What is Minimum Viable Product? — UK Software Development Guide
Direct Answer
A Minimum Viable Product (MVP) is the smallest version of a product that allows you to validate your most important business assumption with real users and learn from their behaviour. An MVP is production-quality software that real users can sign up for and use — not a prototype or mockup. The concept comes from Eric Ries' Lean Startup methodology.
Minimum-viable-product in the UK
UK MVPs often qualify for Innovate UK Smart Grants (£25,000–£500,000 for innovative technology projects) and HMRC R&D Tax Credits (up to 27% of qualifying spend returned). ClickMasters builds MVPs in 6–16 weeks from £12,000. UK GDPR compliance must be built into MVPs from day one — even an MVP processes personal data and is subject to ICO enforcement.
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