This is where you ensure that your solution, your business model and your financing strategy are optimally aligned. This creates the basis for scaling your impact startup and prepares you for the next growth phase.
You’ve come to the right place if …
- you want to found an impact startup or are already in the middle of it with your team.
- you can clearly identify your target group as well as the problem, solution and impact.
- you have developed a validated prototype.
- you have received initial evidence of the impact of your offer at outcome level.
- you have identified a market for your offering and developed an initial business model.
- you have developed and tested a Minimal Viable Product (MVP).
- you can guarantee the impact measurement of your solution at the output and outcome levels.
- you have an idea of how your solution is scalable.
- you have developed and tested a financing strategy and a pitch deck.

Not quite ready yet?
Then select the appropriate chapter here
This chapter helps to …
- adapt your minimum viable product based on feedback and impact data.
- optimize your business model.
- finalize your financing strategy.
Evaluate data from MVP tests and systematically gain insights
Evaluating the data from your MVP tests is essential in order to make well-founded decisions for the further development of your solution.
1. sort your interview data and form clusters
Collect the data by Summarize all observations, notes and recordings. Structure all data by organizing it according to test tasks or areas of the MVP. Pay particular attention to noticeable patterns and trends: Which problems occur repeatedly? Which aspects were particularly positively emphasized? By recognizing these patterns, you can prioritize the key points that need to be improved.
2. analyze your collected data
Prioritize the findings by Evaluate the severity of the problems identified. Focus on problems that several participants had. Quantify the results by calculating success rates for specific tasks and measuring time spent on different interactions.
Analyze qualitative feedback by contextualizing participants’ verbal comments and identifying key words and themes.
2. visualize your results
To present your results clearly, use diagrams or heat maps to visualize problem areas. You can use user flow diagrams to illustrate the customer journey of your MVP . This shows the typical paths taken by users — from starting points to actions and destinations. You can use this journey to identify where participants encounter problems and which areas should be improved.
What is a customer journey?
Concepts such as the customer journey originally come from the software sector, but can also be used for non-technology-based innovations. There are a few ways in which you can transfer the principles of the customer journey to non-technical innovations, e.g:
- Instead of users, you speak of participants or target groups.
- Instead of clicks or conversions, you look at interactions
Validation of the financing strategy: convincing investors
Your financing strategy is not fixed, but must be continuously adapted through regular feedback and well-founded analyses.
1. evaluates investor feedback
An important aspect is the evaluation of feedback from investors. Categorize the feedback according to topics such as growth forecasts, risks or valuation and look for recurring concerns. Compare the feedback from different investors to identify the most common points of criticism and prioritize adjustments according to the relevance of the feedback.
2. learns from the cash flow analysis or financial key figures
A detailed cash flow analysis shows you whether your financing strategy is working. Compare the operating cash flow and other key figures such as EBIT or EBITDA with your forecasts and industry averages. Identify deviations and their causes in order to make targeted optimizations. Also analyze how your financing strategy affects your liquidity and growth.
3. adapt your strategy flexibly
Adjust your financial targets and forecasts based on your findings. Revise your financial forecasts to be more realistic. Develop alternative scenarios for different market conditions and consider whether additional sources of funding should be considered.
4. ensures continuous monitoring
Implement a regular reporting system to keep an eye on your key financial figures and progress. Set thresholds that signal the need for action and carry out regular reviews to adapt your financing strategy to new challenges.
You can use these methods and tools to continuously improve your MVP, your financing strategy and your business model. In this way, you create the basis for sustainable growth and long-term impact.
Next chapter: Growth phase
Ideally, you have now validated your MVP, the impact and market potential of your startup and your financing model - and you have ensured that all the necessary resources are available. This means …
- You have successfully tested your MVP with pilot customers and received positive feedback.
- you have developed impact indicators and can measure the impact at output and outcome level.
- There are clear signs that a market exists for your solution and that it is scalable.
- There is a solid financing strategy, including initial contacts with donors or pilot customers.
- the necessary resources and skills for growth and establishment are available or being planned (team, financing, infrastructure).
If all this applies, you can start your impact startup with the next chapter into the growth phase.

If not, no problem! The best thing to do is to return to the chapter “Developing an MVP: Testing solutions for impact start-ups under real conditions” again.
Can’t get any further? Perhaps the following tips will help you:
Tips for successfully validating your MVP, impact and financing strategy
MVP validation
- Conduct thorough market research before developing the MVP. It is essential that you understand the needs of your target group and the competitive landscape in depth.
- Concentrate on the core functions of the MVP. Avoid incorporating too many elements.
- Set clear goals for your MVP: What do you want to achieve and how do you measure success?
- Actively collects feedback from participants and remains open to adjustments.
- Find the right balance between “minimum” and “viable”. The MVP should be functional and appealing enough to generate real feedback.
Impact validation at output and outcome level
- Defines clear, measurable indicators for output and outcome.
- Implement measurement methods for these indicators from the outset.
- Avoid focusing only on short-term outputs. Also consider medium and long-term outcomes.
- Remain open to repeatedly adapting your impact logic based on real data.
Validation of the financing strategy
- Don’t overestimate the speed at which you can generate revenue.
- Considers various financing sources and models.
- Make sure that your financing strategy is in line with your business model and growth strategy .
- Remain realistic in terms of valuations and financing rounds.
- Prepare for detailed due diligence processes.