16 个月、45 万资金投入，一款 AI 社交产品的创业失败复盘

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the failure of an AI social tool for couples named "Hug Nest," highlighting the importance of validating product-market fit (PMF) and user willingness to pay before scaling a startup team and operations [3][4]. Group 1: Project Overview - The project "Hug Nest" aimed to create an independent app for couples, featuring instant messaging and an AI chatbot to enhance communication and collaboration [3]. - The project lasted for 1 year and 4 months, involving approximately 35 part-time/intern participants and 2 full-time employees for 21 months, with a total expenditure of around 450,000 yuan [4]. Group 2: SWOT Analysis - Strengths include product manager experience, entrepreneurial enthusiasm, and basic funding with risk tolerance [9]. - Weaknesses involve lack of development, operation, and financing experience, as well as insufficient funding compared to competitors [9]. - Opportunities exist in the AI application market, particularly in the couple interaction space, which has a low penetration rate among leading players [12]. - Threats include increasing competition and the potential for AI capabilities to improve rapidly, making it harder to maintain a competitive edge [9]. Group 3: Entrepreneurial Journey - The company planned to invest a maximum of 500,000 yuan over one year, with the first app version launched in February 2025, facing multiple delays and bugs [48]. - The team structure evolved from part-time to full-time members, with challenges in maintaining consistent delivery and quality of the product [39][44]. - The company faced difficulties in establishing a stable team, leading to a reliance on part-time contributors, which hindered effective product development [46]. Group 4: Lessons Learned - The company recognized the need for a clear timeline and defined goals to avoid premature optimization and ensure focus on core functionalities [50]. - It was emphasized that understanding user pain points and having a clear value proposition are crucial for effective team communication and project direction [59]. - The importance of validating ideas through user feedback and market research was highlighted, suggesting that early-stage projects should prioritize simplicity and clarity in their business model [63][64].