Michael Seibel - How to Plan an MVP

YC CEO and Partner Michael Seibel shares his approach to building an MVP and getting your first users as a pre-launch startup. Startup School is YC's free online program for founders.
Transcript and lecture slides here: www.ycombinator.com/library/6...
This lecture is part of YC's Startup School, a free online program and global community of founders. Register and join the community at www.startupschool.org/
Chapters (Powered by bit.ly/chapterme-yc) -
0:00 Introduction
0:41 First, talk to users
1:40 Goal: launch quickly
2:40 After launching, get feedback
4:30 Lean MVP
5:37 Real-world examples
8:21 Heavy MVPs
9:33 Launches aren't special
11:22 Hacks for building an MVP quickly
12:57 Don't fall in love with your MVP

[@chapterme]

Chapters (Powered by ChapterMe) - 00:00 - Introduction 00:25 - What is an Minimal Viable Product (MVP) 00:42 - Talk to users before writing code 01:42 - Goal of a pre-launch startup 01:49 - - Step 1 - Launch quickly (MVP) 02:13 - - Step 2 - Get initial customers 02:41 - - Step 3 - Talk to customers and get feedback 03:05 - - - Founders mistake - They think that MVP doesn’t have all features, and getting feedback on it is useless 03:36 - - Step 4 - Iterate (improve the product) 04:30 - Lean MVP (in most cases) 04:38 - - Very fast to build (weeks not months) 04:53 - - Very limited functionality 05:10 - - Appeal to a small set of users 05:24 - - Base to iterate from 05:40 - - Example 1 - Airbnb 05:54 - - - No payments 06:08 - - - No map view 06:15 - - - Part-time CTO 06:28 - - Example 2 - Twitch (Justin.tv) 06:47 - - - 1 channel 06:54 - - - Low res video 07:13 - - - No video games 07:28 - - Example 3 - Stripe (/dev/payments) 07:39 - - - No bank deals 07:48 - - - Few features 07:51 - - - Founders would integrate it for you 08:22 - Heavy MVP (in a very few cases) 08:32 - - Significant regulation (insurance, banking) 08:47 - - Hardtech 08:53 - - Biotech 08:57 - - Moonshot 09:36 - Founders Mistake - Often founders see how big companies launch their products and want to do so (have a lot of press/buzz) 10:30 - Launch simply means to start getting customers 10:51 - Learning from customers is easier with an MVP than without 11:22 - Hacks for building an MVP quickly 11:27 - 1. Time box your spec 11:47 - 2. Write your spec 12:23 - 3. Cut your spec 12:57 - 4. Don't fall in love with your MVP! 13:28 - End

[@rufussweeneymd]

“Fix the fucking screwdriver” is something that’s imprinted on my mind. Genuinely the most helpful advice I’ve gotten as a founder.

[@amanjha__]

"I work here at y combinator" - the CEO of y combinator

[@TheOlgakon]

This what makes Michael so likeable

[@14loosecannon]

That's what I thought after I read his wikipedia page XD

[@ifredo]

bravo 😊🙌🏽

[@DeeloGoodquest]

No "Fucking" duh I work here.

[@lucasfernandeslima7474]

Exactly! Also dude funded Twitch and sold it for US$1 Billion and is like "I funded 2 companies". That's what humility looks like

[@DaudZaidi]

1. Timebox your spec 2. Write your spec. 3. Cut the spec. 4. Don't fall in love with your MVP.

[@jarmandog8372]

This.

[@andriytatchyn6497]

I usually also suggest to design the system UI, at least in wireframes. Design helps to visualize, and will help to adapt spec.

[@mal3ta]

Awesome lecture! Thank you Michael! Two most important sentences for me from this lecture: 1. Do not speak with your users about new features, speak with them about their problems and you figure out the solution. 2. You will recognize that you have product market fit once you spend your time maintaining your app online instead of figuring out new features and developing them.

[@elvillivle]

I love how he paraphrases the questions. Clearly, he's heard a thousand versions of the same question.

[@chidiadiele]

Ya totally gets me. I think I love his persona too.

[@ronque23]

I know! I hate it when speakers don’t do that or don’t even bother repeating the question in any way.

[@edgy4925]

Love this no bs, quick to point advise. I've done almost all those mistakes in my first projects when I started out as a startup guy, but not this time! ;) *Ready to crush it.*

[@lansworld8670]

Good luck! You can do it!

[@oziltechyoutube]

stop watching garyvee

[@edgy4925]

Zopcuk App stop wasting time.

[@vinayaknair1404]

That's the spirit bro!

[@MrcValentino]

I hope you do. You can absolutely do it.

[@FahmiEshaq]

I love this guy. He is just genuine, straight forward and articulate.

[@habibmkhan]

YC is doing such a public service with this quality content :) Thank you 🙏

[@jaysharma9987]

i was ready to risk everything, but just before i was going to, ycomb opened my eyes. really great service they are doing

[@hemanthramineni4995]

I love the way this guy comes to the point without too many stories. Short, crisp and very valuable.

[@medi7710]

Quick, concise, and to the point. This is how talks should be. Thanks Michael.

[@chidiadiele]

I like how his class was straight to the point, engaging and fun.

[@nestorherrera9551]

Thank you YC for this talk, all of the other talks, and everything that you're doing for the startup community worldwide.

[@AntonioSantos-xg2qo]

Thank you Y Combinator and Michael Seibel. He's amazing and would love for him to host his own podcast or Startup show. He's helped me so much. Awesome vid

[@moorergr]

Gotta love a straightforward lecture. No fluff, no sugarcoating.

[@KingsleyKAdase]

This is probably the most simple and helpful video I have watched out of thousands in my 4 year entrepreneurial journey.

[@Shreed]

This entire series brings me so much joy

[@samansinaei1426]

I paused in the middle of the video just to thank you Michael, I can call you best teacher I have ever had in this topic. I was almost feeling disappointed after watching many videos to learn more about launching my idea untill I found one of your videos very useful and subscribed to Y Combinator. Just stopped by to say thank you for your great job and let you know you helped helped me a lot. Cheers

[@dude2666]

VALUE packed and no BS approach, more please !

[@maulinmansuri5030]

So much intel packed into this 20 min session! Thank you Michael and Y Combinator ✌️

[@AdityaYadav-ev5rm]

Every time I saw his video ,I fell in love with his teaching.

[@OladipupoPopoola]

As far as I'm concerned, this is the most precise and knowledge-filled MBA for an Hustler or Startup-hungry person. Dang! So good. Thants YC and Michael

[@subijoyacharya3189]

This is gold for every aspiring entrepreneurs.

[@JoshuaDStewart]

This video was so helpful for me in getting my MVP out and stop trying to change and perfect it, thank you.

[@kajlac]

Same!

[@reneedwards3976]

​@@kajlac u 6 .u

[@Beachwise]

How has your mvp been going!?

[@luizeduard0]

One of the best videos I've seen about MVP. Great stuff

[@senamuku]

So valuable man! I'm going to be rewatching this A LOT!

[@supreet-singh]

Great job simplifying the concepts! I can't believe you covered so much ground in under 15 min.

[@NourLababidi]

Excellent. Thank you! "Go to market with any MVP to keep the momentum up. Big Time!

[@douglachman7330]

Timeless quality and better lack of BS, THX

[@abhishekanand8578]

Loved the idea and way you described mvp! Crisp and short

[@PreeMarket]

Straight to the point! One thing though is I think there's a maturity curve associated with MVP's and as time goes on, MVPs have to be better. Just because people's expectations and the technology available is better. You simply could not build an airbnb style business and accept no maps and cash transactions - the bar is too high.

[@genericdeveloper3966]

I think you are right. Though it is also easier to incorporate items like maps than it was then. I worked on such a start up project and it looked way better than the first airbnb.

[@80Vikram]

Thanks for this amazing talk, could so many interesting things

[@ruhanhansuka5149]

Super Duper Awesome!! Michael straight and easy to understand as always!! Thanks!!

[@zetendra]

Thank you michael, this is super clear and concise on how to bulid mvp.

[@mark-m-whelan]

This is very helpful, I really enjoy that they are looking to empower leaders by guiding them by human centered principles i..e putting yourself in the mind of the customer, partner, or investor.

[@siansroadtonirvana]

Thank you for sharing Michael ❤

[@pushpakgupta22]

So chill and to the point🙌

[@betty.fotofili]

THis is great! Thank you Michael and Team!

[@charliemcgrain]

This is the most fun presentation yet on YC. The first time I actually laughed, and yet, great info.

[@igordzivulsky4790]

I'm learning so much watching these video.

[@ABthatMan_]

So many people need to watch this!!!!

[@codinginflow]

Thanks, super insightful

[@kantorobo7718]

The fact this all is free, boggles my mind

[@Calm_passion]

Thank you from Korea!!! So much clear info !

[@Baggydawg1]

really appreciate the dude repeating each question after it's been asked

[@temjenkrazy]

Its amazing this awsome Y C Video is free in a time where everyone is selling their mostly BS course online. You guys are doing amazing service for a lot of people.

[@jessezheng7198]

this guy is amazing gives the best advice

[@ShanTiger886]

Great things said in very simple manner. Thanks for insightful video..

[@troytaylor108]

Thank you for such an informative lecture. You addressed several of the mistakes that I've made. Now I feel liberated to move forward.

[@akankshachandel73]

Thank you! it was very detailed and informative.

[@krishnaravitejavarmanallap6802]

Simply Lovable content. Straight to Point.

[@ScienceFeedShahid]

What a wonderful intelligent follow is he....!!!! Love u man

[@dreamix2311]

Great video with a lot of valuable info. Thank you

[@noudialp]

This video is by far the best one amongst all others. Thanks a billion for such valuable information you shared.

[@halogen2u]

This video has changed how I have started looking at my startup.

[@danielm3977]

Michael is one the interesting and funny(I guess) person I hope I can meet him . Big like .... He's so likeable

[@sagar4096]

Extremely helpful Talk. Thanks

[@albertomarinas]

This is good- I wish I had seen this video 2 years ago

[@martinstine]

Thanks once again Michael. Great one YC

[@amitwadodkar7738]

Love this guy! I am makin notes.

[@OmerVexler]

This is one of the best videos on YT.

[@Kimisingh]

There are some golden nuggets to be found here!

[@dao.808]

excellent! thank you a lot, michael!

[@Planetrefactor]

One thing I really like about Michael Seibel is his honesty. The fact that he cusses in his talks honestly makes me trust his words so much more.

[@tsaplin2528]

Amazing speech, thanks a lot sir!!!

[@Phoenix-xo7pn]

Thank you for this video!

[@issarukayat5992]

This is amazing Michael

[@liorneuman2198]

fantastic. insightful & encouraging

[@MatthewRiddett]

Straight talk. Love it😁

[@JetSoftProHQ]

This is a great lecture! Thanks a lot! We agree that gathering feedback after the launch of your product is crucial for its success and continuous improvement. The most valuable feedback comes from unexpected sources. While it's essential to collect feedback from your target audience, don't overlook the potential insights that can be gained from "fringe users" or those who may not be your primary target market. Fringe users often bring a fresh perspective, providing unique insights that can lead to innovative ideas and improvements. Their unbiased viewpoint can uncover hidden pain points or reveal new use cases that you may not have considered before. Embrace the diverse range of perspectives and experiences that can enrich your understanding of user needs and preferences.

[@thinker5270]

Thanks for great info Michael.

[@tendies]

Thank you for sharing

[@6_thereturn]

Thanks for the information! Great advice-?. 👍🏽

[@dy2cakc1]

Great conversation.

[@eleken.agency]

Love the analogy! Treating your MVP like a first-grade paper - not the masterpiece of your life, but just the start - that's gold. This new angle really helps sidestep the usual MVP traps, like getting hung up on the details or striving for perfection right out of the gate. It's about progress, not perfection, and this mindset is a game changer!

[@duck0027]

kind thx for clearing the blurry mvp definition.:).

[@Fmezacorredoira]

This is a great class for me. With my team, have to achieve our first Basic version to offer put on the market. We are creating a new way to make business.

[@karthikpotlapally7910]

Great talk spot-on

[@Skylightatdusk]

This was so good! Thanks! Forget about the one big special launch! ... For real!

[@originuk]

Fantastic insights! Learned so much in such a short period of time! :-) 🙏

[@karabo6703]

Extremely helpful,blessings😀

[@Kobe29261]

That's a man who has mastered the art of time value of money.

[@leodonoso7350]

This video is so great 🤣 I loved the bit about the screwdriver and the mechanic, it's so true!!

[@jimhall5534]

The Q/A was useful.

[@bradhouston4734]

Great video. I have been in love with the Big Vision I have, and was determined to leap frog a few steps 😳😅…But I’ve now finally succumbed to just creating something fractionally like the end solution…and just getting going on that!! 😀👊🇦🇺

[@lahiruparanavithana35]

Great Speech!

[@sjamr10]

What a great talk!

[@dreamerinc.8491]

Eye opener

[@AlejandroAguilar-zx2tz]

Wow this is exactly what I needed to hear. It’s been almost a year since I started developing my app and haven’t launched because I’m to busy trying to make it perfect the first time. That’s the biggest mistake you can make in your startup.

[@andriytatchyn6497]

Yep, this is not about development, but about finding the right market, and relevant business model that will work. It takes some experimentation.

[@jackharper6746]

an amazing human being. common sense in every word. )))

[@jonyfrany1319]

“Question that slightly” jejejej awesome advice!

[@ourdeepskin]

Really helpful. Thanks!

[@Skateboardshopusa]

Thank you!

[@PSBosses]

"I work here at Y Combinator".... love it... he is the CEO.

[@sanmagarinos]

The gist of it: Don't build castles in the air! Get feedback! As Tyson said: "Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth."

[@trainyourbrain968]

Fabulous, you are really ahead of your time. 🙂

[@spinLOL533]

straight to the point :)

[@michaeltsegaye4630]

Awesome. Great advice.

[@ariannalhoffman]

This video is incredible

[@willwalsh630]

This is really great advise, I keep coming back to this one