The new capital will drive Riverchain’s expansion across Hong Kong and Southeast Asia and accelerate its investment in origination, distribution, and credit technology capabilities designed to simplify and speed up access to working capital for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the construction sector.
Addressing the Construction Industry’s Liquidity Gap
Riverchain was founded to address one of the construction industry’s biggest pain points: the chronic liquidity gap faced by subcontractors. In Hong Kong alone, an estimated US$7 billion is tied up annually in delayed or variable payments, making it difficult for SMEs to manage cash flows and take on new growth opportunities.
Since its inception in January 2024, Riverchain has deployed over US$100 million in capital, supporting 115 public and private projects in Hong Kong. These include major infrastructure and landmark developments such as the Northern Metropolis and Kai Tak Sports Park.
By offering agile, data-driven working capital solutions, Riverchain enables contractors to access funds quickly and flexibly — empowering them to grow their businesses while contributing to Asia’s rapidly evolving built environment.
“The closing of our Series A validates our mission to empower subcontractors and provides the capital needed to scale our technology and expand our reach,” said Ben Wong, Founder and CEO of Riverchain. “By combining specialised financial products with a data-driven platform, we are modernising the construction industry and helping a new generation of builders grow with confidence and transparency.”
Strengthening Technology and Regional Expansion
The US$5 million Series A follows a US$1.2 million Seed round earlier this year, which included participation from the Republic Asia Ecosystem Fund. With this new funding, Riverchain plans to:
- Expand its footprint across key Asia-Pacific markets where subcontractors face similar financing constraints;
- Enhance its proprietary operating system, including data-rich credit underwriting models and embedded financing capabilities; and
- Develop distribution technology to offer institutional investors transparent, institutional-grade access to alternative credit assets.
Riverchain will continue to collaborate with its financing and distribution partners — including Chong Hing Bank, ARTA TechFin, Abound Capital, and Olea — to strengthen financing solutions for main contractors, subcontractors, and related SMEs in the construction value chain.
“Despite its large size, the construction industry is still in the early stages of digital transformation,” said Matthias Knobloch, Managing Partner and CEO of Betatron Venture Group. “Riverchain’s integrated approach and leading market position allow it to play a meaningful role in shaping the future of the industry.”
Adrian Cheng, Venture Builder, added: “We’re at a pivotal moment where technology, finance, and infrastructure are converging to drive the next wave of economic growth. Riverchain is harnessing innovation to transform construction opportunities into pathways for long-term progress across regions.”
Enabling Growth Through Liquidity and Technology
Through its combination of liquidity, technology, and strategic partnerships, Riverchain aims to bridge the persistent payment gap that hinders SME contractors across the construction supply chain. The company’s bespoke financing products — including factoring, invoice financing, and cash-flow-based loans — are designed to provide fast, flexible access to capital based on project performance and verified receivables.
Riverchain’s proprietary technology platform not only enables efficient credit decisioning but also brings greater transparency to the financing process. This positions the company as a trusted partner for contractors, suppliers, and financiers seeking scalable, transparent, and data-backed solutions to support infrastructure growth.
As the company scales its operations and enters new markets, Riverchain remains committed to setting the standard for data-driven and tailored financing solutions that empower contractors to grow sustainably and confidently.
