Why most MVPs fail (and how to fix yours)

The term “MVP” (Minimum Viable Product) has lost its meaning. For many founders, it has become an excuse to ship buggy software. For others, it’s a bloated product that took 6 months and $50k to build, only to find zero market fit.

The “Minimum” is crucial

At TENEX, we believe an MVP should focus on a single value proposition. If you are building a food delivery app, you don’t need a loyalty point system, a referral engine, or AI recommendations in version one. You need to successfully deliver food from Point A to Point B. Everything else is distraction.

Validation over Code

We often ask new clients: “Do you need an app, or do you need a Typeform?” Sometimes, the best code is no code. Before we write a single line of React or Python, we want to ensure the business logic holds up. We have validated entire business models using a landing page and a spreadsheet. It’s not “cheating”; it’s smart business.

The 2-Week Rule

If the core hypothesis cannot be tested in a 2-4 week build, it might be too complex for an initial stage. Break it down. Speed is your only advantage against incumbents. If you spend 6 months building in a cave, the market has already moved on.

Tech Stack Matters Less Than You Think

Founders obsess over “Scalability” before they have 10 users. Use tools that let you move fast. Next.js, Supabase, Firebase, or even simple no-code tools. You can rewrite the backend in Go or Rust when you have 1 million users. Until then, optimize for iteration speed, not theoretical scale.