The Riverside Company Invests in Workbench International SaaS Platform

The Riverside Company, a global investment firm specializing in the smaller middle market, has made a strategic investment in Workbench International, a cloud-based vertical SaaS platform focused on project management and job costing for civil infrastructure contractors and related sectors. The deal was announced on May 22, 2026, marking Riverside Australia’s 50th investment since its establishment 15 years ago.

Workbench International, founded in Auckland, New Zealand, serves approximately 400 customers across Australia and New Zealand (ANZ). The platform offers modular project management, financial control, and reporting tools tailored to the construction and infrastructure industries. It has established itself as a mid-market leader in this niche, supporting civil infrastructure contractors, trade contractors, engineering firms, and builders.

While the financial terms of the investment were not disclosed, Riverside’s involvement is expected to fuel Workbench’s product development, particularly in AI-driven workflow automation, and to enhance its commercial capabilities. Riverside Partner Nicholas Pejnovic highlighted the platform’s deep integration into clients’ daily operations and its critical role in helping clients meet commercial objectives. He emphasized the opportunity to leverage AI to add significant value for Workbench’s customers.

Riverside has a strong track record in the Software & IT sector, with over 300 investments globally. Partner Kevin Xu noted that Workbench fits Riverside’s investment criteria as a mission-critical solution addressing an underpenetrated market with a clear growth plan. He pointed out that construction companies face rising input costs and project complexity, and Workbench’s real-time visibility and financial control tools help maintain profitability.

Workbench’s Founder and CEO, Clive Gardner, expressed enthusiasm about partnering with Riverside to support the company’s next growth phase. He cited Riverside’s operational expertise and global experience in scaling software businesses as key benefits. Gardner envisions Workbench evolving into a global, AI-enabled platform amid rapid industry changes.

The Riverside team involved in the transaction included Principal James Elsom, Vice President Paul Tran, Associate Lucas Froude, and Senior Operating Partner Ed McManus.

This investment aligns with broader industry trends where construction technology platforms increasingly adopt AI to streamline operations and improve project outcomes. Workbench’s modular, cloud-based architecture positions it well to capitalize on these trends and expand into adjacent verticals within the construction ecosystem.

Looking ahead, Riverside and Workbench plan to focus on accelerating AI integration, expanding sales and marketing efforts, and enhancing platform modularity to improve customer onboarding and satisfaction. The partnership aims to strengthen Workbench’s market position in ANZ and explore opportunities for geographic and product expansion.

Regulatory approvals were not specified, and integration challenges may include aligning product roadmaps with AI goals and managing cultural integration between the investment firm and the software company. Nonetheless, the collaboration is expected to increase competitive pressure on other mid-market construction SaaS providers in the region.

Overall, this investment represents a significant step in Riverside’s ongoing commitment to the Software & IT sector and underscores the growing importance of AI-enabled solutions in construction project management.