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Definition
MVP
A Minimum Viable Product is the simplest version of a product that delivers enough value to early users to validate a business idea. An MVP includes only the core features necessary to test whether the product solves a real problem worth paying for.
The MVP approach was popularised by Eric Ries in The Lean Startup. The core principle is that you should not build a full product before knowing whether customers want it. Instead, build the minimum set of features that demonstrates your value proposition, launch it to early users, and iterate based on real feedback and usage data. An MVP is not a prototype or a demo — it is a working product that delivers real value, just with a focused feature set. The MVP should be built on production-grade technology so it can scale into the full product without rewriting from scratch.
The primary reason startups fail is building products nobody wants. An MVP lets founders test their hypothesis with real users for a fraction of the full development cost. MVPs also serve as working demos for investor conversations, providing evidence of execution capability and market demand. The MVP approach is not just for startups — established businesses use MVPs to validate new product lines and internal tools before committing large budgets.
MVPs should be built with production-grade technologies (Next.js, PostgreSQL, TypeScript) using clean architecture that supports future scaling. The key technical discipline is ruthless feature prioritisation — including only what is needed to validate the core hypothesis. Authentication, basic analytics, and feedback collection mechanisms should be included from day one. Elsio builds MVPs in 2-week sprints with weekly demos to ensure alignment with the founding team's vision.
A subscription product with 3 to 5 core features, authentication, and Stripe billing — enough to onboard early customers and validate product-market fit.
A two-sided platform with listing, search, and basic transaction capability — enough to test supply and demand dynamics.
An AI-powered tool with core intelligent features — enough to demonstrate the technology's value and collect user feedback.
A business tool solving one specific operational problem — enough for internal pilot testing and ROI validation.
MVP development in the UK typically depends on feature complexity. This is significantly less than full product development, allowing rapid market testing.