Beyond pre-accelerator accepts each year dozensof entrepreneurs who aim to develop the next big startup. As the programfollows the lean startup methodology, in the second practical phase, the goalfor each startup is to develop an MVP (minimal viable product). Our teamhas noticed that there are always a lot of confusions in startup teams whatexactly the MVP should be in their specific case.
In general, MVP isa small piece of the whole product/service which can be developed easy, quicklyand cheap in order to find out if the product/service will be valuable for theusers or not. What is important to them, what they are ready to pay for.Provoked by this, we have decided to describe 9 MVPs of some of the biggeststartups worldwide in order to make things clearer.
1. Zappos
The founder had just launched a small webpagewith random pictures of shoes from the shop in his neighborhood. Once he hadunderstood that people could buy shoes without trying, he started investingmore in development.
2. Buffer
Instead of building an app, Buffer started withlanding pages. They had offered social media post scheduling for free or twopaid options. Once they had received more paid plans inquires than free plans,they moved it forward.
3. Facebook
The project started as a small networking toolfor connecting students in the college. The founder started developing profilesand other features after the graphs showed that users were growing and engaging.
4. Angellist
They started building their networks by usingtheir own e-mail contacts. When they found out that more and more people werejoining the project, they began to think of a platform.
5. Dropbox
The team just made a video with an explanationof the idea. The feedback from users was incredible, so they startedlooking for funding.
6. Groupon
The project started with a wordpress webpage,where last minute meals were listed on discounts from local restaurants and coffeeshops. Once they got traction, they started scaling in the city.
7. Amazon
Bezos started with a small book trading webpage. After hisbusiness has started growing, he has decided to add products from newverticals.
8. Foursquare
The startup started with only one feature. Aftercollecting a real user base, the project has grown to what we know it now.
9. Airbnb
The founder started to give a room in his rentalapartment in order to earn money. After he noticed the big demand, he decidedto make a platform for short-term apartment rentals.
In conclusion, MVP is something small that will prove or not yourhypothesis. MVP will save you time and money from moving in the wrong directionand at the same time with few resources can give validation of how big thepotential of your startup is. Apply for Beyond Season #5 to help you build yourMVP.
