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Why Most MVPs Fail (and How to Fix Yours with a MAC)

MVPs are wrecking too many startups.

Jano le Roux
The Startup
8 min readJan 12, 2025

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Business man folding his arms looking frustrated with a loose tie.
Illustration by geralt

MVPs seem like the perfect launchpad.

Simple. Quick. Buzz-worthy.

But they miss a critical point.

Most MVPs never prove that people will pay.

They attract users, spark chatter, and fuel hope. But they rarely convert interest into income.

Look, I get it. The MVP buzz is hard to resist. Everyone wants to be the next big thing on Product Hunt.

Don’t get me wrong. At some point, you will need an MVP. But it is not the ideal first step.

That’s where a MAC (Minimum Automated Concept) comes in.

  • It skips vanity metrics.
  • It demands revenue from day one.
  • And it automates proof of real demand.

Let’s dive into why MVPs fail — and how a MAC can build a stronger, scalable foundation.

Why MVPs fail to generate real money

1. MVPs typically don’t force customers to pay

The traditional MVP (Minimum Viable Product) model was designed to prioritize learning. The idea? Build a basic version of your product…

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Jano le Roux
Jano le Roux

Written by Jano le Roux

An award-winning marketing consultant who helps high-growth brands craft marketing that doesn’t feel like marketing. Open to help—jano@likeflare.com—Join me ⤵️

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