What is “Minimum Viable Product (MVP)”?

Minimum Viable Product (MVP) is a product development strategy where a new product is launched with just enough core features to satisfy early adopters. The goal is to quickly release a working version of the product to validate market interest and gather feedback for improvement. This approach minimizes wasted resources and helps ensure that the final product meets real user needs.

MVPs are especially common in startups and tech ventures where speed, testing, and iteration are critical for success. By launching small and learning fast, businesses reduce the risk of building a product nobody wants.

Example

“Our startup launched an MVP to test the core features, and user feedback helped shape the full version we released later.”

How is “Minimum Viable Product (MVP)” used in business?

In business, MVPs are used to validate product ideas quickly and cost-effectively. Product managers, developers, and entrepreneurs use MVPs to test assumptions, gather user insights, and improve based on real-world usage before investing in full-scale development. MVPs support a lean, iterative approach to building products.

Pro Tip

Focus only on the must-have features when building your MVP—adding too much defeats its purpose and delays feedback.

Related Terms

Product-market fit, lean startup, prototyping, user feedback