The concept of a lean startup is becoming a popular way of starting a company, and it’s particularly suited to software and Internet ventures.
In a good Xconomy article, Wade Roush questions the wisdom of trying to avoid mistakes and respond to customer needs at every step of development. His argument: You may please your specific audience but miss a larger truly innovative opportunity.
A compromise may be to get your initial product out in the market to generate revenue and buy some time while you develop the outside-the-box product for the future.