The acronym POC in software development stands for Proof of Concept. This is an initial demonstration to validate that an idea or feature is feasible and can be developed with existing technologies. POCs help stakeholders assess risk and make informed decisions before committing to extensive development. They often focus on the core functionality of a project, serving as a prototype to illustrate how it would operate in real-world scenarios. This process is essential in agile environments where iterations and feedback are vital.