The Curse of POCs: When the Proof of Concept Is So Good It Becomes the Final Project (for Free)

Introduction: The Hidden Side of POCs

In the world of technological solution development, whether it’s augmented reality, virtual reality, custom software, blockchain, or IoT platforms, there’s a term that seems almost magical: POC, or Proof of Concept.

The POC is designed to quickly validate an idea before large investments are made. It looks like a “win-win”: the company sees the solution in action, and the provider demonstrates its value.

But there’s a growing phenomenon that we at 10i9 Tecnologia call: “The Curse of POCs.”

This happens when the proof of concept solves the company’s problem so effectively that the full project is never actually contracted. The POC ends up becoming the final delivery — and the developer is left empty-handed. We often hear comments like:

“The POC turned out so good, it solved our problem.”

What Is a POC (Proof of Concept)

A POC is a simplified functional prototype developed in a short period of time to test the technical and practical feasibility of an idea.
In practice, it’s a way to:

• Quickly validate hypotheses;
• Show tangible results to investors or internal teams;
• Test technological integrations or complex workflows;
• Evaluate user experience (UX/UI) before committing to a full-scale project.

At 10i9, for example, we use POCs to demonstrate the power of Augmented Reality in industrial settings, the impact of Virtual Reality in training and construction, or the efficiency of blockchain and automation technologies in different sectors.

Where the POC Trap Lies

The issue is that, in many cases, the POC already provides a practical and functional solution, addressing — at least partially — the company’s main pain points.
And instead of moving forward with a complete project, the organization starts using the POC as if it were the final product, without paying for full development, scaling, or maintenance.

If you stop at the POC stage, your problem won’t actually be solved.
The POC masks the solution — it might work for a while, but it doesn’t deliver the effectiveness, scalability, or robustness of a fully developed project.

This can lead to two negative effects:

• For the client, it means ending up with something limited, not designed for long-term operation, security, or performance.
• For the developer, it means devaluation of their work, as the perception remains that only a “small delivery” was made, when in reality the full proposal would have been far more transformative.

Moreover, when the person who requested the POC presents it internally as a “final solution,” it can damage the internal image of the project, making it seem improvised, even though the original intention was to propose something innovative and well-structured.

For the developer, it’s also a lost opportunity to demonstrate the full potential of the solution and to build a truly strategic partnership.

This often results in situations such as:

• Companies using the POC in production without a formal contract;
• Prototypes being used indefinitely without proper compensation;
• Loss of intellectual property or misuse of code;
• Technology teams spending time and resources with no return.

Why This Happens So Often

Some common reasons include:

• The POC is so well executed that it already works as a mini-solution;
• The client doesn’t fully understand that the POC is not the final product;
• There’s urgency on the company’s side, and they prefer to use “what’s already working”;
• The provider didn’t clearly define next steps or pricing for the full project;
• The department that requested the POC has the need, but not the budget, to move forward.

How to Avoid the Curse of POCs (Without Stopping Innovation)

The solution is not to stop doing POCs — they are essential for fast innovation.
But strategy and clear agreements must be in place from the start. Some best practices include:

• Clearly define the POC’s scope and duration
  Deliverables, features, access, and usage time must be documented.
• Set clear technical and commercial boundaries
  Make it clear that the POC is for testing purposes only and cannot be used as a final solution without an additional contract.
• Include an evolution plan in the initial proposal
  Show the next steps if the POC is validated. This makes it easier to transition to the full project.
• Include intellectual property clauses
  Protect the codes, assets, and experiences that are developed.
• Present clear results and next steps in delivery meetings
  This helps the company understand that the goal was to prove the idea, not deliver the finished product.

POC as a Strategy, Not a Trap

When well structured, a POC is a powerful tool for both sales and innovation.

At 10i9, we use proof of concepts to demonstrate the real impact of our technologies in practice, but always with a clear plan to transform the POC into a real project, ensuring sustainable results for both sides.

Conclusion

Proofs of concept are like movie trailers — they reveal the potential but not the full story.

Avoiding “the curse of POCs” means protecting both the client and the developer, ensuring that innovation and business growth move forward hand in hand.