Startups love MVPs. Build fast, launch early, iterate based on feedback. It’s a strategy that works great for consumer apps and SaaS tools. But when we set out to build Lonti, an enterprise-grade low-code platform, we knew that approach wouldn’t cut it.
For professional developers and enterprises, an unfinished product isn’t an option. Security, scalability, and integrations aren’t “nice-to-haves” that can come later—they’re mission-critical from day one. That’s why we spent 10 years refining our platform before launching. And while that might seem counterintuitive in an industry obsessed with speed, it turned out to be one of the best decisions we ever made.
Why MVPs Don’t Work for Enterprise Software
The MVP strategy makes sense for apps that need fast feedback loops. Consumers will tolerate half-finished features if they see the potential. Enterprise buyers? Not so much.
Here’s why:
1. Enterprises Expect Fully Functional Software
Developers working on enterprise projects aren’t looking for “minimal.” They need fully-featured, scalable solutions that solve complex problems right now—not in the next update.
2. Security and Compliance Are Non-Negotiable
A startup launching a productivity app can fix security issues later. An enterprise handling customer data, finance, or healthcare records? They need bulletproof security and compliance from day one.
3. MVPs Struggle With Integration
Most enterprises rely on a massive tech stack—legacy systems, CRMs, ERPs, APIs. If a new tool doesn’t integrate seamlessly, it’s dead on arrival. An MVP that lacks deep integration capabilities isn’t even an option.
4. Enterprise Sales Cycles Are Long
Selling enterprise software isn’t like launching an app on the App Store. It takes months—sometimes years—to get buy-in. If a product isn’t complete, decision-makers won’t take it seriously.
5. Poor First Impressions Kill Adoption
With consumer apps, users expect rough edges in early versions. But an enterprise MVP with missing features or stability issues? It destroys credibility. If your first users don’t trust it, they won’t come back when you improve it.
Why We Took the Long Road
Instead of rushing an MVP, we focused on building a full-scale platform that could handle real-world enterprise challenges from the start. That meant:
- Prioritizing stability over a quick release.
- Building security-first, not as an afterthought.
- Ensuring deep integration capabilities, so businesses wouldn’t have to fight compatibility issues.
This approach took time—a decade of iteration, testing, and refinement. But when we launched, we didn’t just have an MVP. We had a fully functional, enterprise-ready platform that developers could trust.
What We Gained By Skipping the MVP
- Credibility: Enterprises don’t gamble on half-finished products. By launching a robust platform, we earned the trust of serious developers.
- Scalability: We built Lonti to handle massive enterprise workloads, not just quick prototypes. That’s why companies see it as a long-term solution.
- Fewer Workarounds: Instead of launching early and patching missing features, we delivered a product that worked out of the box.
Final Thoughts: Not Every Product Should Be Built Fast
In startup culture, speed is everything. But some products can’t afford to be rushed—especially enterprise software. Security, scalability, and seamless integration must be there from the start.
We played the long game, and it paid off. Because sometimes, slow and steady doesn’t just win the race—it builds something that lasts.
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