Launching a tech startup? Here’s how to build an MVP that works

Most people believe that your product must be perfect before launching it.

That's simply not true.

Creating an MVP is the best way to discover if your idea will capture the market or not. We've built over 100 MVPs, and I'd like to share how you can minimize the chances of failure. Michael Seibel from Y Combinator shared a meme that perfectly illustrates what a good MVP should look like.

Don’t fall into the trap of perfectionism.

Here’s a simple truth: Your MVP doesn't need to be perfect.

We've built plenty of perfect products that ultimately failed, and many simple MVPs that quickly dominated the market. These successful MVPs had a few things in common...

How to build MVP that dominates the market? - Three Core of a Successful MVP

Work in a small niche.

Small audience, but well-adapted product. Take a cue from the best:

• Shopify started as an online snowboard store.
• Airbnb started by renting out air mattresses in an apartment.
• Netflix started as a DVD rental service.
• Paypal started as a security software company.
• Spotify started as a peer-to-peer music service.

Choose a problem and then solve it perfectly.

It’s minimum viable product. Not the minimum releasable crap.

An MVP should be about delivering real value, not just releasing something for the sake of it.

A "Minimum Viable Product" means focusing on a main solution to a specific problem, not cutting corners just to get something out there. Identify a real problem your users face, and solve it effectively.

Avoid falling into the trap of releasing an underdeveloped product; your MVP should be simple, but it must be functional and valuable, showing your users you understand their needs and are committed to quality.

If you can - just go!

Why? Because you want to validate that you’ve spotted the right problem and that people are willing to pay for it.

1. Choose a niche
2. Solve a problem
3. Choose neccessary features
4. Launch the MVP in 2-4 weeks

Short lessons from developing 100+ MVPs

Perfectionism

It doesn’t need to be perfect. You need to validate your idea, that’s the MVP goal.

Low Budget

Start small, that’s okay. Allocate your budget towards validating core ideas. Prioritize building only essential features that help you gather feedback from real users.

Choosing a Software House

A good software house not only builds your MVP but also helps you succeed with your software. With their support, you have a greater chance of success compared to going it alone. Article about choosing a software house you can read here:

No technical experience

Easy way: Choose a software house. They provide a complete team of experts who handle technical challenges, keep you informed, and ensure efficient progress.

Hard way: Find a co-founder. This may bring commitment and vision, but you'll need to spend significant time finding someone with the right skills, and you may still face challenges managing the technical side.