Inventing the Impossible: Nimo Rotem on Building Game-Changing Tools

Innovation often begins with a challenge that seems impossible to solve. For Nimo Rotem, that challenge came in 2012 when the Israeli Army asked him to invent an underwater drill. With a mechanical engineering background and a passion for problem-solving, Rotem didn’t just meet the request—he revolutionized an entire industry. What started as a specialized tool for military and scientific use evolved into Nemo Power Tools, the world’s first and only line of fully submersible, battery-powered tools.

But Rotem didn’t stop there. In 2019, he launched GRABO, a vacuum-powered lifting tool that transformed how professionals in construction, manufacturing, and beyond handle heavy materials. As an entrepreneur, inventor, and investor, he thrives at the intersection of engineering and business, constantly pushing boundaries to develop products that make work easier, faster, and more efficient.

In this interview, Rotem shares his journey from building his first prototype to leading multiple successful companies. He discusses the challenges of bringing groundbreaking ideas to market, the strategies that have fueled his success, and the lessons he’s learned along the way. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, an innovator, or simply someone who appreciates cutting-edge technology, Rotem’s insights offer valuable takeaways on what it takes to turn bold ideas into reality.

Tell us about yourself and your business.

I’m Nimo Rotem, a visionary entrepreneur, maker, and investor shaping global industries through my products and ventures, with a strong track record in hardware innovation, manufacturing, and business development. With a mechanical engineering degree from the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, I have honed my expertise across multiple fields, including technology development, entrepreneurship, and angel investing.

In 2012, I co-founded Nemo Power Tools, which specializes in cordless underwater power tools. Then, in 2019, I co-founded GRABO to revolutionize the construction and manufacturing industries with cutting-edge professional tools. Beyond Nemo Power Tools and GRABO, I have played instrumental roles in the establishment and growth of several groundbreaking companies, including Gizmo Maker, which focuses on innovative engineering solutions; and Mecbit, a 3D printing startup that was acquired in 2012.

My passion for transformative technology drives my support of emerging tech ventures. My investment portfolio includes pioneering companies like Netlify, Stackbit, and Flytrex, as well as ventures beyond tech, such as Numina Studio, Cloud Compiler, and Lifewand.

How does your business make money?

Nemo Power Tools pioneered the world’s first and only fully submersible, battery-operated power tools, revolutionizing how professionals work in, around, and underwater. Since our founding, we have continuously expanded our product line to include a wide range of heavy-duty tools, including multiple models of drills, impact wrenches, impact drivers, angle grinders, and hammer drills — all designed for performance above and below the surface.

Our innovation doesn’t stop there. We introduced a powerful 15,000-lumen dive light, enhancing visibility for both commercial and recreational divers. We also launched a rugged, cordless SDS Rotary Hammer, and a brushless-motor hammer drill capable of operating at depths of up to 100 meters. Additionally, our latest battery-operated, handheld boat hull cleaning brush makes vessel maintenance faster and more efficient for professionals and boat owners. With more cutting-edge products on the horizon, Nemo Power Tools continues to redefine what’s possible in underwater and extreme-condition work.

What was your inspiration for starting the business?

In 2012, the Israeli Army gave me an unusual challenge: inventing an underwater drill. Determined to tackle the problem, I earned my scuba certification and got to work, ultimately developing the world’s first fully submersible, battery-powered, handheld drill — a groundbreaking tool now trusted by the militaries of 10 countries. This innovation led to the founding of Nemo Power Tools, which has since expanded its product line to include impact wrenches, angle grinders, and hammer drills, all designed to perform in the most demanding underwater and extreme environments. 

How and when did you launch the business?

Originally custom-designed in 2012 for scientific and government organizations, the Nemo V1 Drill set a new standard for underwater power tools. By 2013, we adapted this groundbreaking technology for commercial use and began production.

With nearly 100 distributors and dealers in 45 countries, we’re proud to offer Nemo’s cutting-edge innovation and quality to professionals worldwide.

How is the business funded? 

Nemo Power Tools is entirely bootstrapped and we have grown and scaled the business without venture capital. Our success is driven by innovation, customer demand, and strategic reinvestment in our products and technology, ensuring we continue to develop high-quality, industry-leading vacuum lifting solutions that meet our customers’ real-world needs.

How did you find your first few clients or customers?

While working on a project for a naval defense contractor, I recognized a critical need for power tools that could function underwater. That realization sparked the creation of an entire line of fully submersible power tools, capable of operating at depths of up to 100 meters. I’m always searching for gaps in the market — problems waiting to be solved — and once I identify one, my engineer’s mind goes to work, turning ideas into groundbreaking innovations.

Today, Nemo Power Tools is trusted worldwide by commercial and research divers, pool professionals, boat owners, plumbers, construction workers, military divers, and rescue teams, among many others. From boat servicing and aquarium maintenance to underwater construction, these tools redefine what’s possible beneath the surface.

What was your first year in business like?

In our first year of business in 2012, we focused entirely on custom-designing and building the Nemo V1 Drill for scientific and government organizations. As we saw its potential to benefit a much wider audience, we shifted our focus to adapting the technology for commercial use. By the following year, we had refined the design and begun full-scale production, bringing the world’s first fully submersible, battery-powered drill to a broader market.

What strategies did you use to grow the business?

At Nemo Power Tools, we collaborate closely with our partners and clients to understand their needs and develop solutions that make their work faster and more efficient. Our passion for innovation and commitment to quality drives us to integrate cutting-edge technologies into our products. We leverage advanced technologies from various high-tech industries—batteries and electronics from the drone industry, cooling technology from the computer industry, and sealing and fabrication methods from the marine industry — to create powerful, reliable tools designed for extreme environments.

What was the biggest challenge you had to overcome?

We encountered design challenges that seemed impossible to overcome — until we brought in end-users and technicians with vastly different backgrounds, many of whom had no direct connection to our product. Their fresh perspectives led to a breakthrough solution we hadn’t considered. This experience reinforced a valuable lesson: innovation often comes from the most unexpected places. Encouraging diverse voices and ideas within a team can unlock creative solutions that might otherwise go unnoticed. You never know where the next great idea will come from.

What have been the most significant keys to your business’ success?

The most significant keys to our business’ success have been staying open-minded, encouraging experimentation, and always striving to understand our customers’ needs. We prioritize staying updated with emerging technologies and trends, as this allows us to innovate and provide cutting-edge solutions. Collaboration across different disciplines within our team has also been essential, as it brings new perspectives and ideas to the table.

Personally, resilience has played a huge role in our success. I’m driven to turn ideas into tangible, functioning products, and I’ll stay up for days working on a project until it’s completed. I also believe in continuous learning, and I’m always exploring the latest technologies or software to improve both my engineering skills and leadership capabilities.

One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned is the importance of staying close to our customers. They are our best innovators. By engaging with them regularly through forums, surveys, direct interactions, and live events, we can truly understand their needs and pain points, which drives our product development and innovation.

Tell us about your team.

I’m fortunate to work with a team of highly skilled engineers from around the world who take my sometimes (very) rough ideas and homemade prototypes and refine them into fully functional, high-performance products. From initial concept to factory production, their expertise turns innovation into reality. But Nemo Power Tools is more than just engineering — we rely on a dedicated team of marketing and social media specialists, sales professionals, and warehouse managers, all of whom play a vital role in driving our success.

What are some of your favorite books, blogs, podcasts, or YouTube channels?

Some of my favorite books that challenge conventional thinking and drive innovation include:

• Zero to One by Peter Thiel – A deep dive into building truly groundbreaking businesses.
• The Innovation Stack by Jim McKelvey – A fascinating look at how disruptive companies succeed.
• Delivering Happiness by Tony Hsieh – Insights on customer experience and company culture.
• The Lean Startup by Eric Ries – A must-read for iterative product development.
• Crossing the Chasm by Geoffrey Moore – Essential for scaling innovative products.
• Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink – Leadership lessons that apply to business and beyond.

These books shape my approach to product development, leadership, and scaling a business while staying true to GRABO’s mission.

What was the turning point when you knew your business was successful?

After years of building Nemo Power Tools into a self-sustaining brand, I finally had the opportunity to develop my next groundbreaking invention: GRABO, which launched in 2019. I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have created not just one but two game-changing, one-of-a-kind tools that have redefined their industries.

What separates your business from your competitors?

Nemo Power Tools are the first of their kind and the world’s only completely submersible battery-operated power tools. From rescue diving and underwater construction to plumbing, coral reef conservation, aquarium maintenance, and boat servicing, our tools are solving problems where no others can. 

Even the pharmaceutical world has taken notice: Companies use our fully sealed clean room series tools in sterilized, particle-free environments, proving their value on land, sea, and beyond.

What advice do you have for other entrepreneurs?

Fostering interdisciplinary collaboration is key to innovation, as breakthroughs often happen at the intersection of different fields. For example, we once partnered with a software development team to integrate smart features into our tools, enabling data collection on usage patterns. While this was outside our traditional expertise, it significantly enhanced our product offerings. By encouraging cross-disciplinary teamwork within your organization, you can uncover innovative solutions that a single-focused approach might overlook.