The hottest Business Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Business Topics

The Renaissance of Media

Growth Croissant • 963 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
💼 Business Media Entrepreneurship Growth Monetization Team Management
  1. Building a media business as an individual is challenging and requires hard work and consistency.
  2. As a media business grows, managing growth, monetization, and tech can become distracting from the core creative efforts.
  3. To bridge the resource gap between large media companies and individual creators, providing hands-on support for tech and growth can be beneficial.

Why homes are ‘filtering’ up the market from the poor to wealthier buyers

Erdmann Housing Tracker • 168 implied HN points • 15 Dec 25
💼 Business Real Estate Housing supply Affordability Urban Economics Income Inequality Public Policy
  1. Average statistics hide big differences: the typical American family looks better off on paper, but many households feel worse and a substantial share have declined year after year.
  2. With too few new homes being built, existing houses are effectively ‘filtering’ up the market from poorer to wealthier buyers, which squeezes lower-income families out of housing options.
  3. The result is a unique, musical‑chairs problem where families compete for a fixed housing stock, and the only durable fix is increasing the supply of new housing so homes can better match families’ needs.

GC, a16z Capture 44% VC fundraising💰, Massive Acquisitions in Software Startups 🛒, Network Effects🕸️

The VC Corner • 379 implied HN points • 05 May 24
💼 Business Venture Capital Startups Acquisitions Fundraising Market Trends
  1. GC and a16z are leading the way, capturing a large portion of VC fundraising. This means they are securing a lot of money to invest in new businesses.
  2. There are many significant acquisitions happening in the software startup space. Companies are being bought up, showing growth and interest in this sector.
  3. Network effects are becoming important for these companies. This means that the more people use a service, the better it gets and the more valuable it becomes.

How I Productized A Service Business And Earn Recurring Income

VERY GOOD PRODUCTIZED GUIDES • 79 implied HN points • 05 Aug 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Marketing Finance Product Development Customer Service
  1. To turn your service into a product, pick a specific service to offer and make it easy for clients to understand what they're getting. This helps people know exactly what to expect.
  2. Identify your ideal clients to better tailor your services to their needs. Knowing who your customers are makes it easier to attract and keep them.
  3. Create a clear system for how you deliver your service, and hire help early on. This frees up your time so you can focus on growing your business instead of just doing all the tasks yourself.

Introducing Substack Study Hall: Advice from top creators on getting started, going paid, and more

Substack • 1088 implied HN points • 06 Jun 25
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Marketing Content creation Social media Subscription Models
  1. Being consistent is more important than being perfect. Just share your thoughts regularly, and you'll connect with your community better than waiting for everything to be flawless.
  2. When you start charging for your content, keep it simple. You don’t need to overwhelm people with perks; focus on delivering one valuable thing that you can promise consistently.
  3. Using social media is a great way to show a bit of your content and invite people to check out your main platform. Share interesting snippets to draw them in instead of just posting links.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Bad first experiences

Kenny’s Sub • 139 implied HN points • 11 Jul 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Startups Marketing Failure Personal Growth
  1. Many people's first attempts at something new often go poorly, and that’s a common experience. Expecting failure can help you handle it better.
  2. Most businesses face a high chance of not succeeding, especially in their early years, so it's important to stay realistic about challenges.
  3. After a bad experience, it’s crucial to not give up on your dreams. Keep trying new things, as you might discover you enjoy or succeed at them later.

Global VC Funding Settles💰, IPO Preparation Guide📚, 2024 Tech Trends Report🔮 & more!

The VC Corner • 599 implied HN points • 17 Mar 24
💼 Business Venture Capital Startups Market Analysis
  1. Global venture capital funding has stabilized recently, suggesting a shift in investment patterns. This could mean more cautious approaches from investors as they evaluate opportunities.
  2. There is a guide available for preparing for Initial Public Offerings (IPOs), which is crucial for companies looking to go public. This guide can help businesses understand the steps they need to take to be ready.
  3. A report detailing tech trends for 2024 is available, highlighting what to expect in the tech industry. Staying informed about these trends can help businesses plan and adapt for the upcoming year.

Communicate like a Senior: Add the (right) context

High Growth Engineer • 782 implied HN points • 27 Jul 25
💼 Business Communication Leadership Project management Collaboration Productivity
  1. When tagging someone in a long conversation, give them a quick summary and a clear question to avoid making them read everything. This way, they can help you faster.
  2. For pull requests, include not just what changed but also why it matters. Explain the context so reviewers understand your changes right away.
  3. When asking for help, be specific about your issue and share what you've already tried. Add relevant links and screenshots to make it easier for others to assist you.

Agentic e-commerce is a HUGE deal

Enterprise AI Trends • 189 implied HN points • 02 Dec 25
💼 Business E-commerce Retail Platforms Marketplaces AI Advertising Monetization Startups Partnerships
  1. AI shopping agents are driving a major shift in how people discover products and could become the dominant top-of-funnel for research-heavy purchases, with models like OpenAI’s positioned to aggregate many retailers’ catalogs.
  2. Agentic shopping will help most with high-price, research-intensive categories (electronics, furniture, hardlines) but won’t replace softlines or consumables, and it faces real conversion hurdles because users still compare prices, resist new merchant accounts, or prefer faster fulfillment.
  3. The market is splitting into an Amazon-controlled, closed experience and a Chatbot-led discovery layer, which benefits big platforms and OpenAI while threatening affiliate publishers and many startups, and forces retailers to partner or risk losing visibility.

How Has U.S. Manufacturing Been Going Over the Past Generation?

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 176 implied HN points • 03 Dec 25
💼 Business Manufacturing Productivity Economics Technology Supply Chains Trade Measurement Policy
  1. Official measures understate manufacturing productivity because producer deflators miss big quality improvements. Using consumer-facing hedonic adjustments pushed through input–output tables raises measured TFP a lot, especially in computers and electronics.
  2. Even after correcting for mismeasurement, manufacturing shows a clear slowdown after the 2007–2009 financial crisis; the strong gains are concentrated in a few ICT subindustries while much of manufacturing has essentially stagnated.
  3. If quality growth has been undercounted, manufacturing matters more for growth and policy than official data imply, so researchers should dig into why ICT dominates the gains and test robustness to margins, globalization, and measurement choices.

What to expect when you’re expecting (dilution)

The VC Corner • 339 implied HN points • 11 May 24
💼 Business Startups Equity Fundraising Investing Market Trends
  1. Founders should be careful with SAFEs as they can quickly lead to dilution. Stacking too many SAFEs can reduce the ownership percentage of founders significantly.
  2. When selling equity, it's important to know how much to give up in each round of fundraising. This impacts the long-term value and control of the company.
  3. Understanding deal terms is crucial in the fundraising process. They can greatly affect the level of dilution and overall impact on the company's future.

Autos deepdive 🚗

Genuine Impact - Charting Finance, Investing & Tech • 982 implied HN points • 08 Jan 24
💼 Business Automotive Financial reports Electric Vehicles Revenue
  1. 2022 saw a significant rise in the electric vehicle market, with companies like Tesla and BYD achieving impressive results.
  2. Tesla's revenue in 2022 hit $81.5 billion, showing a 51% increase from the year before, with net income growing by 128%.
  3. BYD, a Chinese company, reported a remarkable 319% year-on-year increase in net profit in 2022 due to the expansion of the new energy vehicle industry.

Highlights From The Comments On Capitalism & Charity

Astral Codex Ten • 6744 implied HN points • 11 Jan 24
💼 Business Charity Capitalism Development Economic Growth
  1. Some comments argue for reiterating the importance of a specific context when considering spending money for charity or capitalism.
  2. There are discussions on the effectiveness of investing in companies with social missions, such as providing microfinance or supporting profitable charitable ventures.
  3. Consideration is given to the balance between supporting capitalism and charitable causes in the context of economic impact and sustainability.

How to get funding from deluded, self-congratulatory investors

Penelope Trunk's Substack • 419 implied HN points • 21 Apr 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Investment Gender Equality Networking Workplace dynamics
  1. Having a male co-founder can improve a female founder's odds of raising funding due to biases in the investment industry.
  2. Focusing on showcasing a reckless passion and working long hours can help female founders combat gender biases when pitching to investors.
  3. Building a network of male connections can be essential for female founders in navigating the challenges of the venture capital landscape.

Sometimes, marketing comes down to a personal decision

{grow} by Mark Schaefer • 19 implied HN points • 02 Oct 24
💼 Business Marketing Strategy Entrepreneurship Social media Branding
  1. Marketing works better when you follow your own unique path instead of just copying others. Making personal choices can help your strategy stand out.
  2. There’s too much focus on marketing 'best practices,' which can make everything look the same. Doing something different can become your competitive edge.
  3. Instead of worrying about what everyone else is doing, focus on being authentic and sharing your true story. People connect better with real emotions and experiences.

Against loose feedback loops for young professionals

Optima & Outliers • 179 implied HN points • 24 Jun 24
💼 Business Startups Corporate culture Professional development Value Creation Career Advice
  1. Working at big companies can teach you specialized skills, but they often don't show you how your work contributes to the bigger picture. You might learn things that are valuable in a small circle but not necessarily important for real-world impact.
  2. Starting your career at a startup can be more beneficial for developing broader skills. You'll see the direct results of your work, and it pushes you to understand what really delivers value to customers.
  3. If you want a career where you can make a real impact and create valuable products, it's worth considering spending some time outside of large corporations to gain that experience.

Y-Combinator's Framework: How Much Traction Is Needed To Raise Funding? | VC Jobs

Venture Curator • 319 implied HN points • 14 May 24
💼 Business Venture Capital Startup funding Product-Market Fit Job Opportunities
  1. When seeking funding, having evidence of growth potential is essential, even without a built product. Investors look for scalability and market understanding.
  2. Successful startups focus on solving popular, urgent, and growing problems with frequent solutions. Frequency in addressing a problem can lead to exponential growth.
  3. For startups, having the right distribution channels can be more important than having a great product. Efficient distribution impacts customer acquisition cost and lifetime value.

Yassified Walmart?

Snaxshot • 459 implied HN points • 03 May 24
💼 Business Retail Marketing Food
  1. Foxtrot Market details and liquidation discussed in this post.
  2. Bettergoods described as Yassified Walmart, with comparisons to Erewhon and hypebeast grocers.
  3. Coverage of Crunchy teens crusade against BigFood and curation of new products.

The dream of deregulation - the grid part III

Construction Physics • 9812 implied HN points • 17 Jun 23
💼 Business Energy Regulation Competition Market Policy
  1. Electric power in the US was historically monopolized by utility companies, but cracks in the system started to appear in the 1960s and 1970s.
  2. The Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 revolutionized the energy industry by creating a new class of independent power producers called Qualifying Facilities, leading to an increase in non-utility electricity generation.
  3. Deregulation of the electric power industry began in the 1990s and 2000s, with the unbundling of generation and transmission services, creation of new power suppliers like Exempt Wholesale Generators, and the establishment of Independent System Operators and Regional Transmission Organizations to introduce competition.

From his brother's couch to $300/hour on Upwork

Kenny’s Sub • 179 implied HN points • 24 Jun 24
💼 Business Freelancing Entrepreneurship Marketing Consulting Remote work
  1. Starting as a freelancer on platforms like Upwork can lead to great success, as experienced by those who raised their rates significantly while building a solid reputation.
  2. Building a strong profile on Upwork is important because positive reviews and job history can make you more visible to clients, even if it costs you some fees.
  3. Handling difficult clients is part of freelancing; offering refunds quickly can help maintain your reputation when problems arise.

From Bushwackers to F1 Drivers: Evolving Employee Types as Startups Scale

Gad’s Newsletter • 47 implied HN points • 02 Feb 26
💼 Business Startups Hiring Scaling Org Design Leadership Culture Operations
  1. Startups need different people as they grow: bushwackers to invent in chaos, off-road drivers to stabilize and scale, and F1 drivers to optimize and run at high efficiency.
  2. The biggest scaling mistake is hiring the right people for the wrong stage — add structure at the right time and integrate new roles carefully so you don’t smother innovation or collapse under chaos.
  3. Even mature companies must preserve some exploratory teams and have leaders translate between archetypes so experimentation and process coexist and each group is rewarded appropriately.

Movers, Shakers, & Money Makers (7/22)

Human Capitalist • 159 implied HN points • 23 Jul 24
💼 Business Job Market Career Changes Corporate strategy Workforce Insights Leadership
  1. Many people changed jobs recently, including key leaders in companies like DoorDash and PepsiCo. These moves can show new strategies that companies might adopt.
  2. Some job changes could lead to interesting collaboration opportunities. For example, leaders moving to new companies might team up for projects that benefit both.
  3. Keeping an eye on job changes can help people understand market trends and potential shifts in industries. Knowing who is moving can help you anticipate business developments.

Greek tech salaries

The Greek Analyst • 279 implied HN points • 24 May 24
💼 Business Tech Startups Economy Gastronomy
  1. Salaries in the Greek tech industry are usually higher than in other domains and pertain to high-productivity jobs, which can drive up salaries in other industries.
  2. Despite some improvements in recent years, Greek tech salaries are still relatively low compared to other European countries, with Greek IT workers having one of the lowest average compensations in Europe.
  3. The current landscape in the Greek tech market presents opportunities for local tech talent as remote global companies are showing interest, leading to a rise in demand and potential for better compensation packages.

Founders over fifty.

The Common Reader • 1842 implied HN points • 08 Feb 25
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Investing Venture Capital Startups Innovation
  1. Older founders often have more experience and valuable connections than younger ones. This helps them spot opportunities that others might miss.
  2. Studies show the average age of successful entrepreneurs is around 45. Older founders are more likely to make successful sales than younger founders.
  3. Experience from past failures can improve the chances of success in new ventures. Many middle-aged entrepreneurs have the financial stability to start their own businesses.

Astera Labs IPO - The Next Connectivity Superhero or Steamrolled By Competition?

SemiAnalysis • 5354 implied HN points • 17 Mar 24
💼 Business Technology Finance Competition Market Analysis Forecasting
  1. Astera Labs is a key player in the AI infrastructure market, supplying connectivity chips to hyperscalers, AI accelerator vendors, and system OEMs.
  2. Connectivity in the datacenter market is highly competitive, but Astera Labs has the opportunity to become a connectivity 'Superhero' by maintaining market share and expanding product lines.
  3. Astera Labs focuses on solving connectivity bottlenecks in high-speed interfaces by offering retimers to improve signal integrity, particularly targeting PCIe 4.0 and 5.0 specs.

Naming and shaming in Japan

Asian Century Stocks • 884 implied HN points • 17 Jan 24
💼 Business Corporate Governance Market Analysis Investor Relations Financial Performance
  1. Japan's corporate governance reforms, starting with Abenomics, have been driving positive change in the capital allocation practices of Japanese companies.
  2. The Tokyo Stock Exchange's new listing structure, especially the Prime Market, has raised standards for companies, promoting better corporate governance.
  3. The practice of naming and shaming low price/book ratio companies in Japan is pushing them to improve profitability, enhance investor communication, and comply with new capital allocation rules.

SVB

Market Sentiment • 1552 implied HN points • 12 Mar 23
💼 Business Finance Banking Startups Investing Economics
  1. Understanding the different sides of risk is crucial - the likelihood of getting hit, the average impact, and the extreme consequences.
  2. Banks operate by lending out deposits at higher rates to make profits, but this system poses the risk of bank runs.
  3. SVB's rapid collapse was triggered by increased stress, a market sell-off, and a loss of customer confidence due to poor communication.

TBM 358: The Genius of SVPG

The Beautiful Mess • 1190 implied HN points • 16 May 25
💼 Business Change Management Leadership Organizational development Product Management Corporate strategy
  1. The SVPG approach to change is effective because it gives leaders a way to improve their product practices without losing face. It helps them take action while feeling confident in their leadership.
  2. For change agents within a company, who you are and how you say things really matters. Sometimes, your message might not be heard because of who you are, so timing and framing are important.
  3. Making big changes in an organization is tough and messy. Real change often requires removing hidden barriers and understanding that success doesn't just come from having a good plan; it's about navigating complex situations.

Movers, Shakers, & Money Makers (8/5)

Human Capitalist • 119 implied HN points • 06 Aug 24
💼 Business Job Market Employment Trends Executive Changes Workforce Insights Freelancing
  1. Many people switch jobs frequently, which shows how dynamic the job market is. Keeping track of these changes can help companies and recruiters find top talent.
  2. Some job changes were from traditional sectors like news to tech-focused roles. This highlights how industries are blending and evolving.
  3. Freelancing is on the rise, and there are many reasons people are opting for this kind of work. This trend can change how businesses approach hiring and project work.