Two Female-Led UK FinTechs Just Joined Forces—Here's Why It Matters

Jan de Vries · 2026-08-14

When two challenger brands 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 card and digital payments, and Tap & Go, a Blackpool-based startup specializing in card payment technology and merchant services. The investment amount wasn't disclosed, but the move signals something bigger than money changing hands. Tap & Go plans to funnel this capital into growth, giving customers access to a broader product lineup across more industries. Meanwhile, the two companies will keep building on their commercial partnership—which started back in 2025 when Cashflows began providing the infrastructure and transaction settlement for Tap & Go's card machines. ### A Partnership Built on Shared Grit Anna McDonald, Managing Director at Tap & Go, puts it plainly: "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." She's proud of being a challenger in her space, and she sees that same fire in Cashflows. "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's not just corporate speak. McDonald founded Tap & Go in 2022 alongside 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 offering card payment machines and business cash advances for companies of all sizes. ### What Cashflows Brings to the Table Cashflows isn't new to this game. Founded in 2010 and led by CEO Hannah Fitzsimons, the company has built a secure ecosystem for processing payments across Europe. It's not just about the tech—it's about making payments feel effortless for growing businesses and financial institutions alike. Fitzsimons is clear about why this investment goes beyond a simple 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 sees this as a chance to combine Tap & Go's drive and customer focus with Cashflows' experience and expertise to accelerate the next stage of growth. ### What's Next for Tap & Go? The investment opens doors. Tap & Go is expanding beyond card payments into e-commerce, virtual payments, and multi-site solutions. They're also putting money into their people, building brand awareness, and strengthening their market reputation to pull in new customers organically. Here's where things get interesting: they're moving into new verticals like: - Universities and stadiums - Dentistry and hotels - Builders' merchants and the motor sector That's a wide net, and it shows ambition. By leveraging Cashflows' expertise, Tap & Go can move faster and smarter than it could on its own. ### Why This Deal Matters This isn't just another FinTech investment. It's two female-led businesses choosing to back each other, which is still rare in a male-dominated industry. It's also a signal that Cashflows is thinking bigger, with more strategic investments on the horizon. For customers, the takeaway is simple: if you're using Tap & Go's card machines, you're likely to see more options and better service in the coming months. And for anyone watching the European payments space, this is a partnership worth keeping an eye on. The deal might not have a public price tag, but the potential payoff—for both companies and their customers—looks substantial.