Startup Founder’s Glossary: 20 Must-Know Tech Terms (No Jargon)

If you’re into sports, you may think you know what MVP stands for. Well, in tech it’s a little different. While your Minimum Viable Product can be your Most Valuable Player, it’s not the same. The MVP is your startup’s first real test. It’s a basic version of your product that solves one core problem for users. Think of it as your functioning prototype that’s good enough to validate your idea. Building an MVP helps you test the market without wasting time or money on unnecessary features.

APIs (or Application Programming Interfaces) allow different software systems to talk to each other. For instance, when your app uses Google Maps to show a location, it’s calling Google’s API. APIs make integration faster, cheaper, and scalable—which is essential for startups that rely on third-party services. An API is like a waiter at a restaurant—it takes your order (request), tells the kitchen (server) what you want, and brings the result back (response).

Your tech stack is the combination of programming languages, frameworks, and tools that power your product. Also called simply “a stack”, it should be chosen based on your unique needs. Having the right tech stack affects development speed, scalability, and cost. Early-stage founders should focus on flexibility and developer availability rather than the latest technology or hype.

Your stack can include various frameworks, but what is it exactly? A framework is a ready-made foundation that developers use to build software faster and more efficiently than with raw code. Think of it as scaffolding: it provides the structure, so your team doesn’t have to reinvent the wheel. Frameworks matter, because they save time, reduce bugs, and enforce best practices. For startup founders, choosing a well-supported framework means faster time to market and easier hiring—because more developers already know it.

JavaScript is one of the most widely used programming languages in the world. It powers the interactive parts of most websites and many mobile apps. If your startup is building a web product, JavaScript is almost guaranteed to be part of it.

Node.js allows developers to use JavaScript for backend development (traditionally handled by other languages like PHP or Python). It’s an open-source and cross-platform environment that lets your app’s frontend and backend share the same language. Node.js makes full-stack development faster and more consistent.

MySQL is a popular open-source database management system that stores and organizes data. It’s reliable, free, and widely supported. Startups often choose MySQL for its balance between performance and simplicity, and most engineers are familiar with it.

The frontend is everything users see and interact with. The backend handles data, logic, and server-side operations behind the scenes. If your product was a car, the frontend would be the dashboard and the backend would be the engine. This knowledge matters in hiring and communication with your team. Frontend developers are responsible for the visual part of an app interface. They also adapt the application to different devices and screen sizes. Backend developers build and maintain the technology that utilises servers, databases, APIs, etc.

Just so you know: a 2020 survey1 revealed that 55% of all developers consider themselves to be full-stack developers—meaning they can handle both backend and frontend. A full-stack developer can build and maintain an entire app almost single-handedly and can be a valuable asset in your team.

Agile is all the rage in business because it helps teams to stay productive and flexible. It’s a philosophy that boils down to developing your product in short, iterative cycles called sprints, adjusting quickly based on feedback. It prevents overplanning and helps your team pivot fast when users or investors push for change.

A pivot means changing direction when your original idea isn’t working. Maybe your target audience shifts, or your product serves a different problem than you thought. Great startups pivot strategically.

Scrum is a specific Agile framework. It defines how teams plan, execute, and review work—using roles like Product Owner, Scrum Master, and Developer. Even a small team benefits from a lightweight version of Scrum. It creates structure without slowing you down.

Slack is a communication platform designed for teams. It replaces endless email threads with organized chat channels, quick file sharing, and integrations with tools like Google Drive or Jira. Slack keeps your team connected and responsive—especially if you’re working remotely. Clear communication equals faster progress and fewer mistakes, and Slack is tried and true.

The holy grail of startups. Product-market fit means your product satisfies a real demand in the market. Customers love it, use it, and pay for it. Reaching this state is often considered the most important milestone in startup development.

DevOps bridges the gap between development (Dev) and operations (Ops). It’s a philosophy but also a crucial role in a team, especially a larger one. DevOps is about automating processes like testing, deployment, and monitoring so your product updates roll out smoothly. DevOps engineers can help develop faster and recover quicker from issues.

Learn more: Essential DevOps Startup Strategies for Rapid Growth and Efficiency

Open Source is a model of creating software, where the code is publicly available for anyone to use or modify (for free). It allows collaborative development and encourages innovative solutions. Open source tools can be very valuable to startups by helping them save thousands in licensing fees and offering strong community support. Just make sure you understand the licensing before you build on them.

GitHub is a web-based platform for hosting and collaborating on code. It uses GIT (a version control system) to track changes so multiple developers can work on the same project without stepping on each other’s toes. It helps to not only improve collaboration but also to track progress, review updates, and ensure transparency across the team.

A/B testing is a method that compares two versions of a product—such as a landing page or feature—to determine which one performs better. Half your users see Version A, half see Version B, and the data tells you which one wins. A/B testing is very powerful—it removes guesswork from product decisions. Founders can use it to refine onboarding flows, pricing models, or even the tiniest details (like button colours) that boost conversions.

SaaS products are hosted in the cloud and accessed through a browser. The model allows you to use applications based on subscription, without owning them. SaaS might be a viable business model for a startup, but it requires focusing on recurring revenue, smooth onboarding, and retention metrics.

Other “as a service” solutions also exist, such as PaaS (Platform as a Service) or DaaS (Device as a Service).

A bug is an error or flaw that causes software to behave unexpectedly. No software is bug-free. What matters is how fast you detect and fix them. Setting up error tracking early will save countless hours later.

Technical debt is the cost of quick, imperfect solutions made during development. It’s like financial debt: you can take shortcuts now, but you’ll pay for them later. Paying attention to technical debt is important, because it can slow down future development.

As a startup founder, you don’t have to be a developer—but basic understanding lets you lead with confidence. When you speak the same language as your tech team, everything runs smoother. And having the right tech partner can make all the difference.

At Milo Solutions, we help startups transform concepts into scalable, high-performing applications. Book a call to discuss your idea. Let’s build something your users will love.