TestParty, an AI-powered company working to revolutionize digital accessibility, has secured a significant step forward with a $4 million seed funding round co-led by Harlem Capital and the Urban Innovation Fund.
This investment will fuel their mission, as outlined by CEO and co-founder Michael Bervell, “to make it easier for any software developer to write accessible code before it becomes a problem.”
Bervell highlights the vast need, stating “Even though 17% of the world’s population (over a billion people) has a disability, it is far too difficult and expensive today to make websites digitally accessible.” TestParty’s approach ensures everyone can benefit from the web.
Currently, 96% of the world’s top websites fail to meet accessibility standards, creating a barrier for people who rely on assistive technologies. TestParty tackles this challenge by automating accessibility testing and remediation using AI. This eliminates manual code reviews, saving businesses time and resources. Their platform proactively finds and fixes accessibility issues within the code itself, preventing violations from the start.
TestParty’s focus goes beyond finding problems. Bervell explains, “Our focus isn’t just on finding issues but on fixing accessibility bugs and providing senior leadership with critical insights and a corrective and future prevention path.” He emphasizes the cost-effectiveness of their approach, noting “Especially since research shows that every bug in production costs up to $10,000 to fix.” This full-stack, end-to-end approach sets TestParty apart, aiming to serve everyone from designers and developers to product managers and Chief Accessibility Officers.
The company’s vision extends beyond its current offerings. They are actively developing solutions for mobile app accessibility, advanced code remediation tools, and even exploring the potential of generative AI to write inherently accessible code from the start.
This ambition positions TestParty to become the industry standard in digital accessibility innovation.
