Lean Startup

Also called Build-Measure-Learn

Eric Ries's methodology for building startups under uncertainty: turn ideas into small experiments, measure real customer response, and learn, the build-measure-learn loop, to avoid wasting effort on what nobody wants.

Why it matters

The lean startup reframed startups as engines for learning, not just building, and popularized the MVP and validated learning. Its core discipline, test cheaply before you commit, remains one of the most useful frames for early founders.

For example

Instead of building for a year in secret, a founder ships a rough test, measures whether anyone signs up, and learns before committing.

Go deeper

The Lean Startup theleanstartup.com · book The origin text for build-measure-learn, the MVP, and validated learning, the vocabulary and method the whole approach is named after. Open theleanstartup.com →

The Lean Startup (Talks at Google) Talks at Google · video The canonical talk on learning by shipping a rough version instead of guessing, straight from the person who named the method. Watch on YouTube youtube.com →

Related terms

Also in Starting Up

See how founders actually handle this on Growing and marketing, part of the Starting Up hub.

eChai Partner Brands