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You’ve got an idea. It’s got potential. You’ve scribbled down a wireframe or maybe even mocked up a landing page. You’re ready to test, right?
Not so fast.
If you’ve ever poured hours into building something just to hear crickets… you’re not alone. It’s not the MVP that failed you—it’s what came before it.
Here’s the hard truth: most MVPs are built on shaky ground. Founders assume what users need, what pains they feel, and what they’ll pay for.
And when those assumptions are off, all the lean, agile hustle in the world can’t save you.
That’s why before every Minimum Viable Product, you need something even more foundational: Minimum Viable Insights (MVIs).
What is an MVI?
An MVI (Minimum Viable Insight) is the smallest, testable truth about your target user’s problem, motivation, or workaround that can predictably guide your solution.
It’s not a feature. It’s not a demo. It’s a signal.
You don’t start with “Would you use this?”
You start with “Why do you do it that way?” or “What frustrates you about it?”
Where MVPs test solutions, MVIs test assumptions.
MVP vs MVI – A Quick Table
| MVP | MVI | |
|---|---|---|
| Goal | Test solution viability | Uncover validated, painful problem worth solving |
| Output | Prototype, landing page, product demo | Customer insight, behavioral data, language + workarounds |
| Failure Mode | Building too much, too soon | Making assumptions about what matters |
| Time to Build | Days to weeks | Hours to a few days (interviews, tests, observation) |
| Emotion Targeted | “Would you use this?” | “Why do you do it that way?” / “What do you hate about it?” |
MVPs are downstream. MVIs are the headwaters.
What makes MVIs essential?
Because most ideas fail for reasons that could’ve been caught with a few real conversations or observations.
Too many “entrepreneurs” skip this. They build. They launch. They hope.
But entrepreneurship isn’t about gambling—it’s about creating value by solving real pain, enabling real gain, or fulfilling a job people already want done.
MVIs cut through the fog of your own bias. They reduce uncertainty. They build clarity.
And when you have clarity, you:
- Build faster
- Write sharper copy
- Pivot with purpose
- Target more precisely
- Gain trust instantly
“But I don’t know anyone” – common excuses, busted
Let’s be honest. Saying “I’m shy” or “I don’t know people” is often code for “I’m scared”.
Fear of being wrong. Fear of rejection. Fear of looking stupid.
But here’s a reframing trick I use:
“What’s the worst thing that could happen?”
“Can I live with that?”
If the answer is yes, I go for it.
There are so many ways to get MVIs today:
- Reddit threads and niche forums
- Talking to friends or ex-colleagues
- Observing behavior in relevant spaces
- Running cheap tests or simple polls
- Browsing product reviews or complaints
The real blocker isn’t resources—it’s resolve.
Also read here for deeper insights: The Truth About Mindsets—And How They Quietly Shape Your Life
This idea of MVIs before MVPs sits at the heart of building strategic, validated businesses—not just “launch fast” hustle.
If you’re developing a product, copy, or even a positioning statement, you’ll find MVIs make everything sharper.
This ties directly to our “Entrepreneurial Journey”-series:
→ coming soon 🙂
Read next:
→ coming soon 🙂
Personal Note
Challenge
Think of one idea you’ve been excited about but haven’t acted on. Maybe because there are too many ways in. Or none that feel quite right.
This week, go out and talk to 5 people who might be your future users. Ask them about their current process, pains, and workarounds.
Write down your insights. Then step back and ask:
- What surprised you?
- What’s still unclear?
- What truth is too loud to ignore?
That’s your MVI. Start there.
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