Sunrise Labs vs TTP: full comparison for 2026
Quick verdict
Sunrise Labs (4.5/5) edges ahead of TTP (4.4/5) overall. Sunrise Labs is the better choice for electromechanical devices, fluidics and infusion. TTP is the stronger option for pharma device programs, inhalers and injectors. The right choice depends on your project size, budget, and required tech stack.
Sunrise Labs vs TTP: head-to-head summary
| Criterion | Sunrise Labs | TTP |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1992 | 1987 |
| HQ | Bedford, NH, USA | Melbourn, Cambridgeshire, UK |
| Team size | 90–110 | Not published |
| Rating | 4.5 / 5 | 4.4 / 5 |
| Primary differentiator | Three decades of work on pumps, fluidics and motion-heavy medical systems where mechanics and firmware are tightly coupled | Employee ownership plus long-running drug delivery and surgical device work for large pharma and medtech clients |
| Pricing model | Time and materials, phased fixed project | Time and materials, phased fixed project |
| Min. engagement | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Primary tech stack | Embedded C/C++, RTOS, IEC 60601 | Ultrasound, Microfluidics, Embedded C/C++ |
| Industries served | Drug delivery, Diagnostics & lab devices, Surgical & therapeutic devices | Drug delivery, Surgical & robotics, Diagnostics & lab devices |
Sunrise Labs vs TTP: overview
Sunrise Labs
Founded in 1992 by MIT-trained engineers, Sunrise Labs is a privately held product development firm that now operates from Bedford, New Hampshire, with a Boston-area office added in 2022. Its work concentrates on electromechanical medical devices: infusion and fluid handling, diagnostics instruments and therapeutic systems that combine motors, sensors, electronics and embedded software. Directory listings put the team at roughly 90 to 100 people. Sunrise Labs handles development and design transfer and does not run its own volume manufacturing.
TTP
TTP (The Technology Partnership) has operated for around 40 years from its own science park in Melbourn, South Cambridgeshire. In December 2021 TTP Group moved to 100% employee ownership through an Employee Ownership Trust. Its Medical Devices team works on drug delivery, surgical systems and diagnostics, and the wider company does deep technology work in sectors such as life science instruments and industrial products. Headcount is not published in a form we could verify.
Services and capabilities: Sunrise Labs vs TTP
| Capability | Sunrise Labs | TTP |
|---|---|---|
| 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: Sunrise Labs vs TTP
| Framework / platform | Sunrise Labs | TTP |
|---|---|---|
| Embedded C/C++ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Embedded Linux | N/A | N/A |
| RTOS | ✓ | N/A |
| BLE | N/A | N/A |
| Cloud (AWS/Azure) | N/A | N/A |
| IEC 62304 | ✓ | N/A |
| ISO 14971 | ✓ | N/A |
| ISO 13485 QMS | N/A | ✓ |
| Qt | N/A | N/A |
Pricing comparison: Sunrise Labs vs TTP
| Criterion | Sunrise Labs | TTP |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum engagement | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Engagement models | Fixed project, Time & materials | Consulting, Fixed project, Time & materials |
| Rate transparency | Not public | Not public |
| Price tier | Mid-market | Mid-market |
Target audience comparison: Sunrise Labs vs TTP
| Dimension | Sunrise Labs | TTP |
|---|---|---|
| Best company size | Startup to mid-market | Startup to mid-market |
| Best industries | Drug delivery, Diagnostics & lab devices, Surgical & therapeutic devices | Drug delivery, Surgical & robotics, Diagnostics & lab devices |
| Best use cases | Developing an infusion pump or fluid management system, Rescuing a stalled electromechanical device program before verification | Designing an autoinjector or inhaler for a pharma combination product, Developing a surgical energy device |
| Typical project type | Fixed project | Consulting |
Sunrise Labs vs TTP: pros and cons
| Sunrise Labs | |
|---|---|
| + | Deep experience with infusion, fluid handling and other electromechanical systems that most software-led firms avoid |
| + | Engineers who own mechanics, electronics and firmware sit on the same team, which helps with system-level risk analysis |
| + | Long track record with US medtech clients and FDA submission support |
| + | Mid-sized team means senior engineers stay visible on projects |
| - | No in-house volume manufacturing; design transfer to a CM is part of every plan |
| - | US-only footprint and Northeast US rates put it at the higher end on cost |
| - | Less suited to software-only or SaMD projects |
| TTP | |
|---|---|
| + | Employee ownership since 2021 removes pressure from outside investors |
| + | Well regarded for drug delivery devices, an area where mechanics and human factors decide success |
| + | Own science park with lab and workshop space for physical prototyping |
| + | Specialist depth in ultrasound and fluidics |
| - | Does not publish headcount or rates, which makes early budgeting harder |
| - | UK-centric delivery; US clients work across time zones |
| - | Pricing sits with the premium Cambridge consultancies |
Who should choose Sunrise Labs?
A typical fit: developing an infusion pump or fluid management system.
Three decades of work on pumps, fluidics and motion-heavy medical systems where mechanics and firmware are tightly coupled. Minimum engagement is not publicly disclosed. Works best with clients in Drug delivery, Diagnostics & lab devices, Surgical & therapeutic devices.
Who should choose TTP?
A typical fit: designing an autoinjector or inhaler for a pharma combination product.
Employee ownership plus long-running drug delivery and surgical device work for large pharma and medtech clients. Minimum engagement is not publicly disclosed. Works best with clients in Drug delivery, Surgical & robotics, Diagnostics & lab devices.
Decision matrix: Sunrise Labs vs TTP
| Your situation | Recommended choice |
|---|---|
| You need full-ownership delivery on a defined project scope | Sunrise Labs |
| You need a large dedicated team for an ongoing programme | Check each company's engagement model |
| Your budget is at the lower end | Compare: Sunrise Labs (Not disclosed) vs TTP (Not disclosed) |
| You need specialist depth in a specific vertical | Sunrise Labs |
| 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: Sunrise Labs vs TTP
| Use case | Sunrise Labs fit | TTP fit | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Developing an infusion pump or fluid management system | Strong | Strong | Both equally |
| Rescuing a stalled electromechanical device program before verification | Strong | Limited | Sunrise Labs |
| Designing an autoinjector or inhaler for a pharma combination product | Limited | Strong | TTP |
| Developing a surgical energy device | Strong | Strong | Both equally |
Verdict: Sunrise Labs vs TTP
Sunrise Labs (4.5/5) is the stronger overall choice for most Medical Device Development projects. Three decades of work on pumps, fluidics and motion-heavy medical systems where mechanics and firmware are tightly coupled.
TTP (4.4/5) is worth a look if you need developing a surgical energy device. If your situation matches that, TTP is a competitive option.
Related comparisons
Sunrise Labs vs TTP FAQ
Is Sunrise Labs better than TTP?
Sunrise Labs (4.5/5) scores higher overall, but "better" depends on your use case. Sunrise Labs's strongest advantage: deep experience with infusion, fluid handling and other electromechanical systems that most software-led firms avoid. TTP's strongest advantage: employee ownership since 2021 removes pressure from outside investors.
How do Sunrise Labs and TTP differ in pricing?
Sunrise Labs uses time and materials, phased fixed project pricing. TTP uses time and materials, phased fixed project pricing. Neither firm publishes a full rate card; a discovery call is required for project-specific quotes.
Which is better for enterprise: Sunrise Labs or TTP?
Sunrise Labs 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 Sunrise Labs and TTP?
Sunrise Labs's primary differentiator is: three decades of work on pumps, fluidics and motion-heavy medical systems where mechanics and firmware are tightly coupled. TTP's primary differentiator is: employee ownership plus long-running drug delivery and surgical device work for large pharma and medtech clients. They also differ in team size (90–110 vs Not published), minimum engagement (Not disclosed vs Not disclosed), and primary industries served (Drug delivery, Diagnostics & lab devices vs Drug delivery, Surgical & robotics).
Verify all details directly with each company before making a decision.