The MVP Trap: Why Your First Version Needs More Than You Think
The lean startup playbook says ship fast and iterate. But shipping too little can be just as dangerous as shipping too much.
"Just ship an MVP" has become startup gospel. And while the core principle is sound — validate before you invest — too many teams interpret it as permission to ship something broken.
The Minimum Is Higher Than You Think
In 2026, user expectations are shaped by products made by the best teams in the world. Your MVP doesn't need every feature, but it needs to feel polished and intentional.
What "Viable" Actually Means
Viable means someone would pay for it. Not "someone might theoretically use it if it were free and they had nothing else to do." The bar is higher than most founders admit.
Our Approach
We help clients define the smallest thing that proves the biggest assumption. That's usually not a feature list — it's a single, well-executed user journey.