Two Female-Led UK FinTechs Just Joined Forces—Here's What It Means

Jan de Vries · 2026-08-14

When two ambitious companies in the payments space decide to team up, you pay attention. That's exactly what's happening with Cashflows, a London-based FinTech that helps businesses accept payments, and Tap & Go, a Blackpool startup specializing in card payment tech and merchant services. Cashflows has just invested in Tap & Go, and while the exact dollar amount wasn't disclosed, the move speaks volumes about where both companies are headed. This isn't just another investment round. It's a meeting of minds, a shared vision, and—let's be honest—a pretty powerful story about two female-led businesses deciding they can do more together than apart. Let's break down what this means for the companies, their customers, and the broader FinTech landscape. ### The Backstory: Who Are These Companies? Tap & Go came onto the scene in 2022, founded by Anna McDonald and Nichola Eagle as part of the International Connections Group (ICG). The company recently spun out on its own, and it's been carving out a niche by providing card payment machines and business cash advances for companies of all sizes. Their pitch? Be the partner that grows with you, no matter where your business takes you. Cashflows, on the other hand, has been around since 2010. Led by CEO Hannah Fitzsimons, it's built a secure ecosystem for processing payments across Europe. Through its own acquiring platform and gateway, Cashflows helps growing businesses and financial institutions accept card and digital payments without the headache of juggling multiple providers. ### Why This Investment Matters Here's the thing about partnerships in FinTech: they often start small and grow into something much bigger. That's exactly what happened here. The two companies began working together in 2025, with Cashflows providing the infrastructure and transaction settlement services for Tap & Go's card machines. But that commercial relationship has evolved into something deeper—an actual investment. For Tap & Go, this capital injection is about growth. Plain and simple. The company plans to: - Expand beyond card payments into e-commerce, virtual payments, and multi-site solutions - Invest in its people and build stronger brand awareness - Enter new verticals like universities, stadiums, dentistry, hotels, builders' merchants, and the motor sector - Attract new customers organically by strengthening its market reputation That's a solid roadmap. And with Cashflows' expertise behind them, Tap & Go isn't just getting money—they're getting a partner who's been through the trenches. ### The Power of Two Female-Led Businesses Let's take a moment to appreciate what's happening here. McDonald and Eagle are joining forces with Fitzsimons, and that's not something you see every day in the FinTech world. As McDonald put it, "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." That sentiment resonates. Both companies identify as challengers in their space—Tap & Go as a challenger in merchant services, Cashflows as a challenger acquirer. When you combine that tenacity with a shared drive, you get something that's more than the sum of its parts. ### What's Next for Tap & Go and Cashflows? Fitzsimons is clear that this isn't just a financial transaction. "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," she said. That's the kind of conviction that drives real innovation. For Cashflows, the investment signals a wider growth strategy. The company is exploring further strategic investment opportunities, which suggests this could be the first of many moves. And for Tap & Go, the future looks bright: more products, more verticals, and a partner that's genuinely invested in their success. ### The Bottom Line This deal is a reminder that in FinTech, collaboration often beats competition. Two challengers, one shared vision, and a whole lot of potential. Whether you're a small business looking for payment solutions or just someone who appreciates a good underdog story, this is one partnership worth watching.