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3 Questions with hedgehog lab

3 Questions with hedgehog lab
Hedgehog Lab Team Pic

They got a team full of champions

Welcome to the second installment of our 3 question interview series. This week we had the pleasure of interviewing Sarat Pediredla, the CEO of hedgehog lab, to learn more about what sets them apart.

Founded in 2007 by Sarat Pediredla and Mark Forster, hedgehog lab is a post-PC technology consultancy that builds apps for mobile, tablets, wearables and other connected devices.

The Newcastle-headquartered company, which has additional offices in London, the US, India, and Denmark, also operates an Immersive Technologies division, offering high-end Virtual, Augmented and Mixed Reality services. Working across numerous sectors, from automotive to healthcare, hedgehog lab has provided solutions for everyone from innovative start-ups to FTSE 250 and Fortune 500 corporations. Its clients have included household names such as AkzoNobel, Channel 4, B&M, England Rugby and Hult International Business School.

Earlier this year, the company was named 11th fastest growing technology consultancy in the North of England at the GP Bullhound Northern Tech Awards. It was also featured in Red Herring’s Top 100 Europe list of the most promising private tech ventures in Europe and received an RAR Digital Award in the Mobile (100+) category, based solely on client feedback. More recently, hedgehog lab was shortlisted in the Digital Entrepreneur Awards, competing for the title of the Digital Agency of the Year.

What makes your service unique?

“hedgehog lab defines itself as a ‘post-PC’ technology consultancy – which essentially means we have a tight focus on building apps for mobile, tablets, wearables and similar devices. Not only has this approach allowed us to distinguish ourselves on the market; it has also enabled us to cultivate expertise, instead of diluting our offering through dabbling in disparate areas.”

“In saying that, we’ve kept a close eye on emerging trends in tech and, after seeing a rise in demand for Virtual, Augmented and Mixed Reality, set up our own Immersive Technologies division in January. This service, which ties in well with our overall vision, is proving extremely popular, as sectors ranging from retail to the arts recognize its potential.”

“We also place a huge emphasis on what we call ‘turning customers into fans’. That means aiming to deliver more, never less, than the client expects. And, with a new strategic partnership model now in place, we are able to provide the best value throughout the product lifecycle, from concept to launch to maintenance.”

What is your methodology for developing applications?

“hedgehog lab has developed its own project method derived from PRINCE 2 Agile, which combines the chief strengths of Agile and PRINCE 2. Based on both common sense and decades of experience from across the team, the methodology – which includes its own distinct principles, processes, and themes – is designed to integrate Agile into the delivery process while remaining in control and providing governance. However, our project managers are trained across the board. Hence, we are able to adapt easily to alternative modes of delivery, from Waterfall to full Agile, whenever this might be appropriate.”

Outside of development, what do you offer for professional services?

“As part of our overall package to clients, we offer a wide range of services, including UX and UI design, research, testing, and maintenance. In some cases, we will also provide stand-alone services such as Proof of Concept work and design sprints, which allow for swift development and testing of ideas.”

Sarat Pediredla (CEO) – A Quick Bio
Amusing though it is to those who know him, Sarat was once set to become a brain surgeon. Then he found computers – and discovered his true passion. After moving from India to the UK to study software engineering, he worked as a developer for several years before setting up his own company with fellow developer Mark Forster. Since then, hedgehog lab has gone from strength to strength, with revenues rising 130% in 2016. The business, which recently secured £1m of investment, is now on track to grow by at least 50% year-on-year until 2020. Sarat, who remains passionate about all things digital, is clear on his ambition: to make hedgehog lab the world’s biggest and best post-PC technology consultancy.


This interview is part of a larger series to help companies get to know more about Application Development providers. For more information about various Application Development companies and their technical capabilities, you can download our Buyer’s Guide.

To find out more about hedgehog lab and to see if they are a good fit for your business, check them out at www.hedgehoglab.com

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