Earlytrade Raises $25M to Expand Construction Payment Platform, AI Capabilities

Earlytrade has raised a total of $25 million in funding as the construction payments technology company expands its U.S. operations and invests in agentic artificial intelligence for the construction payments ecosystem.

The global fintech company announced June 9 that its funding includes a Series A round led by S3 Ventures and Brick & Mortar Ventures. According to the company, the investment will support two priorities: expanding commercial operations in the United States and integrating agentic AI into its subcontractor payments marketplace.

Earlytrade operates a payments platform designed for the construction industry that allows general contractors to manage working capital with subcontractors. The company said the marketplace gives contractors the ability to secure supply chains and support project delivery while allowing subcontractors greater flexibility in accessing capital tied to completed work.

Since launching in the United States in 2024, Earlytrade reported 7X revenue growth, expansion of its network to more than 211,000 subcontractors and facilitation of more than $3 billion in early payments globally.

The announcement comes as payment timing continues to affect many construction businesses. According to the release, subcontractors in the U.S. construction industry often wait 60 to 90 days for payment, creating working capital challenges. Earlytrade said its platform is intended to help subcontractors access funds already owed to them on a flexible timeline.

“Every dollar that flows through a construction project passes through a payment bottleneck that has never been solved at scale. Earlytrade has built the infrastructure layer that makes agentic AI in this space possible,” said Charlie Plauche, General Partner at S3 Ventures. “That combination of a proven two-sided marketplace and a genuine AI deployment path is exactly what we look for when we back a category-defining company.”

Dave Anderskow, CFO at Power Construction, said the platform provides subcontractors with additional flexibility.

“Subcontractors value having flexibility in how and when they access capital to support their businesses,” said Anderskow. “Earlytrade's marketplace allows us to invest in our trade partners' growth in a way that is both disciplined and sustainable.”

Founded in Australia in 2018, Earlytrade said it relocated its incorporation to the United States this year. The company stated the move was made to protect investors from higher capital gains taxes.

“Strong US growth has made one thing clear: the time is right to make a significant investment in agentic AI within our subcontractor payments marketplace,” said Guy Saxelby, CEO and Co-founder of Earlytrade. “We're actively seeking exceptional talent across AI, Product and Sales. Visit our careers page to learn more.”

Earlytrade also announced additions to its board, including Charlie Plauche of S3 Ventures, Darren Bechtel of Brick & Mortar Ventures, Scott Wolfe, founder and former CEO of Levelset, Kevin Halter, former revenue leader at PlanGrid and Ben Brahinsky, an adviser to the company’s board.

The company currently operates in Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Canada, Ireland and the United Kingdom, offering early payment and progress claim solutions for contractors and trade partners.