Alpha
Also called Alpha Release
A very early release, usually to internal users or a tiny trusted group, to test core functionality while the product is still rough and changing fast. Comes before beta.
Why it matters
An alpha lets you catch fundamental problems before wider exposure, when they are cheapest to fix. Keeping the alpha audience small and forgiving is what makes candid early feedback possible.
For example
The team gives a rough alpha to five friendly users to test whether the core flow works before polishing anything.
Go deeper
Related terms
Also in Starting Up
See how founders actually handle this on Building the product, part of the Starting Up hub.
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