From Idea to Reality: Validating your MVP in Colombia

Having a brilliant business idea is just the beginning. The real challenge for any entrepreneur lies in execution. Many aspiring founders in Colombia fall into the trap of spending months—and millions of pesos—developing a perfect product, only to launch it and realize that nobody wants it. This is where the concept of the Minimum Viable Product (MVP) becomes your best ally.

An MVP is not a “half-finished” product; it is the simplest version of your idea that allows you to collect the maximum amount of validated learning with the least effort. In the Colombian ecosystem, where venture capital can be scarce for early-stage projects, efficiency is key. You don’t need a complex app to start.

“If you are not embarrassed by the first version of your product, you’ve launched too late.”

Reid Hoffman, Co-founder of Linkedin

For example, if you want to launch a new delivery service in Bogotá, do not hire a software engineer yet. Instead, use tools you already have. Set up a WhatsApp Business account to take orders manually or create a basic landing page using WordPress or Wix to gauge interest. The goal is to answer one fundamental question: Are people willing to pay for this?

If users engage and buy your basic prototype, you have a green light to invest more. If they don’t, you saved yourself from a costly failure. Remember, in the world of startups, your goal is not to build a product, but to solve a problem.

3 Simple Ways to Test Your Idea This Weekend

ou don’t need coding skills to start validating today. Here are three low-cost experiments you can run immediately:

The “Fake Door” Landing Page: Create a simple one-page website describing your product. Add a “Buy Now” button. When they click, show a message saying “Coming Soon! Thanks for your interest.” Count how many people clicked versus how many visited.

The Concierge Method: Manually perform the service for your first five customers. Don’t build automation until you know exactly what needs automating.

Social Media Polls: Use Instagram Stories or LinkedIn polls to ask your network about the specific problem you want to solve. Do they actually care about it?

These experiments share a common goal: gathering objective data instead of relying on gut feelings. In the startup world, assuming you know what the customer wants is a dangerous gamble. By running these small tests, you move from “I think people need this” to “I have proof that people need this.” This evidence is crucial not only for your peace of mind but also for convincing potential co-founders or investors in the future.