We wasted 6 months building a 'perfect' MVP with every bell and whistle. Then a mentor asked: 'Would you rather impress 5 investors or solve a real problem for 500 users?' Here’s what we learned:
Speed > Polish: Our ugly-but-functional prototype (literally duct-taped hardware) got 10x more user feedback than the slick version.
The 'Burger Test': If you can’t explain your core value while eating a burger, it’s too complex. We cut 7 'nice-to-have' features to focus on the one thing users paid for.
Pre-Sell the Scars: Sharing our messy journey (failed prototypes, awkward sales calls) built more trust than any polished case study.
Pro tip: Track how many times you say 'and' in your pitch—each one is a hidden complexity tax. We documented our MVP mistakes to help others skip the vanity phase. What’s your 'ugly MVP' story?
