Prototype

A non-production mock-up used to test a design or an interaction, usually not built on real infrastructure.

Example

A clickable Figma flow shown in customer interviews.

Important

A prototype tests comprehension and desire. It cannot test retention, because nobody is actually relying on it.

Related terms

  • MVP (Minimum Viable Product) — The smallest thing you can build that lets real users get real value and teaches you whether the idea works.
  • Proof of concept (PoC) — A narrow build proving that something is technically possible.

Lessons that explain it

  • What an MVP actually is — Minimum refers to scope, not quality. A broken product does not test your hypothesis — it tests whether people tolerate bugs. (10 min)

All 176 terms in the Founder glossary