How Lean should a start-up be?

My cofounder of Prognition Corp, Chris Metcalfe and I both like the model of the lean start up and the idea of producing the Minimal Viable Product (MVP). The MVP is then morphed into a more complete solution using customer feedback.

The problem we encounter, however, is that when we define the MVP it seems to lack innovation; it’s designed to be plane Jane. We’ve read other articles that tell readers not to look to customers for innovation. What we debate is if we should produce the MVP or what we’ve started to call the Minimal Viable Awesomeness (MVA). For a start up (a company with no money) it takes considerably more resources to produce a MVA then an MVP. Allso, the MVA is most likely a bit of a “push,” what happens if initially people don’t get it. Is it better to introduce the MVP and then introduce the “awesome” factor?

All thoughts will be appreciated.