I've seen too many founders build prototypes thinking they're building MVPs. The difference is crucial: prototypes are for showing, MVPs are for growing. One gets you funding, the other gets you customers.
The best MVPs I've seen were the ones that focused on solving real problems for real users, not impressing investors or stakeholders. They were built to be used, not just demonstrated.
MVP: Solves Real Problems
An MVP addresses actual user pain points with working solutions. It's not just a demonstration - it's a tool people can use to accomplish real tasks and see real value.
MVP: User-Focused
Prototypes are built to show investors or stakeholders. MVPs are built to serve users. The difference is in who you're building for and what success looks like.
MVP: Market Ready
A prototype might work in a demo environment. An MVP works in production, handles real data, and can be used by real customers without breaking or requiring constant support.
MVP: Iteration Ready
Prototypes are often throwaway code. MVPs are built with the foundation to evolve, scale, and improve based on real user feedback and business needs.
The MVP Mindset
Building an MVP is about creating something that can survive in the real world, not just look good in a presentation. It's about building for users, not for stakeholders.
The most successful MVPs I've seen were the ones where we asked "Can someone actually use this?" instead of "Does this look impressive?" The difference in outcomes was dramatic.
How to Build Real MVPs
Start by identifying the core problem you're solving and the minimum set of features needed to solve it. Then build those features to production quality, not demo quality.
Focus on user experience over visual polish. Build for edge cases and real-world usage. Test with actual users, not just stakeholders. And always ask yourself: "Can someone use this independently?"
A Personal Reflection
I used to think that MVPs and prototypes were the same thing. Now I understand that the difference is fundamental: prototypes are for showing, MVPs are for growing.
The most successful products I've seen were the ones that started as real MVPs - products that solved real problems and could be used by real users. Prototypes rarely become successful products.
Exploring new ideas? Me too.
I’m always curious about early-stage projects, especially the ones that move fast, test early, and aim to solve something real.