Planet Innovation vs Simbex: full comparison for 2026
Quick verdict
Planet Innovation (4.2/5) edges ahead of Simbex (3.9/5) overall. Planet Innovation is the better choice for diagnostics companies in Asia-Pacific and the US. Simbex is the stronger option for sensor wearables and biomechanics research. The right choice depends on your project size, budget, and required tech stack.
Planet Innovation vs Simbex: head-to-head summary
| Criterion | Planet Innovation | Simbex |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2009 | 2000 |
| HQ | Box Hill, Victoria, Australia | Lebanon, NH, USA |
| Team size | 300–400 | 11–100 |
| Rating | 4.2 / 5 | 3.9 / 5 |
| Primary differentiator | Diagnostics roots plus product and commercialization experience in Australia and the US | Biomechanics and sensor research background applied to wearable health devices |
| Pricing model | Fixed project, time and materials | Time and materials, fixed project |
| Min. engagement | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Primary tech stack | Embedded C/C++, Cloud (AWS/Azure), Microfluidics | BLE, Embedded C/C++, Sensor fusion |
| Industries served | Diagnostics & lab devices, Digital health, Wearables & remote monitoring | Wearables & remote monitoring, Sports technology, Digital health |
Planet Innovation vs Simbex: overview
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.
Simbex
Simbex was founded in 2000 in Lebanon, New Hampshire, and works on product design, applied research and commercialization in medtech, health tech and sports technology. Riddell, the American football helmet maker and a long-time client, acquired it in April 2024. Its medical work includes RestEaze, a remote monitoring device for sleep disorder diagnosis built with Tanzen Medical, and fall-detection wearables. Team size estimates range from 11 to 100.
Services and capabilities: Planet Innovation vs Simbex
| Capability | Planet Innovation | Simbex |
|---|---|---|
| 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: Planet Innovation vs Simbex
| Framework / platform | Planet Innovation | Simbex |
|---|---|---|
| Embedded C/C++ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Embedded Linux | N/A | N/A |
| RTOS | N/A | N/A |
| BLE | N/A | ✓ |
| Cloud (AWS/Azure) | ✓ | N/A |
| IEC 62304 | N/A | N/A |
| ISO 14971 | N/A | N/A |
| ISO 13485 QMS | ✓ | N/A |
| Qt | N/A | N/A |
Pricing comparison: Planet Innovation vs Simbex
| Criterion | Planet Innovation | Simbex |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum engagement | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Engagement models | Fixed project, Manufacturing contract, Time & materials | Fixed project, Time & materials |
| Rate transparency | Not public | Not public |
| Price tier | Mid-market | Mid-market |
Target audience comparison: Planet Innovation vs Simbex
| Dimension | Planet Innovation | Simbex |
|---|---|---|
| Best company size | Startup to mid-market | Startup to mid-market |
| Best industries | Diagnostics & lab devices, Digital health, Wearables & remote monitoring | Wearables & remote monitoring, Sports technology, Digital health |
| Best use cases | Developing a connected point-of-care diagnostic, Commercialization planning for an Australian medtech startup | Sensor-based wearable for remote monitoring, Biomechanics research study for a device concept |
| Typical project type | Fixed project | Fixed project |
Planet Innovation vs Simbex: pros and cons
| 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 |
| Simbex | |
|---|---|
| + | Strong sensor and biomechanics research skills |
| + | Experience with wearable monitoring devices |
| + | Covers design through commercialization planning |
| + | Small team with direct access to principals |
| - | Owned by Riddell since April 2024, so sports technology may take priority over medical clients |
| - | Small team |
| - | Fewer regulated Class II and III device credits than medtech-only firms |
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.
Who should choose Simbex?
A typical fit: sensor-based wearable for remote monitoring.
Biomechanics and sensor research background applied to wearable health devices. Minimum engagement is not publicly disclosed. Works best with clients in Wearables & remote monitoring, Sports technology, Digital health.
Decision matrix: Planet Innovation vs Simbex
| Your situation | Recommended choice |
|---|---|
| You need full-ownership delivery on a defined project scope | Planet Innovation |
| You need a large dedicated team for an ongoing programme | Check each company's engagement model |
| Your budget is at the lower end | Compare: Planet Innovation (Not disclosed) vs Simbex (Not disclosed) |
| You need specialist depth in a specific vertical | Planet Innovation |
| 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: Planet Innovation vs Simbex
| Use case | Planet Innovation fit | Simbex fit | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Developing a connected point-of-care diagnostic | Strong | Limited | Planet Innovation |
| Commercialization planning for an Australian medtech startup | Strong | Limited | Planet Innovation |
| Sensor-based wearable for remote monitoring | Limited | Strong | Simbex |
| Biomechanics research study for a device concept | Limited | Strong | Simbex |
Verdict: Planet Innovation vs Simbex
Planet Innovation (4.2/5) is the stronger overall choice for most Medical Device Development projects. Diagnostics roots plus product and commercialization experience in Australia and the US.
Simbex (3.9/5) is worth a look if you need biomechanics research study for a device concept. If your situation matches that, Simbex is a competitive option.
Related comparisons
Planet Innovation vs Simbex FAQ
Is Planet Innovation better than Simbex?
Planet Innovation (4.2/5) scores higher overall, but "better" depends on your use case. Planet Innovation's strongest advantage: founders came from the diagnostics industry, and diagnostics is still its strongest area. Simbex's strongest advantage: strong sensor and biomechanics research skills.
How do Planet Innovation and Simbex differ in pricing?
Planet Innovation uses fixed project, time and materials pricing. Simbex uses time and materials, fixed project pricing. Neither firm publishes a full rate card; a discovery call is required for project-specific quotes.
Which is better for enterprise: Planet Innovation or Simbex?
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 Planet Innovation and Simbex?
Planet Innovation's primary differentiator is: diagnostics roots plus product and commercialization experience in Australia and the US. Simbex's primary differentiator is: biomechanics and sensor research background applied to wearable health devices. They also differ in team size (300–400 vs 11–100), minimum engagement (Not disclosed vs Not disclosed), and primary industries served (Diagnostics & lab devices, Digital health vs Wearables & remote monitoring, Sports technology).
Verify all details directly with each company before making a decision.