QA automation for SaaS startups that ship weekly
Senior QA engineers on demand for startups in the messy growth phase. We set up testing infrastructure that scales with your team, not against it.
Who this is for
- →Seed to Series B SaaS startups with 5 to 30 engineers
- →Founders whose product is in production but tests are non-existent
- →Teams that tried to hire a QA engineer but cannot find someone senior enough
- →Startups where the CTO is spending too much time on manual testing
The problem we solve
You are post-product-market-fit and shipping features fast, but quality is starting to slip. Customer bugs are eating engineering time. Manual testing is becoming a bottleneck. You cannot justify a full-time QA hire yet, but you also cannot keep firefighting forever. You need someone senior to set up a system that works.
Our approach
We embed with your engineering team and build the testing system you actually need at your stage. Not the enterprise-level suite a Fortune 500 has, but the lean, focused, automated layer that catches the 10 percent of bugs that actually matter. Then we hand it off so your team owns it.
Why Rivora
We have worked inside startups, not just for them
Our lead engineer has been the QA layer at multiple early-stage SaaS companies. We know what works at 10 engineers and what works at 100. They are different.
Right-sized testing, not enterprise overkill
Startups do not need 5000 tests. They need 50 tests that cover the flows that actually matter. We focus ruthlessly on the critical path.
Cheaper than hiring full-time, faster than recruiting
A senior QA hire costs $120k+ per year fully loaded and takes 3 to 6 months to recruit. We give you the same expertise in 2 weeks with no recruiting overhead.
We hand off the work, not babysit it forever
Our goal is your team owning the testing system within 60 to 90 days. We are not trying to be your permanent QA department.
How we work
- 1
Free 30-minute call
We learn about your product, your stage, your team, and the specific pain points. We are honest about whether automation is the right next step for you.
- 2
1-week audit
We look at your product, your current test coverage (if any), your CI setup, and your release process. You get a written assessment with prioritized recommendations.
- 3
Build phase
We build the testing system: critical user journey tests, CI integration, reporting. Typically 4 to 6 weeks for a startup-sized scope.
- 4
Handoff and optional ongoing support
We document everything, train your team, and stay available on retainer if you want monthly support. Or we wave goodbye and you own it.
What you get
- ✓Initial QA audit of your product and current testing approach
- ✓Test strategy document tailored to your stage and product
- ✓Automated test suite for the critical user journeys (typically 30-50 tests)
- ✓CI integration with PR-blocking on test failures
- ✓Bug triage and reporting process
- ✓Hiring guide for your first full-time QA when ready
- ✓Optional ongoing retainer for monthly support
Tools we use
Frequently asked questions
We are pre-product-market-fit. Should we hire you?+
Probably not yet. If you are still iterating heavily on the product, automated tests will become technical debt fast. We will tell you honestly if you should wait.
How is this different from hiring a freelance QA engineer?+
Most freelance QA engineers are mid-level and need direction. You get a senior engineer who has built QA systems from scratch at multiple startups and can design the right approach for your stage.
What is the cost compared to a full-time hire?+
A typical engagement costs less than 3 months of a senior QA salary, but you get a system in place that lasts much longer than that. We can discuss exact scope and pricing on a call.
Do you also help us hire when we are ready?+
Yes. Part of the handoff includes a hiring guide tailored to what your QA system needs going forward, with interview questions and screening criteria.
What if we need help beyond automation, like manual QA or strategy?+
We offer manual QA and test strategy as separate engagements, but for early-stage startups we usually recommend automation first because it scales with your team in a way manual QA does not.
Ready to get started?
Book a free 30-minute call. We will listen to your situation, give you honest feedback, and tell you whether we can help. No sales pitch.