Samantha Morgan

Samantha Morgan is the founder of TaluCard, a company developing innovative payment solutions for visually impaired and accessibility-challenged users. With 10 years experience in fintech, she recognised how digital payment technologies often exclude vulnerable users.

In the UK, over 2 million individuals with sight loss face barriers to conducting secure, independent financial transactions. While modern payment technologies and Strong Customer Authentication requirements enhance security, they also create significant accessibility challenges. Additionally, the widespread adoption of smart device payments has deepened the digital divide, as. 73% of blind or partially sighted individuals don’t use smart devices due to cost or accessibility issues (RNIB).

TaluCard addresses these challenges through two patent-pending innovations: Tactile Guidance Markers for precise fingerprint sensor location, and Visual Impaired Access enabling auditory transaction confirmation.

“Our mission is to make secure financial transactions accessible to everyone, regardless of ability or circumstance, by developing innovative technology with inclusivity at its core,” says Samantha.

Her achievements include winning an Innovate UK SMART Grant in 2023 and serving as ambassador for Accessible Hospitality and AccessFirst, a pioneering global accessibility certification initiative.

“Being a Women in Innovation Award winner is both an honour and a validation of my journey and our mission,” says Sam. “This award carries a responsibility – to lead by example and show that women can excel and innovate in traditionally male-dominated sectors.”

“One of the biggest barriers I’ve had to address was getting investors to take me seriously,” Sam reflects. “I focused on refining my presentations to pre-empt every possible question, grounding my pitches in solid data and demonstrating our results.”

Her advice to aspiring innovators? “Being a woman in innovation should not be seen as a disadvantage. Focus on your unique skills and potential. Your perspective and abilities are your greatest assets; embrace them fully and let them drive your work forward.”

For more information on Women in Innovation

Find out more about the Women in Innovation Award and other support available across the Innovate UK ecosystem on the Women in Innovation programme page.