How Teambuild Built a Supply Chain Advantage with Digital Early Payments

Executive Summary

Teambuild Engineering & Construction Pte Ltd (Teambuild) has collaborated with Hubble Financial Services Pte Ltd (Hubble) to introduce an Early Payment Solution (EPS) to facilitate faster payments to Teambuild’s network of subcontractors and suppliers.

Through EPS, Teambuild’s supply chain receives payments significantly faster, easing cash flow pressures and reducing reliance on expensive short-term financing. The initiative also introduced clear, real-time visibility of payment status, fostering greater trust between Teambuild with their subcontractors and suppliers.

Problem Statement

Subcontractors are particularly exposed to liquidity risk. With limited reserves, even short payment delays can lead to difficulties paying suppliers, covering labour costs, or maintaining day-to-day operations — which may eventually affect project performance.

Without a structured programme and system, Main Contractor has to handle early payment requests from each subcontractor on a case-by-case basis. This process is administratively burdensome, inconsistent, and time-consuming, diverting attention from core project management activities and creating opportunities for disputes or miscommunication.

Benefits of EPS

• Faster payments: Subcontractors can now receive payments much faster than typical schedules, improving their efficiency. Subcontractors appreciate and utilize this early payment initiative, despite some of the Main Contractor’s already prompt payments.
• Enhanced transparency: Payment processes are now fully traceable and predictable, from initiation to completion, fostering trust and efficiency within the supply chain.
• EPS adoption: EPS is user-friendly and rapidly adopted by subcontractors who quickly benefited from enhanced cash flow and operational efficiency, showcasing the system's intuitive design and immediate tangible benefits.
• Cost Efficiencies: Both Main Contractor and Subcontractor enjoy cost efficiencies through optimisation of cashflow management and flexibility of the early payment arrangement.

Process Flow

The process is seamless and does not require any changes to the current process billing flow between the main contractor and subcontractors. Hence there is no hassle of changes to the ERP system or existing process. 

EPS digitizes the early payment process, mitigates the risk of double payment, and reconciles payment.

Onboarding Timeline

The whole process from Main Contractor and Subcontractors onboarding to the first early payment released to Subcontractors takes only 4 weeks. 

The process is fully digitized and the onboarding is fully carried out by HFS, hence minimizing the involvement of time and resources from the Main Contractor.

Adoption of EPS 

Hubble’s EPS transactions demonstrated remarkable traction from January 2025 to August 2025, reflecting increasing adoption among the subcontractors. 

Overall, EPS transaction volumes doubled over the seven-month period, highlighting its effectiveness in addressing subcontractors’ cash flow needs and encouraging continued participation.

Subcontractors’ Satisfaction Survey – 100% Highly Satisfied

EPS has received an overwhelmingly positive response, with 100% of subcontractors reporting high satisfaction. 

What Subcontractors were Most Happy With:

• Felt strong and active support from the Main Contractor, improving collaboration and strengthening supply chain relationships.
• Improved cash flow and predictable payment timelines, reducing financial risks.
• Transparent, user-friendly platform with minimal administrative effort.
• Greater flexibility to manage operations and take on new projects confidently.
• Reliable support from HFS, ensuring smooth processes and stronger relationships.

Differentiation between EPS vs Traditional Loans: No Personal Guarantee and Collateral needed from Subcontractors

EPS is not a loan but yet it offers flexible and revolving, funding tied to the project. Unlike traditional loans, it requires no collateral or personal guarantees, reducing stress for subcontractors. With one transparent fee, EPS provides a simpler and cost-efficient alternative without the need for complex paperwork and application process.

Grants (PSG, BETC)

Digital tools are critical for improving efficiency, productivity, and market reach. However, their upfront costs can be challenging for SMEs. Government grants such as the Productivity Solutions (PSG) Grant and the Built Environment Technology and Capability (BETC) Grant help bridge this gap, enabling businesses to invest in backend integration with ERP systems and other digital solutions. These integrations reduce costs, enhance user experience, and streamline operations.

Key Takeaways

For Main Contractors:

EPS enables earlier payments to the subcontractors and strengthens supply chain reliability which potentially can prevent delay in project development. In addition, EPS helps the Main Contractor generate cost efficiencies, allowing better resource allocation. Fully digitized, EPS is highly scalable across projects of varying sizes. It supports collaboration among developers, main contractors, and subcontractors.

For Subcontractors:

Subcontractors gain faster access to payments, within three working days from an EPS request. This improves cash flow, reduces uncertainties and helps the subcontractors complete their projects on time.