The actual cost of creating an MVP for your startup

Nearly every founder asks this question within the first five minutes. Most articles that I've read respond with the same vague answer: "It depends," followed by a table with ranges so broad—$10,000 to $150,000—that they offer little practical guidance. Somewhere between a trailer and a mansion.

I have built MVPs for startup founders for years and have also built and sold five startups myself. I understand the challenges of budgeting and evaluating quotes from both perspectives. My goal is to provide a transparent, honest breakdown with real numbers, as I believe the industry lacks clarity and founders deserve better information.