The hottest Business Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Business Topics

The Fed Is Behind the Capital One/Discover Merger

BIG by Matt Stoller • 29794 implied HN points • 22 Feb 24
đź’Ľ Business Monopoly power Market Power Antitrust enforcement
  1. Capital One is trying to purchase Discover for $35 billion due to a loophole the Federal Reserve left in banking laws, which allows Capital One to have control over pricing in ways its competitors cannot.
  2. The credit card system in the U.S. involves a complex web of fees and intermediaries that result in high costs for merchants, driving the merger between Capital One and Discover in a pursuit for more pricing power.
  3. The merger faces opposition from various groups due to concerns about increased monopolization and reduced competition in the credit card industry, highlighting the need for reforms to promote fair commerce and innovation.

What Is Being An Engineering Manager Like

Diary of an Engineering Manager • 119 implied HN points • 05 Sep 24
đź’Ľ Business Management Leadership Teamwork Career development Work Culture
  1. An engineering manager's role is more about teamwork than just giving orders. It's important to work together and support each other.
  2. The manager's job is like being a driver on a road trip. They navigate and ensure everyone is comfortable and safe along the journey.
  3. Being an engineering manager doesn't mean being smarter than everyone else. It means having different responsibilities while being part of the team.

How the Mad Men Lost the Plot Again

The Ruffian • 676 implied HN points • 23 Dec 25
đź’Ľ Business Advertising Marketing Branding Media Digital Media Consumer behavior Agencies
  1. Big, emotional mass advertising — like consistent TV campaigns that build fame — still drives long‑term growth because brands rely on millions of light buyers remembering them at the point of purchase.
  2. Chasing digital targeting, engagement and instant metrics can seem efficient but often fails to grow brands, since most buyers don’t meaningfully engage online and digital channels suffer fraud and short‑term thinking.
  3. The industry lost focus by prioritising tech and short‑term measurables over creative consistency; firms should keep brand‑building as their core strength and use technology as a supporting tool, not a replacement.

Modern Meditations: Immad Akhund

The Generalist • 740 implied HN points • 18 Dec 25
đź’Ľ Business Startups Leadership Fintech Strategy Innovation Scaling Learning
  1. Constant learning is the core skill—learn new domains, talk to experts, and treat excellence as the result of daily grinding and perseverance.
  2. Constraints are valuable: more resources don’t always speed things up, and growing headcount too fast can reduce productivity, so prefer measured, sustainable scaling.
  3. Be optimistic about long-term progress while thinking big—study history to understand patterns and imagine bold projects like space habitats and new immersive tech.
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Late night TV has never been more popular

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 199 implied HN points • 28 Jan 26
đź’Ľ Business Media Advertising Publishing Social media Journalism Streaming Monetization
  1. Late-night TV is losing viewers on traditional TV but its clips are going mega-viral online, creating huge audiences that networks still haven’t properly monetized.
  2. TikTok’s inconsistent moderation and algorithm shifts are pushing news creators off the platform, so many are prioritizing moving followers to email lists they control.
  3. Media business models are shifting: publishers are leaning on reader revenue, newsletter sponsorships, creator partnerships, and low-cost content strategies to replace declining ad income.

Top Links 976 AI investment surges. China in Saudi Arabia. Coffee under stress & looking back at Avalon Hill.

Chartbook • 386 implied HN points • 08 Jan 26
đź’Ľ Business Technology Investment Commodities Geopolitics Global Markets
  1. AI and tech investment are surging, with tech spending approaching about 5% of the US economy. This shift makes tech a major driver of growth and corporate investment.
  2. China is deepening its presence in Saudi Arabia, expanding economic and diplomatic ties between the two countries. That growing relationship has notable implications for global energy and geopolitics.
  3. The coffee sector is under stress, facing pressures that threaten production and markets. There’s also a renewed interest in looking back at Avalon Hill as part of cultural or historical reflection.

this may be the best way to defend against AI

Tiny Empires • 85 implied HN points • 14 Feb 26
đź’Ľ Business Entrepreneurship Audience Building Marketing Monetization Strategy AI Impact
  1. Build an audience: trust and long-term relationships are hard for AI to copy. A loyal niche following gives you a direct line to customers and protects you from price competition.
  2. Execution-based work is getting cheaper because AI can do the heavy lifting, so shift from selling hours to selling your expertise and judgment.
  3. Start publishing consistent, useful content about the problems you actually solve; this content compounds over time and lets you monetize in multiple ways or pivot when services get automated.

2026 Scheming

Erik Torenberg's Thoughts • 442 implied HN points • 02 Jan 26
đź’Ľ Business Venture Capital Startups Talent Content Product Events Community
  1. Working inside a large venture firm to productize venture work, hire broadly, and launch ambitious projects like a new fellowship, a rolling dinner series, and a podcast used to explore ideas.
  2. Committed to building and funding community programs — reviving Turpentine, supporting the Art of Accomplishment retreat, backing matchmaking as a business, and bringing back relationship-focused podcasts and group chats.
  3. Prioritizing personal health and life: getting more serious about sleep and wellness, playing in a recreational basketball league and planning events, and sharing favorite books, movies, and TV while asking for more recommendations.

How gardening teaches you this crucial lesson about scaling your business

VERY GOOD PRODUCTIZED GUIDES • 59 implied HN points • 16 Sep 24
đź’Ľ Business Entrepreneurship Marketing Productivity Scaling Automation
  1. Create systems that allow you to enjoy what you love, even when life gets busy. This gives you the freedom to step away without worry.
  2. Think about tasks you do daily that take more than 10 minutes. Find ways to automate them or get help to save time.
  3. Building these efficient systems might take time upfront, but once they're in place, they let you scale your business and work more smoothly.

The future of AI pricing

The AI Frontier • 259 implied HN points • 15 Aug 24
đź’Ľ Business Pricing Strategy AI Tools Market Trends Productivity
  1. AI tools should use work-based pricing instead of seat-based pricing. This means companies pay for the amount of work the AI actually does, not just who has access to it.
  2. Consumption-based pricing isn't new; it's been around in various forms for a long time. Many software services bill customers based on how much they use, which can help companies understand costs better.
  3. Work-based pricing can make customers skeptical because it's hard to measure what 'work done' means. Companies need to show how AI adds value and build trust with users.

Will there ever be a worse time to start a startup?

benn.substack • 741 implied HN points • 05 Dec 25
đź’Ľ Business Startups Economics Venture Capital Innovation Technology
  1. Starting a startup today is exciting because technology is advancing quickly, and tools are becoming easier to use for everyone. This means you can create amazing projects even with minimal experience.
  2. Deflation might seem good because prices drop, but it actually encourages people to save money instead of spending it. This cycle can hurt the economy and make it hard for businesses to grow.
  3. If you're starting a business, remember that technology is always improving. Today’s tools could let you do things much faster and cheaper than before, making now a great time to jump in.

Are VCs investing in media companies again?

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 349 implied HN points • 09 Jan 26
đź’Ľ Business Media Venture Capital Startups Advertising Publishing Podcasting Creator Economy
  1. VCs are still funding media startups, but high valuations for ad‑dependent outlets are hard to justify because ad models rarely scale the way investors expect.
  2. Google stumbled early in chatbots but leveraged its massive reach and deep pockets to catch up and regain an edge over OpenAI.
  3. Spotify is paying creators more than YouTube for video podcasts in some markets and is aggressively competing on video, though CPM claims can be misleading about total revenue.

Things are changing round here 🚀

Boiling The Ocean • 19 implied HN points • 21 Oct 24
đź’Ľ Business Consulting Job Market Startups Technology Trends
  1. BTO is getting a fresh start with a new look and content focus. This is exciting because it means there will be better and more relevant information.
  2. They are launching a new platform called Cheddar, which makes applying for consulting jobs much easier. It's like having all job listings in one place.
  3. The relaunch will focus on key topics like industry news, AI tools, and job opportunities, and will be sent out every month. This change aims to keep everyone updated and informed.

€1 Billion VC Fund in Spain💸, 10 Books for Founders, by Founders📚, The Power of Niche🎯

The VC Corner • 579 implied HN points • 14 Jul 24
đź’Ľ Business Venture Capital Startups Books Funding Entrepreneurship
  1. A new €1 billion venture capital fund has been launched in Spain to support startups. This fund aims to boost innovation and growth in the entrepreneurial landscape.
  2. There is a list of 10 books specifically for founders, written by those who have experience in building companies. These books can provide valuable insights and guidance for anyone looking to start their own business.
  3. Focusing on a niche market can be very powerful for businesses. It allows companies to stand out and cater specifically to the needs of a certain group of customers.

Of falling door plugs and missing bolts and holes in fuselages and 737 Max 9's

Lucian Truscott Newsletter • 3655 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
đź’Ľ Business Aerospace Manufacturing Corporate culture Quality control
  1. Private equity in aircraft manufacturing can lead to cost-cutting measures that compromise safety.
  2. Recent accidents involving Boeing 737 models point to potential flaws in design and manufacturing processes.
  3. Pressure to speed up production in the aviation industry can result in quality control issues and safety risks.

The Only Pitch Guyde You’ll Ever Need

Remarkable People • 699 implied HN points • 03 Jul 24
đź’Ľ Business Startups Investment Entrepreneurship Pitching Innovation
  1. Choose the right audience for your pitch. It's crucial to identify the right venture capital firms and specific people to contact for better chances of success.
  2. Get a warm introduction instead of cold emailing. Knowing someone who can introduce you increases the chances of getting a meeting.
  3. Practice your pitch and engage your audience. Start strong, tell a compelling story, and be confident in your delivery to leave a lasting impression.

Reading List 02/15/25

Construction Physics • 8351 implied HN points • 15 Feb 25
đź’Ľ Business Insurance Automotive Investment Infrastructure Technology
  1. California is facing a homeowners insurance crisis, with the state relying on private insurers for a bailout to support its last-resort fire insurance, leading to increased costs for homeowners.
  2. Tech companies are vastly increasing their investments in AI data centers, with major players like Microsoft and Google planning to spend over $215 billion combined this fiscal year.
  3. Tesla is seeing a decline in sales both in Europe and the US, which may be linked to public perception of Elon Musk and his influence on politics.

Free content almost always beats paid

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 424 implied HN points • 31 Dec 25
đź’Ľ Business Media Streaming Publishing Advertising Monetization Platforms Social media
  1. Free, ad-supported and shortform platforms are winning attention more than paid subscription services, so audiences are increasingly choosing free over paid content.
  2. A surge of low-effort, AI-generated videos is soaking up huge amounts of viewer time and ad revenue, making it harder for higher-quality creators to get noticed.
  3. Creators and publishers are diversifying how they make money — from audiobooks and microdramas to community memberships, sponsorships, and merchandise — and must adapt or partner to capture revenue.

AI is eating consulting (ft. Accenture, IBM, Gartner, Genpact)

Enterprise AI Trends • 168 implied HN points • 05 Feb 26
đź’Ľ Business Consulting Professional Services Enterprise AI Earnings Valuations Outsourcing Strategy
  1. AI is driving short-term demand for consulting work and firms are adopting AI internally to boost their margins.
  2. Despite that tailwind, weak guidance and management comments suggest AI could flip into a headwind and growth may decelerate into 2027 as services get commoditized.
  3. The bullish trade on consulting has underperformed so far, so investors should closely watch guidance, margin improvements, and whether firms can avoid seat compression before assuming lasting gains.

From Numbers to Narrative: Financial Modeling for Founders đź“Š

The VC Corner • 579 implied HN points • 12 Jul 24
đź’Ľ Business Startups Investment Financial planning Entrepreneurship Market Analysis
  1. Financial modeling is all about telling your startup's story using numbers. It's important for getting investments and managing your business well.
  2. A solid financial model includes three main statements: the Income Statement, Balance Sheet, and Cash Flow Statement. These help you understand your revenue, costs, and financial position.
  3. Building a financial model starts by defining your assumptions. This helps you predict future performance and make informed decisions for your startup.

“Build What’s Fundable”

Investing 101 • 950 implied HN points • 16 Nov 25
đź’Ľ Business Startups Venture Capital Entrepreneurship Investment Trends
  1. Y Combinator has shifted from focusing on meaningful problems to following what many investors think is trendy. This change can lead to less original thinking and more pressure to fit in.
  2. Startups are becoming more uniform and normal, as many founders come from similar backgrounds and experiences. This can limit creativity and make it harder to think independently.
  3. To change this trend, people need to chase their beliefs and find projects that truly matter, rather than just following what is popular or easy. This will encourage more unique ideas in tech.

A Cycle of Misery: The Business of Building Commercial Aircraft

Construction Physics • 27768 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
đź’Ľ Business Aviation Manufacturing Industry Competition Economics
  1. Developing a new commercial aircraft is incredibly expensive, with development costs exceeding billions and posing significant financial risks to companies.
  2. Aircraft manufacturers face challenges in predicting market demand and trends, with incorrect guesses leading to financial losses and potentially fatal setbacks.
  3. Given the high costs and risks involved in developing new aircraft, manufacturers often opt to revise existing models to mitigate costs, keep pilot training minimal, and maximize efficiency.

How AI Will Reshape the World of Work

The Algorithmic Bridge • 392 implied HN points • 12 Jan 26
đź’Ľ Business Workforce Management Human Resources Automation Careers Organization
  1. AI is rapidly eliminating many entry-level roles as firms replace junior workers with automation, producing immediate cost savings but fewer pathways for new graduates into careers.
  2. The hardest parts of knowledge work are tacit—judgment, taste, coordination—and AI handles explicit tasks well but can’t learn those embodied skills, leading to low-quality output and hidden long-term costs.
  3. A viable path is a hybrid apprenticeship model: keep AI for grunt work while hiring fewer apprentices who learn tacit know-how from seniors, preserving knowledge transfer and long-term organizational resilience.

AI Bubble📉, Canva acquires Leonardo AI🎨, How to Write Cold Emails✉️

The VC Corner • 279 implied HN points • 11 Aug 24
đź’Ľ Business Venture Capital Startups Innovation Technology Trends Market Analysis
  1. There seems to be an AI bubble, which means the excitement and investment in AI may be too high right now. It's important to be cautious and not assume growth will continue at the same rate.
  2. Canva has bought Leonardo AI, showing how big companies are integrating AI tools into their platforms to enhance creativity and productivity. This could lead to more user-friendly design solutions.
  3. Writing effective cold emails is crucial for reaching out to new contacts and building relationships. It’s all about being clear, concise, and personal in your approach.

The Big Nonprofits Post 2025

Don't Worry About the Vase • 940 implied HN points • 26 Nov 25
đź’Ľ Business Nonprofit Philanthropy Funding Charity Social Impact
  1. There are many great organizations out there that are doing important work and worthy of donations. You can choose to support causes that really resonate with your values.
  2. When considering donations, think not only about the organizations' needs but how your contribution aligns with your personal beliefs and the impact you want to make.
  3. If you're unsure about direct donations, consider regranting organizations that can distribute funds to various causes, as they often have a wider reach and can help more projects.

Issue #17 - Unpacking the People, Process, Technology & Data Framework

The Data Ecosystem • 339 implied HN points • 04 Aug 24
đź’Ľ Business Operations Management Strategy Data Technology
  1. The People, Process, Technology framework helps organizations balance these three key areas but often misses the importance of data. Companies should not just focus on technology but also consider how people and processes interact.
  2. A new framework that includes data is called People, Process, Technology & Data. This approach shows how these four components work together, helping organizations make better decisions and manage change more effectively.
  3. Using structured questions and understanding the roles of each component can enhance planning and execution in businesses. It's essential to revisit these elements regularly to stay aligned with goals and adapt as needed.

This company wants to fix the broken economics of standup comedy

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 174 implied HN points • 28 Jan 26
đź’Ľ Business Startups Creator Economy Live Events Ticketing Social media Advertising Monetization
  1. Comedians can get huge viral reach but still struggle to make money because algorithms throttle who actually sees their posts and it's hard to notify local fans when a comic is touring.
  2. Punchup is building tools so comedians can own their audiences, sell tickets directly, and rely less on platform algorithms to monetize shows.
  3. The founders' experience running ads and data products at Meta, plus a longtime passion for comedy, shaped Punchup's mission to repair the fragile economics of standup.

The Incompetent Confidence Complex

Investing 101 • 106 implied HN points • 07 Feb 26
đź’Ľ Business Leadership Startups Investing Strategy Culture Governance
  1. People shape their own realities through the stories they tell, so what someone believes often determines what they accept as true.
  2. Real competence is earned through repeated iteration, learning, and honest feedback — practice moves you past overconfidence to genuine skill.
  3. Society too often rewards confidence over competence, which produces harmful outcomes, so prioritize building and valuing real ability.

An outbound playbook for 2025

Kyle Poyar’s Growth Unhinged • 883 implied HN points • 03 Dec 25
đź’Ľ Business Growth Sales Marketing Startups Tech
  1. In 2025, successful outbound sales will focus on a mix of cold calls, email campaigns, LinkedIn engagement, and personalized outreach for key accounts. This shows that a balanced approach between automation and manual efforts is essential.
  2. Identifying and targeting ideal customer profiles (ICPs) is crucial. Businesses should develop a scoring model to define their targets and filter their outreach accordingly, ensuring focused efforts yield better results.
  3. Using signals, like website visits and LinkedIn engagement, can enhance outreach effectiveness. These signals allow businesses to connect with prospects who are already interested, leading to higher response rates and engagement.

How Failing Multiple Interviews Helped Me Create My Elevator Pitch For AWS Interview

Behavioral OS for Techies • 299 implied HN points • 08 Aug 24
đź’Ľ Business Career development Job Interviews Resume Writing Networking Skills Training
  1. Keep your introduction short and focused, ideally between 1-2 minutes. This helps keep the interviewer's attention.
  2. Customize your intro based on the job you're applying for and the interviewer's background. It helps you connect better.
  3. Use key phrases and topics that you want the interviewer to ask about later. This guides the conversation in your favor.

Power Is Shifting Rapidly to Indie Creators

The Honest Broker • 11037 implied HN points • 25 Nov 24
đź’Ľ Business Employment Entrepreneurship Creativity Economy Industry
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Data-Driven Equity Splitting📊, The Path to PMF, Figma's $12.5 Bn Valuation🎨

The VC Corner • 379 implied HN points • 28 Jul 24
đź’Ľ Business Venture Capital Startups Fundraising Investments Equity
  1. Fundraising activity peaks between Labor Day and Christmas, so startups should prepare now to attract investors.
  2. Data-driven approaches can help startups split equity more fairly, making it easier to attract and keep talent.
  3. Figma's impressive $12.5 billion valuation shows the potential for growth in the tech industry, which should inspire other startups.

How to Value a Startup: Key Methods Every Investor and Founder Should Know

The VC Corner • 459 implied HN points • 19 Jul 24
đź’Ľ Business Investment Strategies Market Analysis Entrepreneurship
  1. Valuing a startup is tricky because they often lack steady revenue, so traditional methods might not work well. Founders and investors need to find alternative ways to assess a startup's worth.
  2. The valuation process combines both art and science. It's important to consider factors like the team's skills and the product's uniqueness alongside more measurable data like market trends.
  3. The Scorecard Valuation Method is a key approach to valuing startups, offering steps and examples that help make the valuation process clearer and more practical for those involved.

Revenue Operations Pros Are Work Horses

beyondrevenueoperations • 39 implied HN points • 12 Oct 24
đź’Ľ Business Sales Strategy Data Management Process Optimization Team Collaboration
  1. Revenue Operations focuses on aligning sales, marketing, and customer support to boost overall revenue. This means all teams need to work together to improve the customer experience.
  2. Data accuracy and management are crucial in Revenue Operations. Keeping customer data clean helps everyone make better decisions and understand what drives sales.
  3. Ongoing support and training empower teams to succeed. Providing the right tools and resources ensures that all revenue-generating teams can perform at their best.

From Beginner to Substack Bestseller | Interview with Valentin Bunea

Kristina God's Online Writing Club • 999 implied HN points • 03 Jun 24
đź’Ľ Business Entrepreneurship Marketing Content creation Online business Writing
  1. Being successful in writing a newsletter takes hard work and dedication, not just a few hours a week. Many successful writers manage their time early in the morning or late at night to fit their writing into a busy life.
  2. You can build a profitable newsletter business in a reasonable amount of time each day. It's about focusing on the right tasks that bring the most value to your readers.
  3. Believing in yourself and being consistent with your writing can lead to great opportunities. Just like with fitness, doing daily reps in writing can make a big difference.

America's $1T AI Gamble

Apricitas Economics • 131 implied HN points • 10 Feb 26
đź’Ľ Business Investment Data Centers Semiconductors Software Trade Corporate Finance Labor markets
  1. U.S. companies are now spending over $1 trillion a year on AI-related software, computers, and data centers, a record investment driven mainly by the big tech hyperscalers.
  2. Much of the costly hardware is imported—especially from Taiwan, Mexico, and Malaysia—so a large share of the near-term economic gains goes to foreign manufacturers rather than directly to U.S. GDP.
  3. The boom is straining supply chains and power grids, pushing up component and memory prices, and revenues haven’t yet caught up, so whether the massive investment will pay off remains uncertain.

Is Social Media the New Big Tobacco?

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 533 implied HN points • 22 Dec 25
đź’Ľ Business Litigation Regulation Advertising Tech industry
  1. Social media companies are accused of exploiting children’s attention for profit and helping fuel a youth mental health crisis.
  2. Internal documents reportedly show platforms knew their apps caused addictive, compulsive use that harmed kids’ attention, sleep, and worsened depression and anxiety.
  3. Recommendation algorithms can trap users in harmful content silos and carry a high risk of exposing people to suicide and self‑harm material.

Movers, Shakers, & Money Makers: HRTech Edition

Human Capitalist • 119 implied HN points • 23 Sep 24
đź’Ľ Business Human Resources Job Market Technology Adoption Corporate strategy Talent Acquisition
  1. There are many recent job changes in the HR field, highlighting the fluid nature of careers in this sector.
  2. Some notable professionals have taken on new roles, which can impact their companies and the industry overall.
  3. Tracking job changes can provide valuable insights for investors, recruiters, and businesses looking to stay informed about talent trends.