Sashi Reddi founded AppLabs Technologies, a software testing and custom application development company, nested $7 million in Series A equity financing. WestBridge Capital Partners led the funding to assist AppLabs in accelerating its growth through the acquisition route and giving the firm a strategic competitive edge.

Philadelphia based Applabs has an offshore technology center in Hyderabad, India, which is equipped with an extensive inventory of hardware and software to enable the testing of the most complex and challenging applications.

Asked where the funding is going, Reddi said “We are looking for companies that are doing onsite project-based work that we could leverage using our strong offshore technology center. We have appointed a firm to help us in our search and we expect to be able to conclude that search in the next few months.”

After the acquisition, Reddi adds, AppLabs will be among the 5 largest independent testing companies in the world. “We are currently the largest independent testing company in India and the only one in the world assessed at CMM Level 5.”

AppLabs technical services includes testing functional compatibility, performance, wireless, usability, and code reviews. AppLabs offers QA services with extensive experience in developing test plans, ad hoc testing, automated testing using various tools like WinRunner, SilkTest, and performance testing using tools like WebLoad and LoadRunner.

The size of software testing industry in the U.S. is approximately $3 billion. Software testing is fast growing into an important piece of the IT services spectrum that is being outsourced to India. The fast paced software industry has increased the market for outsourced quality analysis and product development. The enormous pressure on testing teams, with tight cycles to meet customer demand and quality control, along with the cost saving for start-ups provides an opportunity for AppLabs to competitively price its services, while providing a higher return to its clients.