Upstream: The Fintech Simplifying B2B Payments in Australia (2025)

In the rapidly evolving world of Australian fintech, Upstream is making waves. This homegrown startup is turning heads for the way it’s tackling one of the biggest pain points for small and medium businesses: B2B payments. As we enter 2025, Upstream is not just another payments platform—it’s a bridge between cash-strapped SMEs and modern financial infrastructure.

Why B2B Payments Needed Disrupting

Traditional B2B payments in Australia have long been plagued by delayed invoices, opaque processes, and poor integration with business systems. According to the 2024 Xero Small Business Insights report, over 50% of Australian SMEs cited late payments as a significant challenge, with the average invoice taking 23 days past due to be settled. This lag stifles cash flow and growth, and often pushes businesses to rely on high-cost, short-term lending solutions.

• Complex workflows: Manual reconciliation and outdated systems add time and risk.
• Cash flow pressure: Late payments can cripple even profitable businesses.
• Limited access to credit: Traditional bank finance remains slow and restrictive, especially for SMEs.

With the federal government tightening regulations around invoice financing in late 2024, and the introduction of mandatory e-invoicing for all federal contracts from July 2025, Australian businesses are under more pressure than ever to modernise their payment processes.

How Upstream is Changing the Game

Upstream has positioned itself as a next-generation B2B payment platform, purpose-built for Australian SMEs. Its core offering is a seamless payments layer that integrates directly with popular accounting platforms like MYOB, Xero, and QuickBooks. But what truly sets Upstream apart?

• Instant invoice payments: Businesses can upload invoices and get paid instantly, with Upstream advancing the funds and handling collections with the debtor.
• Transparent, fixed fees: Upstream charges a flat fee per transaction, clearly displayed before you proceed—no hidden interest or compounding charges.
• Real-time integrations: The platform syncs with business bank accounts and accounting software, reducing manual data entry and reconciliation headaches.
• Secure, compliant infrastructure: Upstream is fully aligned with the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) guidelines and utilises encrypted, cloud-native architecture.

For example, Melbourne-based wholesaler GreenLeaf Supplies used Upstream to slash their average payment cycle from 34 days to under 24 hours, freeing up $120,000 in working capital within their first quarter on the platform.

2025: The Policy Tailwinds and Market Impact

Several policy updates in 2025 are turbocharging Upstream’s relevance:

• Mandatory e-invoicing: From July 2025, all businesses dealing with federal contracts must use PEPPOL-compliant e-invoicing, making seamless integrations like Upstream’s essential.
• Payment Times Reporting reforms: The 2025 reforms to the Payment Times Reporting Act have increased transparency around large corporates’ payment practices, pushing demand for instant invoice solutions among SME suppliers.
• Open Banking expansion: With Australia’s Consumer Data Right (CDR) now extended to business banking data, Upstream leverages real-time data flows for better risk assessment and quicker approvals.

This policy environment has spurred rapid adoption. According to Upstream’s 2025 Q1 update, the company processed over $200 million in payments for more than 4,000 Australian businesses—a tenfold increase from 2023.

What’s Next for Upstream?

Upstream isn’t stopping at invoice payments. The company is piloting new services including embedded B2B lending, automated supplier payment scheduling, and AI-powered cash flow forecasting—features designed to help Australian businesses not just survive but thrive in a competitive, digitised marketplace.

For CFOs and business owners tired of chasing overdue invoices, Upstream offers a fresh alternative that marries transparency, speed, and smart technology. With regulatory tailwinds and a clear focus on user experience, Upstream is well on its way to becoming a pillar of Australia’s financial infrastructure in 2025 and beyond.