestone occurred in 2007 when Cardozo, in collaboration with adventurer Bear Grylls, developed a revolutionary rotary engine to power a paramotor flight over Mount Everest. This achievement led to the formal establishment of the Gilo Industries Group and its subsidiary, Rotron Power, in 2008 to commercialize this engine technology.

The group operates through several distinct business units, each targeting different segments of the aviation and high-performance vehicle markets. Rotron Power specializes in manufacturing advanced rotary engines for Unmanned Aeronautical Vehicles (UAVs), serving clients in the defense and commercial aerospace sectors, including partnerships with BAE Systems and Raytheon Missile Systems. Parajet remains a world-leading manufacturer of paramotors (foot-launched powered paragliders) for the recreational aviation market. Other ventures include Mako Boardsports, which produces motorized surfboards; Crighton Motorcycles, which has developed a high-performance rotary-powered racing bike; and Gilo Industries Applied Technologies, a consultancy offering engineering, design, and prototyping services.

The company's business model is centered on developing and manufacturing high-power-to-weight ratio propulsion systems and personal aircraft for a global client base across recreational, commercial, and military applications. Revenue is generated through the sale of these specialized products and engineering consultancy services. In January 2017, the company secured a significant $30 million investment from the Chinese technology group Kuang-Chi to commercialize its technology further and expand into the Asia-Pacific market. According to PitchBook, the company's status is listed as 'Out of Business' as of August 2021.