Planet Startup

🎯 What They Do

Planet Startup is a Brisbane, Australia-based CFO-as-a-Service firm dedicated to empowering Australia's most ambitious tech companies, from early-stage startups to scaling enterprises.

• ●Founded in 2022 by Marc Orchard and Rhys Cupples, the company officially launched in September 2023 with a mission to provide strategic financial support at a fraction of the cost of a full-time Chief Financial Officer.
• ●Planet Startup's core offering focuses on delivering 'better numbers, better decisions, more confidence' to founders navigating complex growth trajectories and capital raising efforts.

📖 Their Story

The firm provides comprehensive CFO support tailored to different business stages.

• ●For post-seed, pre-Series A startups, services include operational finance support, Xero file and chart of accounts restructuring, bookkeeping, payroll and superannuation management, financial modeling and budgeting, business model validation, cashflow forecasting, financial systems and processes implementation, and capital raising guidance.
• ●For scaleups from Series A onwards, Planet Startup offers C-suite level financial advisory, encompassing financial strategy, board management, commercial agreements, global expansion planning, employee share option plan (ESOP) strategy, investment forecasting, and complex financial modeling.

⚡ What Sets Them Apart

Beyond ongoing support, Planet Startup conducts expert-led 'sprints' and project engagements. These workshops are designed for founders who need rapid answers on critical decisions such as investment pathways, pricing strategy, business model validation, valuation and milestone planning, revenue model exploration, and navigating global market expansion.

🏆 Track Record

What differentiates Planet Startup is its deep expertise within the startup ecosystem, having worked with over 500 startups and scaleups in the five years leading up to its launch.

• ●This experience allows them to understand investor expectations and the metrics crucial for scaling.
• ●They also offer clients access to a 'first-class network' of founders, investors, and advisors, fostering a supportive community.

👥 The Team

In September 2025, Planet Startup was acquired by Scalare Partners, an ASX-listed tech investment and advisory firm.

• ●Under this acquisition, Planet Startup operates as Scalare's virtual CFO service line, with co-founder Marc Orchard continuing to lead the business as CEO.
• ●This integration further strengthens its capacity to provide end-to-end financial management and capital-readiness support.
• ●Prior to the acquisition, Planet Startup demonstrated strong year-on-year growth, with annualised revenue increasing by 26% from FY24 to FY25, while maintaining profitability.

💡 Key Details

Leadership is driven by co-founders Marc Orchard (CEO) and Rhys Cupples (CFO).

• ●Marc Orchard is a notable figure in the Australian startup landscape, also serving as an Entrepreneur in Residence at UQ Ventures and Lead Finance Facilitator for LaunchVic's 30x30 program.
• ●His background includes roles as Director of Startups at BDO, City Manager at Fishburners Brisbane, and Talent Program Director at Swyftx.