Which Lean Startup practice accelerates learning by validating demand before building larger features?

• A. Releasing a full product to all customers
• B. Conducting extensive market research with no MVP
• C. Releasing a minimal viable product to test traction and willingness to pay
• D. Delaying feedback until after scaling

Answer: (C)

In Lean Startup practice, validated learning comes from getting real user feedback as early as possible. Releasing a minimal viable product lets you test the core demand — whether customers see value, will use the product, and are willing to pay — with only the smallest set of features needed to learn. This approach speeds up the feedback loop, shows whether your assumptions hold, and lets you pivot or persevere before investing heavily in bigger features. Releasing a full product to everyone delays learning and wastes resources on something that hasn't been confirmed by real customers. Relying on extensive market research with no MVP, or delaying feedback until after scaling, similarly postpones the crucial signals that show what actually resonates in the market.