Two Female-Led UK FinTechs Just United to Challenge the Payments Status Quo

Jan de Vries · 2026-08-14

The payments space keeps throwing curveballs, and this one's a doozy. Cashflows, a London-based FinTech that simplifies card and digital payments for growing businesses, just dropped an investment into Tap & Go, a Blackpool startup carving out a name in card payment tech and merchant services. They didn't say how much money changed hands, but the move speaks volumes about where both companies are headed. Tap & Go isn't wasting any time with this fresh capital. The plan is to pour it straight into growth, expanding their product lineup across more industries while deepening the commercial partnership with Cashflows. For customers, that means more options and better support as their needs evolve. ### A Partnership Built on Shared Grit Anna McDonald, Managing Director at Tap & Go, couldn't hide her excitement. "We're building a brand where customers come to us because they know we'll back them wherever growth takes them," she said. "Being a challenger in our own space, and teaming up with Cashflows—itself a challenger acquirer—brings a shared level of tenacity, ambition, and drive. There's something especially powerful about two female-led businesses joining forces with that mindset. Together, we can dream bigger and deliver more for our customers." Tap & Go launched in 2022, founded by Anna McDonald and Nichola Eagle under the International Connections Group (ICG) umbrella. They recently spun out on their own. The company focuses on card payment machines and business cash advances, built to serve everyone from local shops to larger operations. Cashflows, meanwhile, has been at this since 2010. Led by CEO Hannah Fitzsimons, the company runs its own acquiring platform and gateway, offering a secure ecosystem for processing payments across Europe. It's a solid foundation, and now it's about to get even stronger. ### What This Investment Unlocks This isn't just a handshake and a check. The two companies started working together in 2025, with Cashflows handling the infrastructure and transaction settlement for Tap & Go's card machines. Now, that relationship has leveled up. - Tap & Go will expand beyond card payments into e-commerce, virtual payments, and multi-site solutions. - The capital will fund hiring, boost brand awareness, and strengthen market reputation to pull in new customers organically. - New verticals are on the horizon: universities, stadiums, dentistry, hotels, builders' merchants, and the motor sector. It's a bold move that plays to both companies' strengths. Cashflows brings the tech and experience; Tap & Go brings the hustle and customer focus. Fitzsimons sees this as more than a financial transaction. "While the relationship started as a commercial partnership, this isn't simply an investment," she said. "We believe in what Tap & Go is building, and the energy from their team is palpable. This is a real chance to combine their drive with our expertise to accelerate their next stage of growth." For Cashflows, this investment also signals a broader strategy. They're actively exploring more strategic opportunities, and this deal shows they're serious about growth through partnership. ### What's Next for Tap & Go The road ahead looks busy. With fresh funding and a stronger partner in its corner, Tap & Go is positioning itself as a serious player in the payments game. Expanding into new sectors means more businesses will get access to reliable, flexible payment solutions. It's also a win for the broader FinTech community. Two female-led companies making waves in a traditionally male-dominated space? That's worth paying attention to. For now, the focus is on execution. Tap & Go has the tools, the team, and the backing to make things happen. If they pull this off, they won't just be a challenger—they'll be a force to reckon with.