The MVP Blueprint for Montreal Startups
The most successful startups — Airbnb, Uber, Instagram — all started with an MVP. A Minimum Viable Product is the simplest version of your app that delivers value and validates your business hypothesis.
What an MVP Is (and Is Not)
An MVP IS: The smallest product that tests your core hypothesis. A real, functional product built to learn, not to scale. Good enough to charge money for.
An MVP is NOT: A prototype or mockup. A bad version of your product. An excuse to skip design.
The MVP Development Process
Phase 1: Problem Validation (1-2 weeks) — Interview 20+ potential users, analyze competitors, define your unique value proposition.
Phase 2: Solution Design (2-3 weeks, $5K-$10K) — Identify the ONE core feature, create user flows, design key screens, build a clickable prototype.
Phase 3: MVP Development (6-10 weeks, $15K-$40K) — Build core feature only, use Flutter for cross-platform, leverage BaaS, implement basic analytics.
Phase 4: Launch & Learn (2-4 weeks) — Submit to App Store and Google Play, launch to 50-200 beta users, track retention, engagement, and conversion.
MVP Cost Breakdown for Montreal
- Micro MVP (3-5 screens, 1 feature): $15K-$25K, 6-8 weeks
- Standard MVP (8-12 screens, 2-3 features): $25K-$45K, 8-12 weeks
- Complex MVP (15+ screens, AI integration): $45K-$80K, 12-16 weeks
Common MVP Mistakes
1. Building too many features — 3 features max
2. Skipping design — MVP does not equal ugly
3. No analytics — measure from day one
4. Waiting too long to launch — ship at 80% ready
5. Ignoring unit economics
When to Move Past the MVP
Your MVP has done its job when: retention > 20% Day 30, conversion > 2%, CAC < LTV/3, NPS > 40.
Contact LIAWEB for a free consultation. We specialize in helping Montreal startups go from idea to launched product in 8-12 weeks.
Written by
Founder & Lead Developer
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