Pilot Program
Definition
Pilot Program: A pilot program is a controlled, limited deployment of a product or service with a subset of users or use cases before broader rollout. Unlike a POC focused on technical feasibility, pilots often test business value, user adoption, and operational fit. Successful pilots build internal champions and case studies for wider expansion.
Example Usage
“Our 50-user pilot in the marketing department generated internal champions who advocated for company-wide adoption.”
Common Misconceptions
Related Terms
Proof of Concept
A proof of concept is a limited implementation of your product in the prospect's environment to demonstrate feasibility and value before full commitme...
Enterprise Sales
Enterprise sales involves selling to large organizations with deal sizes typically exceeding $100K annually. These sales feature long cycles, multiple...
Land and Expand
Land and expand is a sales strategy where you first win a small deal or single team, then grow the relationship over time into larger deployments and...
Customer Onboarding
Customer onboarding is the process of helping new customers start using your product and achieve initial value. Effective onboarding includes technica...
Explore More Resources
Browse Tools
Discover 100+ vetted tools for every stage of your startup journey
Explore all toolsBuild Your Stack
Take our personalized quiz to get tool recommendations for your startup
Start the checklistRecommended Reading
Curated books to help you learn, grow, and succeed as a founder
View book recommendationsListen & Learn
Top podcasts covering startups, product, growth, and entrepreneurship
Discover podcastsHelp us improve this definition
See something that could be clearer or more accurate? Let us know.