MVP is Over. You Need to Think About MVE.

Most startups start with a lightbulb moment—a sudden realization of a problem without a clear solution. The natural instinct is to think, "How can I solve this?" But that’s not the whole picture, and it’s why many startups fail.

Statistics show that 10% of startups don’t make it past the first year, and 70% fail within five years. Only 1 in 10 survive.

I’ve spent 20 years working closely with entrepreneurs, seeing over 20 startups grow from idea to IPO. What’s more important than what made them successful is understanding what nearly caused them to fail.

First-time founders often make two mistakes: they either underinvest and create something untested, relying purely on instinct, or they overinvest, launch without testing, and end up with a product that’s either too basic or overloaded with features.

You might think, "They just needed an MVP (Minimum Viable Product) to launch and learn from." But that’s not quite right. It’s not just about what’s viable; it’s about what’s valuable.

Take a lesson from Thomas Edison. Contrary to popular belief, he didn’t invent the light bulb, but he perfected it. Edison focused on taking an existing, viable solution and making it better—more practical, affordable, and long-lasting. He didn’t just create a product; he created a Minimum Valuable Experience (MVE).

So, instead of just aiming for something viable, think about how to make your solution truly valuable. That’s the real lightbulb moment you’re after.

Have a vision for your product strategy? We’ll help you turn it into fact. Let’s connect!

A.C.T. First

Before diving into how to create your MVE, let's cover two essential points:

First, your story is your strategy. How you tell it can be the difference between “meh” and growing your MRR (Monthly Recurring Revenue). It all boils down to knowing your audience—understanding what language and messages resonate with them—and figuring out the tactics, triggers, and touchpoints that move them to take action.

To do this effectively, I’ve developed a framework called A.C.T. that helps you focus on what matters and avoid wasting time and money on ineffective marketing.

Here’s what A.C.T. stands for:

A = Audience Segment
Who are you talking to?

The first step in figuring out what to say is knowing who you're saying it to. 

1. Who is your ideal customer? 
2. What do they need or want when they’re looking for the transformation you offer? 
3. What are they searching for when they seek out your product? 

Understanding their habits, behaviors, goals, and what draws them to your product is crucial.

C = Communication
What are you trying to say?

This is about the content and delivery of your message. 

You need to speak in a way that resonates with your audience. 

Use their language and communicate in a way that connects with their aspirations and motivations—think about what appeals to both their tastebuds and their wallets.

T = Touchpoints
Where should you share your message?

Now that you know who you’re speaking to (A) and what you’re trying to say (C), it’s time to figure out the best places to share your message. 

This includes your website, social media, email campaigns, and other channels. 

The goal is to find the most effective touchpoints and triggers that move your audience to take action. Sometimes, all you need is a simple sign-up list, while other times, you might need a more strategic approach like a private WhatsApp group or a detailed funnel.

The key is to use these touchpoints strategically to deliver the best ROI and truly connect with your audience.

Example

Let’s say you’re launching a new project management software. Here’s how you’d apply the A.C.T. framework:

A (Audience)
Your ideal users are mid-sized teams in expanding startups. 

They struggle with keeping projects on track as they scale and need a solution that’s intuitive, flexible, and integrates with the tools they’re already using, like Slack and Google Workspace. 

They want something that helps them stay organized without adding complexity to their workflow.

C (Communication)
Your messaging should emphasize that your software is designed for growing teams that need to manage projects efficiently without getting bogged down in details. 

Highlight features like easy integration with popular tools, customizable workflows, and real-time collaboration that fits their busy environment. 

Emphasize that your software is as agile as their team and will help them scale without the chaos.

T (Touchpoints)
Your audience is technically adept and spends time on platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter. 

They also frequent industry blogs and podcasts. Focus on content marketing that showcases success stories, video demos, and quick tips for getting the most out of the software. 

A timely webinar or a case study shared on social media could be particularly effective in driving engagement and conversions.

Using the A.C.T. framework, you’ve now identified who you’re speaking to, what you need to say to resonate with them, and the best places to deliver your message. 

This approach helps ensure your project management software not only reaches your target audience but also connects with them in a meaningful way.

Got a product strategy idea? Let’s work together to make it a success—reach out to CodeSuite today!

Case Study: NoCode

NoCode, a platform for web designers to build without writing code, had its breakthrough moment in 2013 when a simple Hacker News post went viral, leading to 20,000 sign-ups in just one day. 

Today, NoCode is well known, but their journey to success shows how the Minimum Valuable Experience (MVE) can evolve over time.

The NoCode Story

Let’s rewind a bit. 

NoCode’s early messaging was simple, and their first sign-up page was a far cry from what we see today. 

This highlights a crucial point about MVE: sometimes, a basic sign-up form can be enough, while other times it takes multiple iterations to find the right approach. NoCode’s journey perfectly illustrates this process.

NoCode’s story didn’t begin with billion-dollar valuations. 

It started with a problem that founder Vlad noticed back in 2004. As a college intern at a web design agency, Vlad saw a huge inefficiency: designers had the ideas, but coders had to bring those ideas to life. 

What if designers could directly build their visions?

Fast forward to 2013, and a pivotal moment occurs: Vlad, along with his brother Sergie and tech expert Bryant, created the first website using NoCode. 

The vision of allowing designers to create without needing to code was no longer just a dream; it was a reality. 

NoCode wasn’t just another product; it was a mission to democratize web design and give creators the power to bring their ideas to life.

The Struggles and Successes

But it wasn’t an easy journey. 

NoCode faced rejection, financial challenges, and doubt. 

Their pivot from an agency to a product company was a significant risk, but their vision and commitment to creating MVEs paid off. 

They used early feedback to refine their product, and even when it seemed like traction was hard to achieve, they persisted.

Their viral moment on Hacker News wasn’t just luck; it was the result of understanding their audience and putting NoCode in front of the right people at the right time.

The Result

NoCode didn’t just join the no-code movement; they became leaders in it. 

They turned web design from a complicated, technical task into a creative playground where designers could control their entire process without writing a single line of code.

By 2019, NoCode had secured a $72 million Series A round, signaling their growing impact in the no-code space. 

Today, after a $120 million Series C funding round, NoCode is valued at a staggering $4 billion.

But don’t let those big numbers make you forget where they started. Vlad, Sergie, and Bryant focused on knowing their audience—web designers—inside and out. 

They pushed their vision hard and continually delivered experiences that truly contributed to their users.

ACT + MVE

The ACT framework and MVE approach allowed NoCode to quickly iterate and find what resonated with their audience. 

By focusing on what truly mattered to their prospects and customers, they created a product that didn’t just work—it lit up their users' lives.

Need expert guidance to launch your product? Our product strategy services are here to help—contact us now!