How to Build an MVP and Raise Funding in 2025

This guide is written for early-stage founders, solo builders, or small startup teams who want to bring an idea to life and get their first check.

Part 1: Building an MVP That Actually Matters

What is an MVP, really?

MVP stands for Minimum Viable Product. It’s not a beta. It’s not your full vision. It’s the simplest version of your idea that solves a real problem for a real user.

If no one would pay for it, use it twice, or tell a friend—it’s not viable.

So your MVP should be:

• Useful: It solves a clear pain.
• Usable: It’s easy enough to try.
• Simple: It does one thing well.

Don’t build everything. Build the one thing that matters most.

Step 1: Know who you’re building for

Start by defining:

• Who’s the user?
• What’s their biggest pain?
• What are they doing now to solve it?

Talk to 10–20 people. Don’t pitch. Just ask:

• “How do you solve [problem] now?”
• “What’s frustrating about that?”
• “Would this help?”

If people say “sounds interesting,” that’s not enough. You’re looking for:

• “I need this now.”
• “Where can I try it?”
• “Can I pay you to build it?”

If you hear that, you’re on to something.

Step 2: Cut features. Then cut again.

You probably have 10 things you want to build.

Cut it down to one. Maybe two.

Focus on the part that:

• Solves the pain
• Takes the least time to build
• Can get you feedback fast

Don’t overthink. If it takes more than 4–6 weeks to build, it’s probably too big.

Examples:

• A Notion doc with a form
• A Google Sheet with manual backend
• A simple landing page with a waitlist
• A no-code app built with Softr, Glide, or Bubble

Done is better than perfect. Fast is better than fancy.

Step 3: Build it and get it in front of people

Use the tools you know. Or use ones that are fast to learn:

• Frontend: Webflow, Framer, Next.js
• Backend: Firebase, Supabase, Airtable
• No-code: Softr, Bubble, Zapier, Glide
• Design: Figma (but don’t spend weeks designing)

Focus on:

• One user group
• One core feature
• One simple path from problem to solution

Then share it. Email your interviewees. Post on Reddit. DM people on Twitter. Go where your users hang out.

You’re not launching a company. You’re testing an idea.

Need help building your MVP?

Reach out to us at contact@invezzatechnologies.com or visit invezzatechnologies.com to learn more.

Step 4: Measure what matters

Don’t track vanity metrics (likes, shares, downloads). Look for:

• Retention: Do people come back?
• Referrals: Do they tell others?
• Revenue: Will they pay, even a little?

You don’t need 1,000 users. You need 5–10 who really care.

Step 5: Keep it real

Your MVP will be messy. It’ll break. That’s okay.

What matters is:

• You proved people want it
• You learned what works (and what doesn’t)
• You moved fast

Now you’re ready to talk to investors.

Part 2: Raising Funding in 2025

Raising money in 2025 is a bit different than it was a few years ago. Founders are expected to be scrappier. Investors want traction. And AI is everywhere.

Here’s what to do.

Step 1: Know why you’re raising

Ask yourself:

• Do I need funding to grow? Or just to build?
• Can I keep going without it?
• What will the money be used for?

Investors don’t fund ideas. They fund momentum.

If you’re raising, you should have:

• A working MVP
• Some users or interest
• A clear plan for what’s next

If you’re pre-revenue or pre-product, you’ll need a strong story, a great team, and a big market.

Step 2: Pick the right type of funding

Not all funding is the same. Here are the main options:

1. Friends & Family

• Pros: Fast, low-pressure
• Cons: Personal relationships at risk
• Use it if: You need $5–50K to get started

2. Accelerators (like YC, Techstars, Antler)

• Pros: Network, early funding, support
• Cons: Equity taken (5–7%)
• Use it if: You want structure, speed, and intros

3. Angel Investors

• Pros: Often founders or ex-operators
• Cons: Harder to find unless you’re plugged in
• Use it if: You have a solid MVP or early users

4. Pre-Seed/Seed VCs

• Pros: Bigger checks ($100K–$1M+)
• Cons: Expect fast growth, pressure to scale
• Use it if: You’re ready to hire, launch, or scale

5. Revenue-based funding / Bootstrapping

• Pros: No equity dilution
• Cons: Tied to your cash flow
• Use it if: You’re already making money

Step 3: Build a simple pitch

You don’t need a 40-slide deck. You need:

• A clear story
• A working product
• Proof people care

Here’s a simple 8-slide outline:

1. Problem – What’s broken?
2. Solution – What did you build?
3. Market – Who are you serving? How big is it?
4. Traction – Users, feedback, growth, retention
5. Business Model – How will you make money?
6. Team – Why you? Why now?
7. Roadmap – What’s next?
8. Ask – How much? What for?

Use simple language. Show, don’t tell. Demo if you can.

Step 4: Get warm intros (or go cold the right way)

Warm intros still matter. Here’s how to get them:

• Ask your network: “Who do you know who invests in X?”
• Reach out to other founders: “Can I ask how you raised?”
• Use LinkedIn or X to connect with angels and VCs

If you go cold, be honest and brief. Example:

Hey [Name], I’m building [short product pitch]. We just hit [traction]. Would love to show you a quick demo and get your thoughts. – [Your Name]

Don’t mass-blast. Tailor each message.

Step 5: Have your basics ready

Investors will ask for:

• Your pitch deck (PDF, not Google Slides)
• A simple Notion or doc with product info
• A short demo video or live link
• Basic data: users, retention, revenue (if any)

Later, they may ask for:

• Cap table
• Incorporation documents
• SAFEs or equity info

Be organized. Keep things in one place. Use tools like:

• Notion (for a data room)
• Loom (for a demo)
• DocSend (to track who’s reading your deck)

Step 6: Practice the pitch

You don’t need to “sell.” You need to be clear.

Investors are looking for:

• Belief: Do you really care about this?
• Focus: Do you know what matters right now?
• Insight: Do you understand your users?
• Execution: Can you move fast and learn?

Practice with:

• Other founders
• Friends in tech
• Accelerator programs or online groups

Record yourself. Listen. Simplify.

Step 7: Manage your process

Don’t chase 100 random investors. Target 20–30 who:

• Invest at your stage
• Know your industry
• Have a track record of supporting founders like you

Track outreach in a spreadsheet or tool like Folk/Clay.

Try to batch meetings close together. This creates momentum. You can say:

“We’re closing this round in 3 weeks. Happy to keep you in the loop if there’s interest.”

Create urgency without being pushy.

What’s Different in 2025

Here’s what’s changed—and what hasn’t:

✅ What still works

• Clear, focused MVPs
• Talking to users early
• Scrappy, fast execution
• Real traction > polish

🆕 What’s new

• AI tools are everywhere. Expect investors to ask how you’re using AI—or defending against it.
• More solo founders. It’s okay to start alone now. But you’ll need strong focus and speed.
• VCs are more selective. Fewer checks, but better support for teams with early traction.
• Product-led growth matters. If users love it and share it, that’s a huge signal.
• Build in public. Sharing progress online (Twitter, LinkedIn) helps with visibility and investor interest.

Final Thoughts

Building an MVP is about speed, focus, and listening. You don’t need a full app. You need a small, working version that proves people care.

Raising funding is about momentum. Show you can build fast, learn fast, and solve a real problem.

Don’t wait for perfection. Start with what you have. Talk to users. Build something real. And when the time is right—raise from people who believe in you.

It’s not easy. But it’s possible. Especially now.