The Journey from MVP to Massive Exit
Every major tech acquisition starts with a simple MVP. These five UK startups prove that starting small and focused can lead to extraordinary outcomes.
1. Depop: From Vintage App to £1.3 Billion Exit
**The MVP**: A simple app for buying and selling vintage clothing
**Timeline**: Founded 2011, acquired by Etsy 2021
**Exit Value**: £1.3 billion
**Key Lessons**:
2. Bloom & Wild: Letterbox Flowers to £440M Valuation
**The MVP**: Flowers that fit through letterboxes
**Timeline**: Founded 2013, £440M valuation by 2021
**Key Lessons**:
3. Monzo: Banking MVP to £4.5 Billion Valuation
**The MVP**: A prepaid card with a spending tracker
**Timeline**: Founded 2015, £4.5B valuation by 2021
**Key Lessons**:
4. Gousto: Recipe Boxes from Kitchen Table to £1.7 Billion
**The MVP**: Hand-packed recipe boxes from a home kitchen
**Timeline**: Founded 2012, £1.7B valuation by 2022
**Key Lessons**:
5. Cazoo: Car Buying MVP to £6 Billion IPO
**The MVP**: Online car buying with home delivery
**Timeline**: Founded 2018, £6B IPO 2021
**Key Lessons**:
Common Patterns Across All Five
1. Problem-First Thinking
Each started by deeply understanding a customer problem, not by chasing technology trends.
2. Focused MVP
All launched with minimal features that solved one problem exceptionally well.
3. Rapid Iteration
Constant improvement based on user feedback, often weekly releases.
4. Clear Monetisation
Revenue models were proven early, not figured out later.
5. Strategic Timing
Each capitalised on market timing and broader trends.
What This Means for Your Startup
The path from MVP to major exit is clearer than ever:
The UK Advantage
UK startups benefit from:
The next £50M acquisition could be yours. It all starts with an MVP.