Sreenivasan Sabapathi: Transforming India's Test Engineering Landscape through Innovation
Sreenivasan Sabapathi
Founder & CEO
From repairing faulty circuit boards on a technician’s bench to developing advanced systems that diagnose complex electronic assemblies across aerospace, defense, and industrial sectors, his journey reflects how discipline, innovation, and persistence can shape an entire industry.
Under Saba’s guidance, a small R&D department has risen to become a global company serving more than 30 countries. This feat was accomplished at a time when the Automated Test Equipment market in India was dominated by foreign multi -nationals.
The company developed the first mainframe ATE in a nation that had lacked any global presence so far. This is the exceptional passion of excellence that characterizes Sreenivasan Sabapathi, the Founder and the CEO of Qmax Test Equipments.
Sabapathi, an alumnus of the National Institute of Technology, Trichy, started his journey with Patni Computers, Mumbai, where he was maintaining Data General Mainframe systems.
Driven by a desire to be more than ordinary, he did not stop at diagnostics, finding out and fixing malfunctioning devices and integrated circuits (ICs) in his free time, an act motivated by curiosity.
This led him to the life’s key purpose: innovation. The same spirit inspired the founding of Qmax Test Equipments, a leading company in ATE technology.
Sreenivasan has led the company over the last 40 years, pioneering several innovations. From native mainframe testers up to semiconductor testers and PCB functional testers; his pioneering innovations have demonstrated that world-leading technology could be developed and refined in India.
We are delighted to engage in an exclusive interview with Sreenivasan, who takes us through his academic and leadership journey.
What were some trans- formative learning experiences during your time at the National Institute of Technology?
During my time at the National Institute of Technology, my most transformative experience has been the opportunity to blend academic knowledge with practical industry expertise. Having spent over 40 years in the industry, I joined the MS Research program during the COVID period to advance my research on test equipment; focusing on improving reliability, cost efficiency, and testing speed.
Collaborating with professors and peers from diverse domains gave me valuable insights and inspired new techniques that I have implemented in my products, making them more advanced and effective. For me, the real benefit lies not in earning a degree, but in engaging with strong academic minds to create innovations that have real-world impact.
What unique strategies do you follow to maintain a leading position in the market?
Our core strategy for maintaining market leadership centers on understanding customer needs and delivering effective solutions. We prioritize exceptional customer support—addressing issues immediately, even beyond warranty, before raising invoices or contracts. This builds long-term trust and repeat business. Equally important is our strong focus on continuous research and development.
We consistently explore new technologies and ideas to reduce testing time, simplify complexity, and lower costs. As technology evolves rapidly, we redesign and upgrade our products within each five-year lifecycle to stay competitive. These strategies have enabled us to sustain our leadership and credibility for over three decades.
What are the key challenges your machines currently face, and how are you fostering a culture of innovation to over come them?
Not every employee needs to contribute to innovation. We identify and mentor a select group of dedicated individuals with genuine interest and leadership potential, preparing them to drive innovation in the future. A key challenge today is the changing mindset of the younger generation; many lack the same drive as compared to
During my time at the National Institute of Technology, my most transformative experience has been the opportunity to blend academic knowledge with practical industry expertise. Having spent over 40 years in the industry, I joined the MS Research program during the COVID period to advance my research on test equipment; focusing on improving reliability, cost efficiency, and testing speed.
Technology may evolve, tools may change — but the human spirit of curiosity, discipline, and perseverance will always define innovation
Collaborating with professors and peers from diverse domains gave me valuable insights and inspired new techniques that I have implemented in my products, making them more advanced and effective. For me, the real benefit lies not in earning a degree, but in engaging with strong academic minds to create innovations that have real-world impact.
What unique strategies do you follow to maintain a leading position in the market?
Our core strategy for maintaining market leadership centers on understanding customer needs and delivering effective solutions. We prioritize exceptional customer support—addressing issues immediately, even beyond warranty, before raising invoices or contracts. This builds long-term trust and repeat business. Equally important is our strong focus on continuous research and development.
We consistently explore new technologies and ideas to reduce testing time, simplify complexity, and lower costs. As technology evolves rapidly, we redesign and upgrade our products within each five-year lifecycle to stay competitive. These strategies have enabled us to sustain our leadership and credibility for over three decades.
What are the key challenges your machines currently face, and how are you fostering a culture of innovation to over come them?
Not every employee needs to contribute to innovation. We identify and mentor a select group of dedicated individuals with genuine interest and leadership potential, preparing them to drive innovation in the future. A key challenge today is the changing mindset of the younger generation; many lack the same drive as compared to
the previous generation.
However, by nurturing those with true passion and perseverance, we ensure the company’s legacy of commitment, creativity, and progress continues.
What are your thoughts on incorporating the younger generation into the workforce?
Incorporating the new generation into the workforce requires helping them understand that success demands consistent effort beyond routine responsibilities. Leading a comfortable life is easy, but reaching the top requires dedication, discipline, and going the extra mile.
The additional effort I put in early in my career helped me stand out, earn trust, and receive greater opportunities. I believe young professionals must adopt this mindset: taking initiative, performing beyond expectations, and continuously striving for excellence. This can help them progress, lead, and eventually create their own ventures.
What is the future roadmap you have envisioned for yourself for the next five years?
Over the next five years, my goal is to make the company self-sustaining, led by the next generation focused on innovation and new product development. As we integrate AI, ML, and deep learning into our systems, we aim to enhance efficiency, productivity, and cost-effectiveness.
We are also preparing to go public, with plans to list on the SME Exchange by early 2026 , enabling faster growth through public investment. With mature, globally competitive products, our focus now is on expanding into untapped international markets to increase sales, strengthen our global presence, and deliver greater value to investors and the nation.
Sreenivasan Sabapathi, CEO, Qmax Test Equipments
A pioneering engineering leader with four decades of experience, Sreenivasan has redefined India’s test engineering landscape through innovation, excellence and self-reliance.
Hobbies: Playing golf
Favorite reading: Research papers
Favorite travel destination: Hilly areas
Awards and recognition:
•Two International Patents (U.S. & U.K.)
•Multiple research publications
•Senior Member, IEEE
•Numerous awards for Innovation, R&D, and Export Excellence
However, by nurturing those with true passion and perseverance, we ensure the company’s legacy of commitment, creativity, and progress continues.
What are your thoughts on incorporating the younger generation into the workforce?
Incorporating the new generation into the workforce requires helping them understand that success demands consistent effort beyond routine responsibilities. Leading a comfortable life is easy, but reaching the top requires dedication, discipline, and going the extra mile.
The additional effort I put in early in my career helped me stand out, earn trust, and receive greater opportunities. I believe young professionals must adopt this mindset: taking initiative, performing beyond expectations, and continuously striving for excellence. This can help them progress, lead, and eventually create their own ventures.
What is the future roadmap you have envisioned for yourself for the next five years?
Over the next five years, my goal is to make the company self-sustaining, led by the next generation focused on innovation and new product development. As we integrate AI, ML, and deep learning into our systems, we aim to enhance efficiency, productivity, and cost-effectiveness.
We are also preparing to go public, with plans to list on the SME Exchange by early 2026 , enabling faster growth through public investment. With mature, globally competitive products, our focus now is on expanding into untapped international markets to increase sales, strengthen our global presence, and deliver greater value to investors and the nation.
Sreenivasan Sabapathi, CEO, Qmax Test Equipments
A pioneering engineering leader with four decades of experience, Sreenivasan has redefined India’s test engineering landscape through innovation, excellence and self-reliance.
Hobbies: Playing golf
Favorite reading: Research papers
Favorite travel destination: Hilly areas
Awards and recognition:
•Two International Patents (U.S. & U.K.)
•Multiple research publications
•Senior Member, IEEE
•Numerous awards for Innovation, R&D, and Export Excellence