Based in Abermule, Powys, Stashed Products is making bike storage smarter and helping people around the world reclaim their space. With support from the Welsh Government’s Innovation team, the company has launched new products, secured IP protections and grown its team - turning an idea developed in a home workshop into a global success story.
Established by design engineer and lifelong cycling enthusiast, Elliot Tanner, the company started with a challenge: how to store several bikes safely and accessibly in a small home. His solution - a ceiling-mounted sliding rail system - was the first of many innovations that are now shipped to more than 45 countries.
The company even appeared on BBC’s Dragons’ Den in 2023, gaining national interest - though ultimately chose to grow the business independently.
Elliot Tanner, Managing Director and Founder of Stashed Products, said: “We never thought this would be anything more than a cottage industry. But now we’ve got three factory units, a growing team, and customers all over the world. It’s taken off faster than we ever expected.”
The company received its first SMART Flexible Innovation Support (SFIS) funding in April 2023, enabling it to develop and commercialise a new generation of bike storage systems. Over two years, this support allowed the company to:
- Redevelop its flagship SpaceRail product for mass production and retail.
- Launch a new freestanding bike storage system.
- Design an upcoming storage solution for accessories.
- Create compact packaging to minimise warehousing needs and simplify shipping.
The flexibility of the SFIS funding allowed the company to adapt its innovation plan to real-time market feedback, ensuring each new product launch was commercially viable and technically sound. In November 2024, the business also received an IP Audit through the Innovation team, conducted by the Intellectual Property Office (IPO), which helped strengthen its protection and explore new commercial opportunities.
Elliot explained: “Support like SFIS allows you to take risks. As a small business, that’s a big deal. It meant we could hire, develop and refine - getting new products market-ready and protected.
“The audit gave us a clear action plan. It showed us where we were exposed and helped us think more strategically about how to use our IP - beyond just selling products.”
The impact of the company’s innovation has been clear:
- Turnover has grown from £85,000 to £1.9 million in just two years.
- Its team has grown from one to 12 employees, supporting local job creation.
- More than 25,000 bikes have been stored using its systems, helping households around the world reclaim valuable space.
- 80% of orders are now shipped internationally, demonstrating strong global demand for Welsh-made products.
Its success was recognised with the King’s Award for Innovation in May 2025. The award is the highest official honour for British businesses and highlights the company’s standout approach to product innovation and manufacturing.
Stashed Products has also been accepted onto the Innovate UK Business Growth Scale-up Programme and is planning another Welsh Government SFIS application, alongside new digital productivity support launching in 2025.
The company’s work supports the Welsh Government’s Innovation Strategy priorities by creating skilled jobs in rural Wales, encouraging active travel and reducing environmental impact. By helping more people store bikes safely in small spaces, it removes barriers to cycling, supporting healthier lifestyles and low-carbon transport. Its local-first manufacturing approach also helps boost the local economy and cut emissions.
Find out more about how SMART Flexible Innovation Support (FIS) can support your organisation. Visit Business Wales Innovation to learn more.