Startups
MVP development for startups: from idea to launch
An MVP (minimum viable product) is the first version of a product: it contains only what is needed to put it in users’ hands and find out whether the idea works. I am Gaetano Racioppa, Software Engineer: I work with founders and startups on the path from idea to a published product, taking care of technical feasibility, technology choices, app and backend development and release.
Those starting a project need a technical contact who says clearly what can be built, what is better postponed and which choices will weigh on the future: that is the role I play, besides writing the code.
The mistakes an MVP should avoid
Too many features
A first version that tries to do everything ships late and does not tell you which feature really matters.
Wrong technical choices
Technologies chosen because they are fashionable can force a rewrite as soon as the product grows.
A prototype mistaken for a product
A demo that works in a presentation is not an app that can be published on the stores.
No data after launch
Without measuring how the product is used, the next version is decided by intuition.
What development includes
- Analysis of the idea and check of technical feasibility
- Definition of the essential features of the first version
- Clickable prototype, when it helps to validate the flows before developing
- Mobile app for Android and iOS with Flutter
- Backend and database sized for the initial stage, with room to grow
- Store publication
- Later iterations based on user feedback
Technologies and how I choose them
For an MVP what counts is development speed and the ability to change direction. Flutter lets you launch on Android and iOS with a single codebase; Firebase provides authentication, database and notifications without managing servers in the early stage.
When the product has complex logic or particular data requirements, it makes more sense to start straight away with a tailored .NET backend. The choice depends on the product, not on a fixed recipe.
How I work
- 01
First conversation
A call to understand goals, users, constraints and what already exists.
- 02
Estimate and scope
We define features and priorities together; the estimate is based on the agreed scope.
- 03
Iterative development
Intermediate, verifiable releases, so you can see and try the product as it takes shape.
- 04
Testing and quality
Automated tests and checks on real devices and environments before every release.
- 05
Release
Store publication or go-live, following a repeatable procedure.
- 06
Maintenance and evolution
Fixes, updates and new features after the first release.
Frequently asked questions
What should the first version include?
Only what is needed to test the product’s main hypothesis. During analysis we separate the indispensable features from those that can wait for the first user feedback.
Will the MVP have to be rewritten from scratch?
Not necessarily. If the architecture is set up sensibly, the first version becomes the base on which the product grows. The shortcuts taken to launch sooner should be made explicit and planned for.
Can I start without a specification document?
Yes. A clear idea of the problem to solve and of the users you are addressing is enough: the specifications are built together during analysis.
How much does an MVP cost and how long does it take?
It depends on the number of features, the integrations with other systems, the level of polish of the interface and what already exists. That is why I do not publish price lists: after the first conversation I prepare an estimate based on the agreed scope.
Related pages
Let’s talk about your idea
Tell me the problem you want to solve, who you are addressing and where you are at.