Customer validation is a crucial phase in the product development and startup process, particularly within the [[Lean Startup]] and [[customer development]] methodology. It involves testing assumptions about a product or service with real customers to ensure that it meets their needs and solves their problems effectively. The goal is to validate that there is a market demand for the product before investing significant resources into scaling it. This process typically includes gathering feedback through interviews, surveys, prototypes, or beta testing, allowing entrepreneurs to refine their product based on actual user experience and insights. If the feedback indicates that the product does not fully meet customer needs, a [[pivot]] may be necessary to adjust the business model or product offering to better align with market demands.