Two Female-Led UK FinTechs Join Forces as Cashflows Invests in Tap & Go

Jan de Vries · 2026-08-14

When two ambitious payment companies come together, the results can reshape an entire industry. That's exactly what's happening in the UK FinTech scene right now, as London-based Cashflows has made a strategic investment in Blackpool's Tap & Go. While the financial details remain under wraps, this move signals something bigger than just a check being written. Tap & Go, a startup that spun out of the International Connections Group (ICG) in 2022, specializes in card payment machines and business cash advances. Founded by Anna McDonald and Nichola Eagle, the company has carved out a niche helping businesses of all sizes accept payments seamlessly. Now, with Cashflows backing them, they're ready to take things to the next level. ### What This Investment Means for Tap & Go For Tap & Go, this isn't just about money—it's about momentum. The company plans to use the capital to expand its product offerings across new verticals, including universities, stadiums, dentistry, hotels, builders' merchants, and the motor sector. They're also investing in their people and building stronger brand awareness to attract new customers organically. Anna McDonald, Managing Director at Tap & Go, put it perfectly: "We are building a brand and proposition that means customers come to Tap & Go because they know we can support them wherever their growth takes them. We are very proud to be a challenger in our own space and working with Cashflows, itself a challenger acquirer, bringing a shared level of tenacity, ambition and drive." ### A Partnership Built on Shared Values Founded in 2010 and led by CEO Hannah Fitzsimons, Cashflows makes it easy for growing businesses and financial institutions to accept card and digital payments. Through its own acquiring platform and gateway, the company provides a secure ecosystem for processing payments across Europe. What makes this deal particularly noteworthy is the leadership dynamic. Both companies are female-led, which is still rare in the FinTech world. Fitzsimons is joining forces with McDonald and Eagle, creating a powerful trio that's determined to challenge the status quo. McDonald added, "There's something particularly powerful about two female-led businesses coming together with that mindset, as together, we can be ambitious about what we build and deliver for our customers." The partnership actually began in 2025 as a commercial arrangement, with Cashflows providing the infrastructure and transaction settlement services for Tap & Go's card machines. But it quickly became clear that there was potential for something deeper, and this investment is the natural evolution of that relationship. ### Looking Ahead: What's Next for These Two Companies For Cashflows, this investment is part of a broader growth strategy. The company is actively exploring further strategic investment opportunities, and this deal demonstrates their commitment to building out their ecosystem. By working more closely with Tap & Go, they can unlock new growth areas by combining their respective strengths. Fitzsimons explained, "While the relationship may have started as a commercial partnership, this is not simply a financial investment—we believe in what Tap & Go are building and the energy from the team is palpable. This is a real opportunity to combine their drive and customer focus with our experience and expertise to accelerate the next stage of growth for Tap & Go." For businesses watching this space, the takeaway is clear: the payments industry is consolidating, and partnerships like this one are becoming more common. Companies that can combine innovation with scale will be the ones that thrive. And with two female-led challengers joining forces, the future looks bright for both Tap & Go and Cashflows.