The verdict in three sentences
A custom SaaS MVP credible enough for a raise costs between 25,000 and 60,000 EUR in 2026 — not less if you want solid auth and real Stripe billing. The price gap almost never comes from technology but from scope: one well-cut core feature sits in the low range, a bloated feature set triples the bill. With public grant schemes covering up to 50%, a Berlin founder can target a net cost of 15,000 to 30,000 EUR.
What a 25,000 - 60,000 EUR MVP actually covers
An MVP is not a demo: it is a product real users pay for and an investor can audit. The price breaks down into a small team (1 tech lead, 1 developer, 0.5 UX) over 8 to 10 weeks, with the non-negotiable bricks: authentication, Stripe billing, a dashboard, and a clean data foundation.
| Item | Target MVP (1 core feature) | Bloated version | 2026 ballpark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scoping + design | 4,500 EUR | 9,000 EUR | 1 to 2 weeks |
| Auth + accounts + roles | 3,500 EUR | 7,000 EUR | included |
| Stripe billing + subscriptions | 4,000 EUR | 8,000 EUR | tested webhooks |
| Core business feature | 9,000 EUR | 22,000 EUR | the value engine |
| Dashboard + reporting | 3,000 EUR | 9,000 EUR | essential KPIs |
| QA + go-live | 3,000 EUR | 6,000 EUR | 1 week |
| Total | 27,000 EUR | 61,000 EUR | 2.2x gap |
The message is clear: every feature added "to look complete" before product-market fit doubles the risk and inflates the budget with no proof of usage.
How scope and grants shape the net cost
The real adjustment lever is how many features you ship at launch. Here is the combined impact of scope and public grants.
| Scenario | Gross cost | Grant | Net cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 core feature, no-frills | 27,000 EUR | 40% = 10,800 EUR | 16,200 EUR |
| 1 core + advanced reporting | 38,000 EUR | 40% = 15,200 EUR | 22,800 EUR |
| 2 features + integrations | 52,000 EUR | 30% = 15,600 EUR | 36,400 EUR |
| Bloated 4-feature version | 61,000 EUR | 30% = 18,300 EUR | 42,700 EUR |
| Year-1 maintenance | 9,600 EUR/yr | not eligible | 800 EUR/mo |
Grant rates are a 2026 ballpark: the real percentage depends on the scheme and your eligibility.
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Mini case study
Thomas, founder of a B2B fintech in Berlin, wants an MVP to raise 400,000 EUR. He hesitates between 4 features and one. By cutting to one core feature (automated bank reconciliation) plus auth and billing, he lands at 28,000 EUR. A grant covers 40%, a net cost of 16,800 EUR. Shipped in 9 weeks, the tool signed 22 paying customers at 49 EUR/month before closing — 1,078 EUR of MRR: the usage proof that unlocked his round. The bloated 55,000 EUR version would have delayed launch by 6 weeks for zero extra customers.
FAQ
Why not an 8,000 EUR MVP? At that price you get a prototype with no real billing and no serious security. To charge real customers and pass due diligence, budget at least 25,000 EUR in 2026.
Is Stripe billing really essential to an MVP? Yes if you sell a subscription: without real payment you cannot prove willingness to pay, the number-one argument in front of a fund. Budget 4,000 EUR for a tested integration with webhooks.
How long from kick-off to go-live? 8 to 10 weeks for a one-core-feature scope: 1 to 2 weeks of scoping/design, 3 to 4 two-week dev sprints, 1 week of QA.
What do public grants cover in 2026? Depending on the scheme, a diagnostic or loan can cover 30 to 50% of the digital project. That is a ballpark: the amount depends on your eligibility.
Should I budget for after launch? Yes, maintenance of 600 to 900 EUR/month for fixes, hosting and small evolutions. Budget at least 10% of the build cost per year.
Let's scope your project. Give us your core feature, indicative budget and target raise date, and we price the MVP at the right scope. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
