testRigor Transforms Software Testing with Plain English | Ep 196 | DevReady Podcast

In this episode of the DevReady Podcast, host Andrew Romeo speaks with Artem Golubev, Co-Founder and CEO of testRigor, to explore the world of software testing automation. Artem shares his insights on the complexities of modern software and the growing necessity for automation to keep up with the rapid pace of development. He explains how traditional manual testing becomes a bottleneck, especially on high-volume platforms like Amazon, where automation is crucial to avoid costly disruptions. Artem also introduces testRigor's innovative solution, which enables tests to be written in plain English, bypassing the need for technical expertise and making the automation process more efficient.

Artem delves deeper into how testRigor’s approach empowers businesses to transition from manual testing to automation. By allowing tests to be written in plain English, the platform removes the complexities of code and makes automation accessible to non-technical individuals. This simplifies the test creation process, enabling more team members to contribute to testing and accelerating overall productivity. Artem highlights how this approach has allowed companies to scale and move faster, with existing manual testers easily transitioning into automation roles.

Reflecting on the early days of testRigor, Artem shares the company’s humble beginnings and initial struggles. Starting with basic tools like image classification for simple tasks, the company quickly evolved to automate a significant portion of the testing process. Artem reveals how testRigor’s technology helped reduce churn rates and increase productivity, leading to a remarkable business impact, including a dramatic rise in their stock price. He also emphasises the importance of quality technology in customer retention, particularly for early-stage startups.

Artem discusses the challenges of scaling the company, particularly in its early stages when he relied heavily on personal networking and his own sales efforts. Despite a tight budget, the company managed to grow by leveraging its network and moving from outbound sales to inbound marketing strategies, such as publishing a book to increase visibility. He stresses the value of consistent work and networking in building a successful business and reflects on how these efforts helped attract early investors and customers, some of whom remain loyal to testRigor today.

In the final segment, Artem explores the transformative role of AI in test automation. He explains how AI has simplified previously difficult tasks, making the automation of complex applications, such as Flutter, more intuitive. Artem also discusses how AI is enhancing productivity not only in testing but across business operations.