An MVP in 2–3 months, depending on scope

Building your first release

Have a startup idea, an innovative concept, or an Innosuisse project? At Appik Studio, we've been helping entrepreneurs across Western Switzerland build their MVPs (Minimum Viable Products) since our beginnings.

An MVP includes the features needed to test your product with its first users. The engagement is intentionally bounded to 8 to 12 weeks, with assumptions to test, a prioritized scope, and launch criteria agreed before the first sprint. If you're a startup, also explore our dedicated startup services and our mobile app development solutions.

Why an MVP?

Validate your market before investing heavily

An MVP lets you test your business hypothesis with real users before investing hundreds of thousands of francs in a complete product. Gather concrete feedback, measure engagement, refine your value proposition.

Convince your investors

A functional MVP is worth more than a thousand slides. Present a tangible product to your investors, business angels, or the Innosuisse jury. Demonstrate traction, first users, key metrics.

Iterate rapidly

Feedback from early users and usage data help prioritize the changes in each sprint.

Control your budget

We estimate the features selected for the first release and identify those that can wait for user feedback.

Our Startup Expertise

Appik Studio isn't an agency discovering the startup world. We've been immersed in the ecosystem since our beginnings:

• EPFL Innovation Park startups — We've supported spin-offs and startups hosted at EPFL's Innovation Park, from initial concept to production product.

• Innosuisse projects — We know the requirements of applied research projects supported by Innosuisse. Our code meets the quality standards expected by academic institutions.

• Research spin-offs — We're experienced in transforming research results (EPFL, HEIG-VD) into applications usable by the general public or professionals.

• Accelerators and incubators — We work with startups from acceleration programs across Western Switzerland, from Lausanne to Geneva.

Technologies for Your MVP

Technologies used according to the MVP scope:

This stack enables delivery of a functional MVP in 2 to 3 months while laying solid foundations for the future.

Startup Projects Delivered

• Time District — From idea to launch of a watch marketplace for collectors. Mobile app available in Switzerland, UK, and Europe, with physical authentication and Blockchain certificates.

• Smatch — Sports meetup app MVP in Switzerland. Matching algorithm, integrated chat, sports profiles. From first mockup to first match in 3 months.

• ClearSky (EPFL spin-off) — Innovative Edge AI app. Transforming a research concept into a functional mobile application running AI directly on the smartphone.

• ApiZoom (EPFL collaboration) — From research to product: beehive parasite detection app using Deep Learning. Concept validated in the lab, developed into a mobile application usable by beekeepers.

• BmAI (CHUV — Neonatology) — MVP of a humanitarian app developed with the CHUV Neonatology Department, using AI to estimate children's weight and height from a photo. Technology serving the fight against malnutrition.

• Nifty — NFT analytics platform with research-based predictive algorithms. From concept to functional platform with dashboard and analytics.

Our MVP Process

Phase 1: Strategic scoping (1-2 weeks)

• Understanding your vision and business model
• Formalizing product assumptions and measurable launch criteria
• Identifying the core feature — the functionality that creates the most value
• Defining MVP scope: what's essential vs. what can wait for V2
• Budget and timeline estimation
• Deliverable: scoping document with prioritized user stories

Phase 2: Express design (2-3 weeks)

• Wireframes of main screens
• UI design adapted to your startup's identity
• Interactive prototype to test with your first users
• Deliverable: clickable Figma mockups

Phase 3: Sprint development (6-8 weeks)

• Agile development in 2-week sprints
• Bi-weekly demos to validate progress
• Continuous deployment — you can test in real-time
• Deliverable: functional application on iOS, Android, and/or web

Phase 4: Launch and first users (1-2 weeks)

• Submission to App Store and Google Play
• Analytics setup (Mixpanel, Amplitude, PostHog)
• Launch support and initial feedback fixes
• Deliverable: published application ready to acquire its first users

Working together

We understand your constraints

Limited budget, tight deadlines, market uncertainty. We've supported dozens of startups and know how to adapt our approach to your reality.

No vendor lock-in

Your code belongs to you. Our stack (React Native, Next.js, TypeScript) is open source and mainstream. If you bring development in-house or switch providers, the handover will be smooth.

Product advice and technical choices

We advise on product strategy, feature prioritization, technical stack. Our experience with dozens of startups helps you avoid classic mistakes.

Startup-friendly pricing

We offer adapted conditions for early-stage startups. Tell us about your project and budget — we'll find a solution.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does an MVP cost? The budget depends on features, integrations, design and the validation required. Use the calculator at the top of this page for an initial complexity assessment. Leave your email for our team to review your answers and discuss scope and budget. We can define a focused first version and plan subsequent releases in stages. Further reading: How much does a mobile app cost in Switzerland?.

How fast can you deliver an MVP? Between 2 and 3 months from scoping to launch for a well-defined scope. Design takes 2-3 weeks, development 6-8 weeks, launch 1-2 weeks. We can accelerate if needed.

How do you prepare an MVP for future development? We define essential workflows, integrations and known constraints for the first release. We document architecture and technical choices. Further development follows actual usage, and we reassess the architecture as requirements change.

Can you support me after the MVP? Absolutely. Most of our startup clients continue with us after the MVP: new feature development, maintenance, scaling. We become your long-term technical partner.

Do you work with Innosuisse-funded startups? Yes, we have experience with applied research projects supported by Innosuisse. We understand the quality and documentation requirements expected by academic partner institutions.