The Niko reps would be dumb to comment at all until the issue is resolved. So, I wouldn't bother looking for further info.
I doubt that Niko was "taken". Likely, they just got in over their heads on something and they were thin on cash ($60k isn't that much in a viable company). Happens to small companies all the time. Growth usually involves risk, and in the early stages of a company the consequences of poor choices, or ventures that take more time or $$ than expected, can have results like we are seeing with Niko.
Development projects come in over budged/sched ALL THE TIME. I'd say it's built into the quoting process. Don't ask how I know.