PoC, Prototype, or MVP

Choosing the Right Tool for the Right Stage

Many founders waste months—and burn precious capital—because they jump into building an MVP before testing if the idea is even feasible or usable. Steve Blank warned us years ago: a startup is not a small version of a big company, it’s a search for a repeatable and scalable business model. That search requires the right tools at the right moment.

Let’s break it down.

Proof of Concept (PoC) → Can it be built?

A PoC is all about feasibility.
✓ Focused on one critical technical feature or integration
✓ Internal, often without a user interface
✓ Built for engineers, not end-users

Think of it as answering the first hypothesis: is this even technically possible?

Prototype → What does it feel like?

A prototype is about usability and design.
✓ Visualizes look, feel, and interaction
✓ Collects feedback from stakeholders and test users
✓ Doesn’t need real backend logic

It’s not about proving it works, but about showing this is how it could work.

Minimum Viable Product (MVP) → Does the market care?

An MVP is where hypotheses meet reality.
✓ Core features only, but fully functional
✓ Used by real customers in the real market
✓ Designed to validate product/market fit

It’s the first real test of whether the problem you’ve solved matters enough for people to pay—or engage—at scale.

Startup Life Cycle Alignment

According to the Startup Genome model:
→ Discovery stage aligns with PoCs and prototypes.
→ Validation stage begins with the MVP.
→ Only after validation should you move toward efficiency and scaling.

The Soluntech Approach

At Soluntech, we guide founders through these stages intentionally:
✦ We don’t just build to spec. We help you decide what exactly should be built.
✦ Sometimes the smartest move is a quick PoC. Other times, a design prototype unlocks clarity.
✦ And when you’re ready for the market test, we help you launch a lean MVP—fast.

By sequencing PoC, prototype, and MVP correctly, you avoid the trap of scaling a product nobody wants.

Final Takeaway

• PoC proves it can be built.

• Prototype shows what it feels like.

• MVP tests if the market cares.

Founders who skip steps risk burning time and money. Those who follow the sequence maximize learning and minimize waste.

Ready to Build What Matters?

Whether you need a PoC to test feasibility, a prototype to align stakeholders, or an MVP to test real demand, we’ll help you take the right step at the right time. Let’s make sure you invest wisely and build what your market truly needs.

Book a call with Soluntech today and move forward with confidence.