A Founding Engineer’s Message to First-Time Founders
Did you know that 90% of startups don’t make it past their first year?
Did you know that 90% of startups don’t make it past their first year? Often, it’s not because the vision lacked merit; it’s because the first product missed its mark—or took too long to find it. If you’re a first-time founder gearing up to launch that crucial MVP (Minimum Viable Product), here are some thoughts from our experience as a founding engineering team—straight from the trenches.
1. The Perfect Team Is a Myth
It’s tempting to hold out for a lineup of rockstar developers who can magically bring your vision to life. In reality, early-stage startups often piece together a team of freelancers, junior devs, and whoever else is eager to pitch in.
My Take:
• Look for Adaptability Over “Rockstars.” A scrappy, curious team that communicates well and learns fast can outperform big names who don’t collaborate.
• Grow Together. Like your product, your team evolves. It won’t be perfect at first—and that’s okay.
Quick Example:
On one of our early projects, the only mobile developer we could afford was fresh out of a coding bootcamp. They weren’t “elite,” but they were hungry to learn. Six months later, they’d built one of the most stable parts of our app—precisely because they embraced feedback and adapted quickly.
2. Beware the Perfection Trap
It’s natural to want your first product to be flawless. But chasing perfection can drain your budget and delay user feedback—the lifeblood of any startup.
My Take:
• Aim for “Good Enough.” Release an MVP that solves the core problem your users face, even if it’s not polished in every aspect.
• Refine Through Real-World Use. Over-engineering a feature nobody wants is a huge setback.
Defining MVP:
Minimum Viable Product means building the smallest, most focused version of your product that can still deliver real value to early adopters.
3. Embrace Learning as You Go
Even with the best planning, users will surprise you. Sometimes the feature you thought was a minor add-on becomes the one everyone raves about, while your “main attraction” goes mostly ignored.
My Take:
• Launch Early, Iterate Often. Real feedback beats even the most thorough internal testing.
• Stay Flexible. Unexpected user behaviors aren’t failures; they’re signposts to better solutions.
Quick Example:
We once spent weeks perfecting a social-sharing tool, thinking it’d be our key growth driver. Instead, users fell in love with a simple chat feature we’d built in a weekend. That unplanned success guided our next development cycle.
4. Rebuilding Isn’t Failure
At some point, you might need to rebuild part—or all—of your product. Maybe the initial architecture can’t scale, or maybe the market shifted. Starting fresh can feel demoralizing, but it’s often the smartest path forward.
My Take:
• Leverage Past Insights. Each rebuild is a chance to fix what didn’t work and apply everything you’ve learned.
• Avoid Sunk Cost Syndrome. Don’t cling to outdated tech or designs just because you’ve already invested time in them.
Pro Tip:
Track why you’re rebuilding. Document the issues (e.g., performance bottlenecks, user feedback, security concerns) so you avoid repeating them in the new version.
5. Mindset Matters More Than Mechanics
A sophisticated tech stack won’t save a team with poor communication or zero alignment on the product’s goals. Not everyone will be as obsessed with your idea as you are—and that’s okay.
My Take:
• Look for Curiosity and Drive. Technical skills can be taught, but genuine eagerness to learn and solve problems is invaluable.
• Encourage a Shared Vision. With each sprint, remind your team why you’re building this product and who it’s for.
Small Wins:
Celebrating small milestones—like the first 100 users or the first positive review—reminds everyone that each contribution matters.
A Final Word (Plus a Simple CTA)
Your first product will be messy and imperfect. That’s normal. Startups thrive on iteration, and every bump in the road is a lesson in disguise. If you ever feel overwhelmed, remember: progress beats perfection.
One Small Action Today:
Reach out to three potential users—just three—and show them a rough demo (or even a mockup) of your core feature. Jot down their reactions and questions. Bring that feedback to your next team meeting, and decide on one adjustment based on what you learned.
Those small steps can add up to big wins, helping you shape a product that truly resonates with the people you’re aiming to serve.
Good luck, and keep building. You’ve got this!