Another possibility?
If the objective is to develop a 'conventional' light helicopter for eventual production, what about buying a timed-out R-22 and dropping the certification?
Might a timed-out R-22 be safer and cheaper to start with than beginning with a totally new design? In addition, the patents may have expired.
This R-22 could then be modified to reduce the weight sufficiently to get into the new Very Light Rotorcraft categories. It could then be modified as desired to arrive at the final objective. This craft might then become the trainer of choice should Robinson quit producing the R-22.
Dave