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.
Worth your time
Related terms
Go deeper
See how founders actually handle this on Growing and marketing, part of the Starting Up hub.
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