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MVP Launch

From idea to production-ready product. We help founders validate fast, ship confidently, and iterate based on real user feedback.

Most MVP projects start the same way: a founder with a clear vision, a Figma file with too many screens, and a launch window that feels tight. The work isn't building everything—it's figuring out what to cut without losing what matters.

After shipping dozens of MVPs, the pattern is familiar. The first conversation is usually about features. The important conversation is about constraints: what's the one thing this product needs to do well to prove the idea works?

What "MVP" actually means

MVP doesn't mean "barely functional" or "embarrassingly incomplete." It means the smallest thing that delivers real value to real users.

The difference between a good MVP and a bad one isn't polish—it's focus. A good MVP does one thing properly. A bad MVP does five things halfway. We've seen founders burn months adding features that users never touched, while the core flow had friction that killed conversion.

MVP Scope vs. Feature CreepGood MVPCore flow works perfectlyAuth, payments, main feature~6-8 weeksFeature CreepAdmin dashboard, analytics,multi-tenant, i18n, 5 integrations~6-8 months (maybe)don't cross this line

The typical journey

Every project has its quirks, but the shape is usually the same. Four phases, each with a clear purpose:

MVP Launch PhasesWeek 1DiscoveryRequirements deep-diveTech stack decisionsMVP scope definitionWeeks 2-3FoundationProject scaffoldingAuth & databaseCI/CD pipelineWeeks 4-6Core FeaturesMain user flowsIntegrationsPolish & testingWeeks 7-8LaunchProduction deployMonitoring setupHandoff & docsWhat you get at the endProduction-ready codebaseDeployed to your infrastructureFull source code ownershipClean, documented, testedVercel, AWS, or your choiceNo lock-in, take it anywhere

Tech choices that scale

Every technology decision involves tradeoffs. We've settled on a stack that optimizes for three things: speed of development, ease of hiring later, and room to scale. Here's what that looks like:

The Stack (and why)FrontendNext.js 15React frameworkTailwind CSSFast styling iterationRadix UIAccessible componentsReact QueryData fetchingBackendAPI Routesor Hono for complex APIsPostgreSQLReliable, scalableDrizzle ORMType-safe queriesAuth.js / ClerkAuthenticationInfrastructureVercel / AWSHosting & CDNS3-compatibleFile storageResendTransactional emailStripePayments

This isn't the only valid stack. If there's existing infrastructure or strong preferences, we adapt. But we'll be honest if a choice will cause problems later—we've seen too many MVPs painted into corners by early tech decisions.

A word on "no-code" and AI builders

Tools like Bubble, Webflow, or AI code generators have their place. But if you're building something that needs custom logic, integrations, or will handle real user data—you'll hit walls fast. We've helped several founders migrate away from no-code platforms after they outgrew them. Starting with proper code isn't always slower, and it's definitely cheaper than rebuilding later.

What a real MVP looks like

An MVP isn't just screens—it's a system with interconnected parts. Here's how we typically organize things:

Anatomy of an MVPPages & ScreensLogin / SignupDashboardSettingsYour core featureWhat users see and interact withReusable ComponentsButtons, forms, modalsData tablesNavigationFeature-specific UIBuilding blocks, used everywhereBackend LogicAPI endpointsDatabase queriesAuthenticationBusiness rulesWhere the real work happensThird-Party IntegrationsPaymentsStripe, etc.EmailResend, PostmarkAuth ProvidersGoogle, GitHubYour APIsCustom integrations

This structure isn't arbitrary. It maps to how teams think about features, scales when you hire engineers, and lets anyone jump in without a week of onboarding.

Common patterns we implement

Most MVPs need the same building blocks. Rather than reinventing these every time, we have proven patterns that work:

Authentication flow

Users expect to sign in with Google, GitHub, or email. The flow needs to be seamless and secure.

Authentication FlowUserClicks "Sign in"1Auth ProviderGoogle, GitHub, etc.2Your AppVerifies & creates session3DashboardUser is logged inSession stored securely • User data synced to database • Works across devices

Protected routes

Not everything should be public. Certain pages and API endpoints need to verify the user is who they say they are.

Route ProtectionRequest/dashboard/projectsAuth CheckValid session?User exists in DB?YesLoad DataReturn user's projectsNoRedirectSend to login page200

Payment handling

Taking payments is straightforward. Keeping subscriptions in sync with your database—that's where webhooks come in.

Payment & Subscription FlowUserClicks "Upgrade"1Stripe CheckoutSecure payment form2PaymentProcessed3WebhookStripe notifies your app4DatabaseUser → Pro planUser sees "Welcome to Pro!" on next page load

What we need from you

The best MVPs come from close collaboration. We handle the technical execution, but the product vision stays with you. Here's what that looks like in practice:

Your Role in the ProcessAvailabilityWeekly sync callsSlack/async questionsTimely feedback on demos~3-5 hrs/weekDecision MakingClear prioritiesScope trade-off callsQuick approvalsWe advise, you decideDomain KnowledgeYou know your marketUser personasEdge cases we'd missYour expertise + our code

After launch

Shipping is the beginning, not the end. User feedback starts flowing, bugs surface under real load, and feature requests pile up faster than expected. This is normal.

We offer ongoing support through our Engineering Support service for founders who want continued partnership. But we also ensure clean handoff—documented code, standard patterns, no proprietary magic. If you want to hire your own team or work with someone else, the codebase won't fight you.

Pricing

Fixed-price, scoped upfront. No hourly billing, no surprise invoices halfway through.

Essential MVP

For founders who need a focused product to validate their core idea with real users.

$7,500 fixed
  • Core user flows (3-5 screens)
  • Authentication & user accounts
  • One third-party integration
  • Mobile-responsive design
  • Production deployment
  • Source code ownership
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Most Popular

Full MVP

For products that need payments, multiple integrations, or more complex workflows.

$14,000–$19,000
  • Complete user experience (8-12 screens)
  • Payments & billing integration
  • Multiple third-party integrations
  • Admin dashboard
  • Email notifications & workflows
  • Analytics & monitoring setup
  • 2 weeks post-launch support
Book a call

Frequently asked questions

Most MVPs take 6-8 weeks from kickoff to launch. This includes discovery, design, development, and deployment. Complex projects with multiple integrations or unusual requirements may take longer—we'll give you an honest estimate upfront.
MVP projects typically range from $7,500 to $20,000 depending on complexity. We scope projects carefully to avoid surprises. You'll get a fixed quote after our discovery call, and we don't charge for that initial conversation.
No. That's exactly why we exist. We act as your technical partner during the build phase, making technology decisions and writing production-quality code. Many successful startups launch without a technical co-founder—you just need a reliable development partner.
Post-launch iteration is normal and expected. We offer ongoing Engineering Support retainers for continued development. But we also ensure clean handoff—your codebase is documented and maintainable, so you can hire your own team or work with another agency if you prefer.
We primarily build with Next.js, TypeScript, PostgreSQL, and deploy to Vercel or AWS. This stack is battle-tested, scales well, and has excellent developer tooling. We can adapt if you have existing infrastructure or strong preferences.
We occasionally consider equity arrangements for exceptional projects, but our default is cash payment. Equity-based work requires a longer conversation about the opportunity, your traction, and alignment on vision.