Shape the future of systems modelling
We are inviting a small group of early users to build real models in Orla, influence our product roadmap, and shape a more visual and rigorous way of working with complex systems.
About the programme
The Founding User programme is for early adopters who want to use Orla in their work before the platform is publicly available.
You will build one or more models and share structured feedback with us on your experience of using the platform.
In return, you will get direct access to the founding team, early visibility into new features, and competely free usage for three years after the programme ends.
Why we’re doing this
Orla is being built to improve how people understand and communicate complex systems.
To do this properly, we need real models, real use cases, and feedback grounded in serious work.
Who it’s for
We are looking for people with a real modelling use case in economics, ecology, business, finance, public health, or other policy areas.
Researchers
Academics or advanced students working on ecological economics, sustainability, policy, public health, or related fields who want to build and communicate dynamic system models more clearly.
Practitioners and analysts
Consultants, policy teams, strategists, and independent thinkers who are building models to explore complex systems, test scenarios, and explain results to others.
People using other tools
Anyone currently building system models in Excel, Vensim, STELLA, EViews, Python, R, or similar tools who wants a more visual and interactive way to work.
Example Models
- an ecological macroeconomics model linking finance, production, energy use, and emissions
- a housing and mortgage system exploring how credit conditions affect prices, construction, and household balance sheets
- a fisheries or forestry model linking natural stocks, extraction, regeneration, and revenues
- a model of the main financial stocks and flows across all economic sectors that visualises how money is created and circulated
- a public policy model exploring feedbacks between e.g. employment, consumption, investment and inflation
- a supply-chain model linking inventory, orders, delays, labour, and cash flow across a production process
What you’ll do
Build a real model
Use Orla to create one (or more) models, with light guidance from us where useful.
Share structured feedback
Tell us what worked well, what felt unclear, and what improvements you'd recommend.
Iterate and improve
Resume and improve your model once we've developed updates in response to your feedback.
What you’ll get
- Three years of completely free Orla usage of any plan
- A substantial lifetime discount thereafter
- Direct input into the product roadmap
- Ongoing contact with the Orla team following the programme's end
- Early access to future features
- A chance to showcase your work as as a Founding User
Timeline and Structure
The programme will run from June - September 2026 ahead of Orla's commercial launch in autumn 2026.
Sprint 1 - late June / early July
Get started on building your model and provide initial feedback via video call with the founder.
Sprint 2 - August / early September
Continue working on your model using Orla's latest features and improvements, and provide further feedback.
Conclusion - September
The end of the programme. You'll get pre-launch access to Orla and three years of free usage of any paid plan.
Exact timings will be confirmed in May 2026. Each sprint window will last 2 weeks to provide flexibility.
Apply
Places will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis and are filling up quickly. To apply, simply send a short email to hello@orla-systems.com describing your motivation and level of experience with systems tools, and briefly describe the sort of model you want to build.
FAQs
The main expectation is that you use Orla for a model you already want to build, and so it should not significantly increase your workload. The minimum amount of time required to build a model and provide feedback would be 4–6 hours each sprint, so around 8–12 hours overall.