Who is an early adopter?
An early adopter is one of the first individuals or businesses to use a new product or technology, typically before the broader market has accepted it. Early adopters tolerate higher friction, immature features and pricing volatility in exchange for early access and competitive advantage.
Identifying and engaging early adopters is critical for startups: they provide validation, candid feedback, case studies and referrals. Geoffrey Moore’s Crossing the Chasm describes the strategic challenge of moving from early adopters to the mainstream early majority.