Early-stage paradox solved: launching a product without seed funding (or a CTO)

"A core component of Lean Startup methodology is the build-measure-learn feedback loop" (theleanstartup.com) But how can you measure and learn if you can not afford to build?

For the last year or so, we were trying to crack the early stage startups paradox: Seed investors want traction, an MVP (Minimum Viable Product) is required to gain the traction - and many teams can not develop, or finance the development, of such product. During my career in young startups I was convinced that this inability to actually field-test ideas, due to development cost, was the death kiss to many high potential ventures.

"A core component of Lean Startup methodology is the build-measure-learn feedback loop" (theleanstartup.com)

But how can you measure and learn if you can not afford to build?

We've started with single device and hosted prototypes - good, but not enough, as the main goal is interacting with substantial number of users. After some turns and tweaks, we came up with a much more valid solution: new, simpler server architecture, enabling us to develop the product core - a production level backend - at a fraction of the time and cost required when using the server-side technologies currently on offer.

The outcome is not a demo or a limited product, but a fully functional app - that can be uploaded to app stores or accessed via a responsive web client. The MVP can handle reasonable amounts of users from day one, and is upgradable to support the startup growth needs.

To introduce this revolutionary service, intended to disrupt a market where a server-based app could cost $30K-$50 easy, App U Go is developing Ten simple MVPs, including a full backend and a front-end app (Web/AOS/iOS) starting at $9,000

The MVPs are fully developed in Israel, and are typically delivered within 30 working days. Backend-only development is also available.

If your app is relatively simple technologically, your team can afford $9K to take it to the next level, and you'd rather go to the investors with some users and metrics instead of a presentation - things have just became much easier.