MVP vs. Proof of Concept: What’s the Difference and Which One Do You Need?
- samueljpart
- Feb 25
- 3 min read
One of the biggest misconceptions I see from founders is not knowing whether they need a proof of concept (PoC) or a minimum viable product (MVP). Many jump straight into building an MVP when they actually need a proof of concept first, while others stay stuck in endless validation when they should be launching. Both are valuable—but they serve completely different purposes. Let’s break it down.
What Is a Proof of Concept (PoC)?
A Proof of Concept (PoC) is a simple test to see if your idea is technically feasible or if there’s real demand. It’s not a product, not market-ready, and doesn’t need to be scalable—it’s purely an experiment to confirm that the core idea works before investing more time or money.
✅ When you need a Proof of Concept:
You need to test if something is technically possible.
You want to validate demand before committing to full development.
You need investor or stakeholder buy-in before spending resources.
Examples of a Proof of Concept:
🚀 Airbnb’s first test: The founders rented out air mattresses in their apartment to see if strangers would actually pay to stay in someone’s home. That’s a PoC—it proved people were willing to do it.
🚀 A restaurant testing demand: A chef considering opening a restaurant might run a pop-up event or partner with an existing kitchen before signing a lease. If no one shows up, they just saved themselves thousands.
🚀 A simple landing page with a ‘Buy Now’ button: Before building a full e-commerce store, you create a page describing your product and run ads to see if people click the button. No actual product, just testing interest.
💡 Tip: If you’re unsure whether people will buy your product, start with a PoC first.
What Is a Minimum Viable Product (MVP)?
An MVP (Minimum Viable Product) is a basic but functional version of your product that is ready to be used by early adopters. It’s not just a test—it’s the first version of your actual product that customers can interact with and give feedback on.
✅ When you need an MVP:
You’ve already validated the idea with a PoC and are ready to test a real product.
You want to see how customers use your product in real life.
You need early feedback before committing to a full-scale launch.
Examples of an MVP:
🚀 Uber’s first version: The first Uber app only worked with a few drivers in San Francisco. No complex features, just a simple way to book a ride.
🚀 Dropbox’s MVP approach: Instead of building the full product, Dropbox created a simple explainer video to gauge demand before investing in development.
🚀 A personal trainer launching a coaching program: Instead of building a huge online platform, they start with one-on-one sessions over Zoom to test their process and pricing.
💡 Tip: Your MVP shouldn’t be perfect—it should be just good enough to get real feedback.
Key Differences: MVP vs. PoC
Feature | Proof of Concept (PoC) | Minimum Viable Product (MVP) |
Purpose | Test if the idea is feasible | Test how customers interact with it |
Development | Basic or no development | A functional product, but not polished |
Users | Internal testing or a small group | Real customers using the product |
Scalability | Not designed to scale | Designed to be improved over time |
Investment | Low cost, low effort | Higher cost, but still lean |
💡 Still not sure which one you need? Ask yourself: 🔹 Do I need to prove my idea works before building anything? → Start with a PoC. 🔹 Have I already validated demand and now need real customer feedback? → Build an MVP.
Which One Do You Need?
If you’re still in the early idea phase, a proof of concept is your best bet—it’s quick, cheap, and helps you avoid unnecessary risk. If you’ve already validated the core idea, an MVP will get your product in front of real users so you can refine it based on actual feedback.
💡 Still unsure? I help founders figure out the right approach based on their goals, budget, and market. Let’s chat and map out the best way forward.
🚀 Book a free 30-min call, and let’s figure it out together.
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