Early adopters and laggards are part of the technology adoption lifecycle—a model that shows how different types of users adopt new products over time.
Why it matters for startups
Your first users won’t be the masses—they’ll be early adopters. Knowing how to spot, attract, and learn from them is key to gaining traction. Don’t waste energy convincing laggards too early—they’ll come later (if at all).
How do I find early adopters for my startup?
Look for users already trying to solve the problem you address—forums, niche communities, or early beta testers.
Should I care about laggards when building my MVP?
No. Focus on early adopters. Laggards often don’t align with the mindset needed to grow a startup.
Why are early adopters important for fundraising?
They validate your product-market fit. Investors look for early traction and user feedback to assess momentum.
Or want to know more about pre-seed funding?
