SaaS MVP built in 30 days (case study)
Production-ready MVP in 30 days. How we used rapid prototyping and pre-built modules to launch fast.
The Speed Run
How we used rapid prototyping and pre-built modules to launch a functional SaaS product for an early-stage startup in just 30 days.
The Challenge
Startup had 8 weeks of runway. Needed to validate product-market fit before running out of money. Traditional development timeline was not an option.
Week 1: Foundation
Used Retool for rapid UI development. Set up Supabase for backend. Configured authentication with Clerk. Created initial data models.
Week 2-3: Core Features
Built core workflows using Retool custom components. Integrated Stripe for payments. Added email notifications via SendGrid. Implemented basic analytics.
Week 4: Launch
Performance optimization. Security hardening. Mobile responsiveness fixes. Soft launch to 50 beta users.
Technology Choices
Frontend: Retool (3 days vs 3 weeks). Backend: Supabase (PostgreSQL + Auth). Payments: Stripe. Email: SendGrid. Analytics: PostHog.
What Worked
Starting with no-code tools. Using managed services. Minimum viable features only. Daily standups with client.
What We Would Change
Add error tracking earlier. Plan for data migration from day one. Document decisions for future team.
Sapterc Editorial Team
Expert insights on SaaS architecture and engineering.