Velentium vs Planet Innovation: full comparison for 2026
Quick verdict
Velentium (4.5/5) edges ahead of Planet Innovation (4.2/5) overall. Velentium is the better choice for implantables and FDA cybersecurity submissions. Planet Innovation is the stronger option for diagnostics companies in Asia-Pacific and the US. The right choice depends on your project size, budget, and required tech stack.
Velentium vs Planet Innovation: head-to-head summary
| Criterion | Velentium | Planet Innovation |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2012 | 2009 |
| HQ | Katy, TX, USA | Box Hill, Victoria, Australia |
| Team size | 51–250 | 300–400 |
| Rating | 4.5 / 5 | 4.2 / 5 |
| Primary differentiator | Combines active-implantable engineering with a dedicated device cybersecurity team that prepares FDA premarket security documentation | Diagnostics roots plus product and commercialization experience in Australia and the US |
| Pricing model | Fixed project, time and materials, manufacturing contract | Fixed project, time and materials |
| Min. engagement | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Primary tech stack | Embedded C/C++, RTOS, BLE | Embedded C/C++, Cloud (AWS/Azure), Microfluidics |
| Industries served | Implantables & neuromodulation, Surgical & therapeutic devices, Wearables & remote monitoring | Diagnostics & lab devices, Digital health, Wearables & remote monitoring |
Velentium vs Planet Innovation: overview
Velentium
Velentium was founded in 2012 and is based in Katy, near Houston, Texas. It designs, develops and manufactures active medical devices, including implantables and their programmers, and offers systems engineering, firmware, software, cybersecurity and CGMP manufacturing. Great Point Partners completed a growth recapitalization in 2021, the company sold its oil and gas division in 2023 to focus fully on medtech, and it took $15M in growth financing from Trinity Capital in 2024. Headcount estimates range from 51 to 250.
Planet Innovation
Planet Innovation was founded in Melbourne in 2009 by four diagnostics industry specialists: Eduardo Vom, Sam Lanyon, Stuart Elliott and Troy O'Callaghan. It is headquartered in Box Hill, Victoria, with a facility in Irvine, California, and employs roughly 300 to 390 people depending on the source. The company has focused on regulated medical devices since 2016 and works across diagnostics, medical devices, biotechnology and connected health, including some product ventures of its own.
Services and capabilities: Velentium vs Planet Innovation
| Capability | Velentium | Planet Innovation |
|---|---|---|
| Electronics & PCB design | ✓ | ✓ |
| Firmware & embedded software | ✓ | ✓ |
| SaMD & companion apps | ✗ | ✗ |
| Connected devices & IoT | ✗ | ✓ |
| Industrial design & human factors | ✗ | ✗ |
| Mechanical engineering | ✗ | ✓ |
| Device cybersecurity | ✓ | ✗ |
| Regulatory & QMS support | ✓ | ✗ |
| Manufacturing & scale-up | ✓ | ✓ |
Tech stack comparison: Velentium vs Planet Innovation
| Framework / platform | Velentium | Planet Innovation |
|---|---|---|
| Embedded C/C++ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Embedded Linux | N/A | N/A |
| RTOS | ✓ | N/A |
| BLE | ✓ | N/A |
| Cloud (AWS/Azure) | N/A | ✓ |
| IEC 62304 | ✓ | N/A |
| ISO 14971 | ✓ | N/A |
| ISO 13485 QMS | N/A | ✓ |
| Qt | N/A | N/A |
Pricing comparison: Velentium vs Planet Innovation
| Criterion | Velentium | Planet Innovation |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum engagement | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Engagement models | Fixed project, Manufacturing contract, Time & materials | Fixed project, Manufacturing contract, Time & materials |
| Rate transparency | Not public | Not public |
| Price tier | Mid-market | Mid-market |
Target audience comparison: Velentium vs Planet Innovation
| Dimension | Velentium | Planet Innovation |
|---|---|---|
| Best company size | Startup to mid-market | Startup to mid-market |
| Best industries | Implantables & neuromodulation, Surgical & therapeutic devices, Wearables & remote monitoring | Diagnostics & lab devices, Digital health, Wearables & remote monitoring |
| Best use cases | Building a neurostimulator and its clinician programmer, Preparing the cybersecurity section of an FDA 510(k) or PMA | Developing a connected point-of-care diagnostic, Commercialization planning for an Australian medtech startup |
| Typical project type | Fixed project | Fixed project |
Velentium vs Planet Innovation: pros and cons
| Velentium | |
|---|---|
| + | Cybersecurity is a full practice here, covering threat modeling, SBOMs, testing and postmarket monitoring |
| + | Experience with active implantable devices, one of the hardest device categories to engineer and certify |
| + | Can manufacture Class II and III devices after development, reducing transfer risk |
| + | Offers training on device cybersecurity, which helps client teams keep up after hand-off |
| - | Private-equity recapitalization and debt financing mean ownership priorities may shift over time |
| - | Smaller than the large consultancies, so very broad programs may stretch the team |
| - | Industrial design and human factors are not its main strength |
| Planet Innovation | |
|---|---|
| + | Founders came from the diagnostics industry, and diagnostics is still its strongest area |
| + | Has launched products of its own, so it understands commercialization as well as engineering |
| + | Australian base offers time-zone coverage for Asia-Pacific clients |
| + | Irvine facility serves US clients locally |
| - | Runs its own product ventures, so ask how client work is prioritized |
| - | Less known in Europe |
| - | Headcount and certifications should be confirmed directly |
Who should choose Velentium?
A typical fit: building a neurostimulator and its clinician programmer.
Combines active-implantable engineering with a dedicated device cybersecurity team that prepares FDA premarket security documentation. Minimum engagement is not publicly disclosed. Works best with clients in Implantables & neuromodulation, Surgical & therapeutic devices, Wearables & remote monitoring.
Who should choose Planet Innovation?
A typical fit: developing a connected point-of-care diagnostic.
Diagnostics roots plus product and commercialization experience in Australia and the US. Minimum engagement is not publicly disclosed. Works best with clients in Diagnostics & lab devices, Digital health, Wearables & remote monitoring.
Decision matrix: Velentium vs Planet Innovation
| Your situation | Recommended choice |
|---|---|
| You need full-ownership delivery on a defined project scope | Velentium |
| You need a large dedicated team for an ongoing programme | Check each company's engagement model |
| Your budget is at the lower end | Compare: Velentium (Not disclosed) vs Planet Innovation (Not disclosed) |
| You need specialist depth in a specific vertical | Velentium |
| You need staff augmentation or team extension | Neither; consider alternatives that offer staff aug |
| You need consulting before committing to a build | Both may offer discovery engagements |
Use case fit: Velentium vs Planet Innovation
| Use case | Velentium fit | Planet Innovation fit | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Building a neurostimulator and its clinician programmer | Strong | Limited | Velentium |
| Preparing the cybersecurity section of an FDA 510(k) or PMA | Strong | Limited | Velentium |
| Developing a connected point-of-care diagnostic | Limited | Strong | Planet Innovation |
| Commercialization planning for an Australian medtech startup | Limited | Strong | Planet Innovation |
Verdict: Velentium vs Planet Innovation
Velentium (4.5/5) is the stronger overall choice for most Medical Device Development projects. Combines active-implantable engineering with a dedicated device cybersecurity team that prepares FDA premarket security documentation.
Planet Innovation (4.2/5) is worth a look if you need commercialization planning for an Australian medtech startup. If your situation matches that, Planet Innovation is a competitive option.
Related comparisons
Velentium vs Planet Innovation FAQ
Is Velentium better than Planet Innovation?
Velentium (4.5/5) scores higher overall, but "better" depends on your use case. Velentium's strongest advantage: cybersecurity is a full practice here, covering threat modeling, SBOMs, testing and postmarket monitoring. Planet Innovation's strongest advantage: founders came from the diagnostics industry, and diagnostics is still its strongest area.
How do Velentium and Planet Innovation differ in pricing?
Velentium uses fixed project, time and materials, manufacturing contract pricing. Planet Innovation uses fixed project, time and materials pricing. Neither firm publishes a full rate card; a discovery call is required for project-specific quotes.
Which is better for enterprise: Velentium or Planet Innovation?
Planet Innovation is the larger team and typically the better enterprise-scale choice. For very large programmes, verify team size and compliance coverage directly with each company before shortlisting.
What are the main differences between Velentium and Planet Innovation?
Velentium's primary differentiator is: combines active-implantable engineering with a dedicated device cybersecurity team that prepares FDA premarket security documentation. Planet Innovation's primary differentiator is: diagnostics roots plus product and commercialization experience in Australia and the US. They also differ in team size (51–250 vs 300–400), minimum engagement (Not disclosed vs Not disclosed), and primary industries served (Implantables & neuromodulation, Surgical & therapeutic devices vs Diagnostics & lab devices, Digital health).
Verify all details directly with each company before making a decision.