hmu.ai
Back to Startup Dictionary
Startup Dictionary

MVP

Definition

Minimum Viable Product; a product with just enough features to satisfy early customers and provide feedback.

Deep Dive

A Minimum Viable Product (MVP) is a strategy and a product concept used in lean startup methodology, where a new product or service is launched with just enough core features to satisfy early adopters and gather validated learning about customer behavior and market demand. The goal is not to deliver a feature-rich, polished product, but rather to release the absolute minimum required functionality that solves a core problem for a specific user segment. This initial release allows the development team to quickly test key assumptions, collect user feedback, and iterate the product in subsequent versions based on real-world usage.

Examples & Use Cases

  • 1Dropbox initially launching with a simple video demonstrating its file synchronization capabilities
  • 2Airbnb's founders first renting out airbeds in their apartment to test market demand for short-term lodging
  • 3Zappos starting by taking pictures of shoes from local stores and listing them online to validate interest in online shoe sales

Related Terms

Lean StartupProduct-Market FitIteration

Part of the hmu.ai extensive business and technology library.