Ground anchor producer uses £25,000 Start Up Loan to bring innovative product to market
Updated: 5 days ago
Typhoon Anchor (Typhoon Anchor Products Ltd) are a product development business based in Derbyshire. They produce reusable anchoring systems for securing shelters, temporary structures, and equipment in challenging ground conditions.
Founder Mike Dean wanted to solve a practical problem: how to secure a structure reliably when the ground offers poor grip, without relying on heavy or complicated equipment. It was a challenge that appealed to him.
He wanted to develop something useful that people could carry, install, and recover easily.
Turning that initial idea into a viable product took Mike years of design work, prototypes, testing, and refinement. Yet, all that hard work paid off, as Typhoon Anchor’s products were ready for market.
The next step was manufacturing and with that came the need for further investment.
Mike began with an idea and a wealth of experience from his time with the Royal Engineers
In Mike’s words: “I served in the Royal Engineers, working in airfield support and battlefield infrastructure, before moving into civil construction project management. Both gave me a practical understanding of how structures are installed, the pressures on the people doing the work and the importance of dependable equipment.
“That background shaped my approach to Typhoon Anchor. Holding performance matters, but so do weight, ease of use, transport, and recovery. I want to produce equipment that makes sense to the person using it on the ground, as well as to the business buying it.”
Typhoon Anchor’s lead product, the Typhoon Anchor-Ground (TA-G), is designed to secure tents and other outdoor structures in loose soil. It is driven into the ground with a mallet and can be removed for reuse. It can be used for:
Military field shelters and equipment
Expedition and adventure equipment
Emergency/disaster relief shelters and equipment
Family camping and leisure equipment
Enhanced beach, sand, and granular terrain anchoring
Event structures and temporary installations.
Mike approached First Enterprise for funding to help take Typhoon Anchor through its next stage of development and towards production.
As Mike said: “Developing a physical product involves substantial work and expense before sales can begin, so access to finance at this stage makes a real difference. I was looking for support that suited the stage of the business and helped me move forward with a clear plan. I have now received the full loan amount, and I am very pleased with both the outcome and the service I received.”
A £25,000 Start Up Loan through First Enterprise enabled Typhoon Anchor to start the next stage of their product development
Start Up Loans can be accessed by any eligible entrepreneur or business, provided they meet the qualifying criteria. That includes businesses that have been trading for under five years like Typhoon Anchor.
Mike was able to access a £25,000 Start Up Loan through First Enterprise to begin the next stage of Typhoon Anchor’s product development and growth.
Mike is using the funding to support the next steps towards bringing the TA-G to market.
Typhoon Anchor’s immediate focus involves:
Getting the product ready for manufacturing
Preparing for initial units to be evaluated by prospective customers.
Mike’s Start Up Loan has provided greater flexibility and manoeuvrability as he moves the business forward and converts the work already done through research and development into a real, practical product customers can purchase.
Mike was guided through his journey by his Business Advisor, Rosa Iskandar
Throughout the Start Up Loan journey with First Enterprise, you’ll be guided, mentored, and supported by one of our Business Advisors. Mike benefited from the experience and nous of Rosa Iskandar, who ensured his experience was smooth, efficient, and well-supported.
Mike said of his experience with First Enterprise: “Rosa’s guidance and practical advice made the whole process with First Enterprise straightforward. She took the time to understand Typhoon Anchor and what I needed to move the business forward, and was approachable and supportive throughout.
"After years of developing the product, securing this funding is an important step towards production. I’m grateful to Rosa and First Enterprise for helping make that possible.”
Meanwhile, Rosa said of working with Mike and Typhoon Anchor: “Working with Mike was a wonderful experience. From the get go I could tell he was incredibly knowledgeable and had a really strong business idea.
"Communication and collaboration were great, and I’m honestly thrilled we were able to get him the funding needed to take Typhoon Anchor to the next stage of development.”
Need funding to take your fledgling business to the next level? Get in touch today!
It’s a common mistake to assume a Start Up Loan is just for setting up a brand-new business from scratch. The scheme can be utilised by eligible business owners within their first five years of trading.
It can help you overcome short-term obstacles and give you the funding required to grow your business.
If you have a business that needs a boost to reach the goals you’ve set, a Start Up Loan could be the solution.
If you have a business idea you’d like to bring to life or an established business that’s primed to grow, loan funding could be the key.
The first step is simple: have a conversation with our team. Get in touch with one of our advisors and begin your application journey by completing the enquiry form below or by giving us a call at 03456 027 355.
It could be the difference between having a product in development and putting it in the hands of interested customers.
