Tailfin, a market-leading designer and manufacturer of innovative cycling accessories, has secured £600,000 in funding from the British Business Bank's South West Investment Fund, via the appointed fund manager FW Capital. This investment will fuel Tailfin’s ambitious expansion plans, strengthening its leadership position in the global cycling industry.
Based in Bristol, Tailfin is at the forefront of the rapidly growing bikepacking market. Bikepacking is an adventure-focused cycling discipline where cyclists carry all necessary gear directly on their bikes, often exploring off-road terrains such as gravel tracks, singletrack trails, and dirt paths, emphasising self-sufficiency and minimalism.
Tailfin is entering a pivotal stage of development and sought additional working capital to broaden its product range, leveraging cutting-edge technologies and advanced manufacturing processes. Significant investment is also being directed towards expanding the company's Bristol headquarters, creating a state-of-the-art R&D studio complete with new equipment, specialised tools, and enhanced prototyping capabilities. Additional funds are dedicated to enhancing the Tailfin brand by investing in high-quality video production equipment and a dedicated studio space, significantly improving the company's storytelling and market presence.
Founded in 2015 by mechanical engineer and product designer Nick Broadbent, Tailfin emerged from a passion-driven basement project into one of cycling’s most respected innovative brands. Initially, Tailfin redefined the conventional rack and pannier system, creating a universally compatible and aesthetically refined solution specifically designed to complement modern bicycles. The integrated design approach, blending hard and soft goods seamlessly, set new standards for performance and practicality. Today, Tailfin offers over twelve distinct product lines distributed from warehouses strategically located in the Netherlands, USA, and Europe.
Tailfin's Bristol headquarters hosts a highly skilled team of 25 industry-leading designers, marketers, and operational specialists, collaborating with specialist manufacturing partners across China, Vietnam, and Taiwan. This global approach extends further through partnerships with a worldwide network of R&D riders.
Nick Broadbent, Tailfin Founder said: “Innovation drives everything we do. Over a third of our dedicated team focuses exclusively on product development and engineering. This investment marks a significant milestone for Tailfin, enabling us to push the boundaries of design and technology further and to enhance our robust intellectual property portfolio, which already includes over 20 patents. Crucially, it also supports our growth strategy by enabling us to expand both our innovative product lines and our talented team of passionate cycling enthusiasts.”
He added: “Our recent office expansion reflects the continual growth of our team, and we're actively seeking additional talented individuals who share our passion for cycling and innovation.”
Broadbent praised the funding support, stating: “None of this would have been possible without FW Capital’s backing. FW Capital and the South West Investment Fund uniquely bridge a critical gap in the market, providing accessible capital on reasonable terms. Their funding complements our existing financial partnership with HSBC, which has provided equivalent short-term financing solutions.”
Jordan Berg represented FW Capital and led the deal. Jordan Berg, Investment Executive at FW Capital said: “Tailfin is a premium quality brand in the bikepacking world that have created an innovative range of products that appeal to all cyclists from commuters, adventure cyclists to world-class ultra endurance athletes. Nick’s vision to bring his products to market is very impressive and the success Tailfin has enjoyed is testament to that. As they enter their next journey of growth, we’re looking forward to seeing how the investment will support further innovation and assist this globally recognised business to bring more new products to this expanding and exciting market.”
Lizzy Upton from the British Business Bank said: “The South West Investment Fund was created to support ambitious businesses like Tailfin, helping them scale, innovate, and strengthen their market position. This investment reflects our commitment to fostering regional economic growth by providing the right funding at the right time. Tailfin’s pioneering approach to cycling accessories, combined with its commitment to high-quality design and engineering, makes it an exciting business to support. We look forward to seeing the impact of this funding on Tailfin’s expansion, product development, and job creation in the South West."
The South West Investment Fund covers the entire South West region and provides loans from £25k to £2m and equity investment up to £5m to help small and medium sized businesses to start up, scale up or stay ahead. Fund manager FW Capital provides debt finance using the South West Investment Fund to businesses in Bristol, Gloucestershire, North and North East Somerset and Wiltshire.
The purpose of the South West Investment Fund is to drive sustainable economic growth by supporting innovation and creating local opportunity for new and growing businesses across the South West. It provides loans from £25k to £2m and equity investment up to £5m to help small and medium sized businesses to start up, scale up or stay ahead.
The South West Investment Fund is increasing the supply and diversity of early-stage finance for South West smaller businesses, providing funds to firms that might otherwise not receive investment and helping to break down barriers in access to finance.
