Real-Life Success Stories That Started With MVP
Have you ever thought the apps that are so commonly used nowadays were started as MVPs? Their examples show how wise it is to start a big thing with MVP and gradually scale it. Let’s discover a few cases.
Spotify
Spotify's MVP development exemplifies a successful product launch aligned with their vision, all without risking financial strain. Their vision, delivering personalized music and incentivizing artists through shares, was achieved using an iterative approach that integrates Lean Startup, Agile, and MVP methodologies.
In a 4-stage iterative product cycle—Think It, Build It, Ship It, Tweak It—Spotify efficiently progressed through the development phases:
- Think It: Strategize the product, create prototypes, and internally test viability.
- Build It: Develop a tangible MVP ready for user testing.
- Ship It: Gradually release the MVP, gather user data, and make improvements.
- Tweak It: Continually iterate relying on feedback until revamping or closure, leading back to the Think It stage.
This process, emphasizing small teams or 'squads' working on compact batches, integrates practices from Lean Startup and Agile Methodology. Spotify's roadmap focused on cost-effective prototyping, launching when a quality baseline was reached, and evolving based on user feedback. This strategic approach fueled Spotify's impressive growth from zero to over 1 million paying subscribers in the competitive U.S. market, showcasing the effectiveness of their innovative development strategy.
Uber
Uber's inception traces back to 2008 in Paris when Travis Kalanick and Garrett Camp, unable to hail a cab after a tech conference, conceived the idea for a timeshare limo service accessible through an app.
Garrett Camp initiated the development of UberCab as a side project in 2019, testing the service with just three cars in New York in early 2010. The official launch unfolded in San Francisco in May 2010, with UberCab's popularity soaring due to its simple and efficient car ordering process.
Uber strategically recruited limo drivers with existing livery licenses, targeting those who were already successful in their businesses. The initial focus was on the tech-savvy community in San Francisco, enticing passengers with free rides at local tech events. Recognizing the city's tech-centric atmosphere, Uber aimed to regularly engage with a community eager for innovative tools and services.
Within 18 months of operation, Uber secured $32 million in Series B funding, had 60 cars on the streets, expanded to Paris, and ventured beyond San Francisco to Seattle, Chicago, New York, Washington D.C., and Boston.
The evolution of Uber's MVP development is a captivating narrative illustrating how a straightforward concept can evolve into a worldwide sensation.
Airbnb
In 2007, Airbnb's journey kicked off when two designers, facing the challenge of affording their San Francisco loft's rent, hosted three travelers in their living room. Converting it into a makeshift bed and breakfast for attendees of a local design conference, they established the early version of Airbnb, initially named "AirBed & Breakfast."
This marked Airbnb's MVP phase—a basic website offering air mattress stays. This simple platform served as a testing ground, enabling the founders to collect feedback from early users.
The founders, committed to improvement, iterated on their product based on user feedback. Introducing features like professional photography and user reviews significantly enhanced the platform's user experience and trust.
Airbnb's MVP strategy allowed them to start modestly, validate their business idea, and understand user needs before substantial product development investments. Today, Airbnb stands as a global platform connecting those renting out their homes with individuals seeking accommodations.