How to Choose an MVP Development Partner: Checklist for Non-Technical Founders
You have domain expertise, a validated idea, and capital. What you don't have is a technical co-founder—and you've decided that's okay. Smart move. But now comes the hard part: choosing who will actually build your MVP.
As a non-technical founder, this decision feels impossible. How do you evaluate developers when you can't read code? How do you know if $20K is fair or a ripoff? How do you tell the difference between a partner who'll ship and one who'll ghost you at 60% completion?
This guide gives you a complete framework—no technical knowledge required. By the end, you'll know exactly what to look for, what to avoid, and what questions separate the professionals from the pretenders.
What This Guide Covers
- • The 8 qualities that matter most (and why)
- • 12 red flags that predict disaster
- • 20 questions to ask before signing
- • Pricing models explained (fixed vs hourly vs hybrid)
- • What good communication actually looks like
- • A printable evaluation checklist
What to Look For in an MVP Partner
These 8 qualities separate partners who deliver from those who disappear. Weight them in this order—the first four are non-negotiable.
Shipped Products You Can Use
Not mockups. Not "in development." Live products with real users. Ask for URLs, download their apps, create accounts. If they can't show you working software, they're not an MVP partner—they're a design agency at best.
✓ Look for: 3+ shipped MVPs in the last 2 years, preferably in industries similar to yours.
References Who Actually Answer
Testimonials on a website mean nothing. You need phone numbers of past clients who will speak candidly. A good partner hands these over without hesitation. A bad one makes excuses.
✓ Ask: "Can I speak with your last 3 clients?" If they hesitate, walk away.
Clear, Fixed Pricing
"It depends" is not a price. Good partners scope your project and give you a number—ideally fixed, with clear boundaries on what's included. You need to know what you're paying before you sign, not after.
✓ Look for: Fixed-price quotes with itemized scope, or capped hourly with not-to-exceed limits.
Delivery Guarantee or Risk-Sharing
The best partners put skin in the game. This might look like a money-back guarantee, milestone-based payments, or refunds if they miss deadlines. If they won't share risk, they don't believe in their own ability to deliver.
✓ PSV example: We offer 50% refund if we miss our committed delivery date. It's happened twice in 40+ projects.
Founder-Level Communication
You should talk directly to the person making decisions—not an account manager, not a project coordinator. The founder or technical lead should be in your kickoff call and weekly check-ins.
✓ Ask: "Who will be my main point of contact? Can I meet them before signing?"
They Push Back on Bad Ideas
A yes-man is a red flag. Good partners challenge your assumptions, suggest simpler solutions, and tell you when something is a bad idea. They're protecting your budget and timeline—not just taking orders.
✓ Test this: Pitch an obviously complex feature. If they say "sure, no problem," they're not thinking critically.
Modern Tech Stack
You don't need to understand the tech, but you should hear terms like React/Next.js, TypeScript, PostgreSQL, Vercel, or similar modern tools. If they're pitching PHP or WordPress for your SaaS MVP, they're 5 years behind.
✓ Ask: "What tech stack do you recommend and why?" Listen for confidence and clear reasoning.
Post-Launch Support Included
Your MVP will have bugs. Real users will find edge cases testing never did. A good partner includes 30-90 days of bug fixes and support after launch—not as an upsell, but as part of the original agreement.
✓ Look for: At minimum, 30 days of included support. 60-90 days is ideal.
12 Red Flags That Predict Disaster
We've seen dozens of failed projects come to us for rescue. These are the warning signs that appeared early—but founders ignored them.
1. No live portfolio
Pretty Dribbble shots aren't shipped products. No working URLs = no proof of delivery.
2. "We can build anything"
Specialists outperform generalists. If they claim expertise in mobile, web, AI, blockchain, and IoT—they're expert in none.
3. Hourly billing with no cap
Open-ended hourly incentivizes slow work. You'll pay 2-3x what you expected.
4. Vague timelines
"4-6 months depending on complexity" means they don't know. Good partners give you specific dates.
5. Won't provide references
If they can't connect you with 3 recent clients, either they don't exist or the clients weren't happy.
6. Price is suspiciously low
If they quote $5K for what everyone else quotes $30K, something is wrong. You'll pay the difference in rewrites.
7. They disappear between calls
If getting a response takes 3+ days during the sales process, imagine during development.
8. No discovery process
If they quote without understanding your business, users, and goals—they're guessing.
9. Contract favors them entirely
All milestones paid upfront, no refund clauses, IP transfers "upon final payment"—these protect them, not you.
10. They outsource without telling you
You hired them, not their subcontractors. Ask directly: "Will anyone outside your company work on this?"
11. No process documentation
How do they run projects? What tools do they use? If they can't explain their process clearly, they don't have one.
12. They oversell AI/automation
"AI will build 80% of it" means they're cutting corners. AI assists good developers—it doesn't replace them.
20 Questions to Ask Before Signing
Copy these into your notes for every call. The answers reveal everything.
About Their Experience
- 1.How many MVPs have you shipped in the last 12 months?
- 2.What percentage were delivered on time?
- 3.Can I see 3 live products you've built?
- 4.Have you built anything in my industry?
- 5.Can I speak with 3 recent clients?
About the Team
- 6.Who specifically will work on my project?
- 7.Will you outsource any part of this?
- 8.Who will be my main point of contact?
- 9.How many projects is your team working on simultaneously?
About the Process
- 10.What does your development process look like week by week?
- 11.How often will I see progress and give feedback?
- 12.What tools do you use to track progress?
- 13.How do you handle scope changes mid-project?
- 14.What does "done" mean? Deployed? Documented? Tested?
About the Contract
- 15.What happens if you miss the deadline?
- 16.What's your payment schedule?
- 17.Do I own 100% of the code and IP?
- 18.What's included in post-launch support?
- 19.Under what circumstances can I get a refund?
- 20.What do you need from me each week?
Pricing Models Explained
How a partner prices their work reveals how they think about risk. Here's what each model means for you.
Fixed Price (Best for Non-Technical Founders)
You pay a set amount for a defined scope. If it takes them longer, that's their problem. If you change requirements, you negotiate an adjustment.
Why It's Good
- • Budget certainty
- • Partner absorbs estimation risk
- • Forces thorough scoping upfront
- • Aligned incentives (they want to finish)
Watch Out For
- • Vague scope documents
- • "Change order" abuse
- • Quality cutting to meet budget
✓ PSV uses fixed pricing for all MVP projects. You know the cost before you sign.
Hourly Billing
You pay for time spent. Common with freelancers and some agencies. Rates range from $50/hr (offshore) to $250/hr (top US agencies).
When It Makes Sense
- • Ongoing maintenance work
- • Unclear scope that will evolve
- • You have technical oversight
Risks
- • No budget ceiling
- • Incentivizes slow work
- • Hard to evaluate efficiency
If you must use hourly, insist on a "not-to-exceed" cap and weekly hour reports.
Hybrid (Fixed + Hourly)
Fixed price for the core MVP, hourly for extras or changes. A reasonable middle ground if scope is mostly defined but you want flexibility.
Works Well When
- • Core scope is clear
- • You anticipate some changes
- • Hourly portion is capped
Watch Out For
- • Everything becomes "out of scope"
- • Hourly portion grows unchecked
Equity or Revenue Share
Rare, but some studios will reduce their fee in exchange for equity (1-10%) or revenue share. Only makes sense if they genuinely believe in your product.
When It Works
- • They're highly selective
- • You have strong traction indicators
- • Aligned long-term incentives
Red Flags
- • They offer this to everyone
- • Asking for >5% equity
- • No cash component at all
What Good Communication Looks Like
Communication is where most projects fail—not technical ability. Here's what to expect from a professional partner.
Before You Sign
- Responds to emails within 24 hours (business days)
- Asks thoughtful questions about your business and users
- Provides a detailed proposal, not just a price
- Explains their process without jargon
- Tells you what WON'T work, not just what will
During the Project
- Weekly video call or written update (your choice)
- Demo of working software every 1-2 weeks
- Proactive communication about blockers or delays
- Slack/messaging for quick questions (response within 4 hours)
- Clear "this is in scope" vs "this needs a change order" communication
What You Should Provide
Good communication goes both ways. Your partner needs:
- Feedback on demos within 48 hours
- Quick answers to questions (same day if possible)
- Clear decisions (avoid "let me think about it" for a week)
- 5-10 hours per week of your time during active development
📋 Evaluation Checklist
Score each candidate 1-5 on these dimensions. Minimum viable score is 35/50.
How PSV Measures Up
We designed our process specifically for non-technical founders. Here's how we address each concern in this guide:
- Portfolio: 40+ shipped MVPs. We can show you live URLs and connect you with founders.
- Pricing: 100% fixed-price. You know the cost before signing.
- Guarantee: 50% refund if we miss our delivery date. (We've paid this twice in 5 years.)
- Communication: You talk directly to Aidan (founder) and the developer on your project. No account managers.
- Timeline: Most MVPs ship in 4 weeks. We give you a specific date, not a range.
- Support: 60 days of bug fixes included. We don't disappear after launch.
The Bottom Line
Choosing an MVP partner is one of the most important decisions you'll make as a non-technical founder. The wrong choice costs you 6+ months and potentially your entire runway. The right choice gets you to market while competitors are still arguing about specifications.
Use this checklist. Ask these questions. Check those references. And trust your gut—if something feels off during the sales process, it will only get worse during development.
Your MVP partner is essentially a temporary co-founder. Choose accordingly.
Ready to Evaluate Partners?
We're happy to answer every question on this list. Book a free strategy call and see if PSV is the right fit for your MVP.