The hottest Business Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Business Topics

Delusions of grandeur

Kenny’s Sub • 239 implied HN points • 21 May 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Market research Startups Business strategy Project management
  1. Having big ideas can be exciting, but it's important to ground them in reality. You might be really enthusiastic about your dreams, but they need to be achievable in the real world.
  2. It's easy to get caught up in the excitement and ignore warnings. Just because something feels good doesn't mean it will be successful.
  3. Learning from failure is okay. Taking risks and experiencing disappointment can teach you valuable lessons for the future.

Podcast notes

Off to Lunch • 648 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Market News Industry insights Career development
  1. The episode features an interview with Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou discussing building easyJet and facing competition.
  2. Zuber Issa may offload his stake in Asda, UK companies anticipate increasing prices despite inflation easing, and Sir Tim Clark criticizes Boeing.
  3. A piece on executive coaches for business leaders and an article from 1985 about laptop computers not becoming popular offers insights on technology trends.

From 0 SEO experience to an agency

Kenny’s Sub • 179 implied HN points • 11 Jun 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Marketing Sales Management Personal Development
  1. To succeed, it's important to go all out and fully engage in your work. Learning from past experiences and caring about people can make business more enjoyable and rewarding.
  2. Staying committed to your daily routines helps maintain momentum. Missing a day is okay, but try not to miss two in a row to keep moving forward.
  3. Effective communication is key, especially in sales. By planning questions and being genuinely curious, you can connect better with people and help them achieve their goals.

Every traditional media outlet is launching a creator division

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 499 implied HN points • 12 Aug 25
💼 Business Media Industry Content Creators Digital
  1. Media companies are starting creator divisions to work with independent creators. This means more opportunities for people to share their content and ideas.
  2. TikTok influencers are becoming a new form of news anchor for younger audiences. They deliver news quickly in a way that fits with how younger people consume content.
  3. Creating a successful newsletter doesn't always require a strong personal brand. For example, some people focus on the quality of their content instead of promoting themselves.
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Top Gear's Original Stig & Ex Formula One racer shares his tips for showing up like a champion – 'whatever it takes'

The Green Techpreneur • 28 implied HN points • 30 Jan 26
💼 Business Startups Leadership Fundraising Marketing Strategy Mindset Networking
  1. Be prepared to do whatever it takes — make big sacrifices, work relentlessly, and find ways over, under, or through the barriers in front of you.
  2. Get noticed and build reputation — actively promote your results, seek opportunities, and make small wins visible so others will support you.
  3. Stay resilient and adaptable — learn from setbacks, temper raw talent into consistent performance, and keep tweaking your approach instead of giving up.

Are Super Bowl Commercials Actually Worth The Price?

Huddle Up • 28 implied HN points • 06 Feb 26
💼 Business Advertising Marketing Media Broadcasting Brand Strategy
  1. A single Super Bowl spot can transform a brand overnight, driving massive sales and wide cultural attention even from just one airing.
  2. Ad rates and total campaign costs have exploded — a 30‑second spot costs millions and, with required network buys, production, talent, and digital amplification, top campaigns can reach $20–30M or more; because ad inventory is limited and demand is huge, networks earn hundreds of millions each year.
  3. Those price tags make Super Bowl ads practical mainly for very large marketers, and measuring success is complex, requiring companies to weigh immediate sales against brand lift, earned media, and long‑term ROI.

What's Next for SAS? (Again)

thomaswdinsmore • 199 implied HN points • 02 Jun 24
💼 Business Companies IPO Leadership Finance Growth
  1. SAS founder Jim Goodnight faces a transition in leadership and ownership as he's 82 with no children engaged in the business.
  2. Options for SAS's future include selling to employees, a corporate buyer, or private equity investors, all of which may lead to restructuring.
  3. Despite initial plans to go public, SAS has faced challenges with growth and profitability, leading to multiple delays in the IPO process.

The corporate solopreneur

Kenny’s Sub • 159 implied HN points • 18 Jun 24
💼 Business Freelancing Entrepreneurship Consulting Networking Project management
  1. It's important to understand the context of your clients' businesses. Many small businesses don't have complex plans like big corporations do.
  2. Asking detailed project questions can be unhelpful when working with smaller clients. They may only need basic support for their immediate needs.
  3. Using the right tools for each specific job is crucial. If your current skills don’t fit, it's okay to seek help or adapt your approach.

Issue #8 - Deliver on the Data Needs, not the Data Desires

The Data Ecosystem • 199 implied HN points • 02 Jun 24
💼 Business Data Strategy Stakeholder engagement Analytics Data Governance Business Intelligence
  1. It's important to focus on what the business truly needs from data, not just what they think they want. Conversations should help uncover real goals and challenges.
  2. Data projects often fail because teams don't ask the right questions or fully understand the business context. Engaging stakeholders regularly is key to success.
  3. A clear step-by-step process helps develop effective data solutions. Start with building a strong data foundation before moving on to more complex analytics.

How To Earn From Your Skills In 2024

Day One • 519 implied HN points • 02 Mar 24
💼 Business Skills Career development Personal Growth Entrepreneurship
  1. Quality is greater than quantity when building skills. Focus on depth and excellence in one area before branching out.
  2. Practice and sharing are crucial for skill development. Don't let fear or ego hinder you from showcasing your work and seeking feedback.
  3. Transitioning to high-demand sectors like blockchain or AI requires understanding the sector's culture and history. Put in the work to adapt and excel.

Bill Gates's €1bn Climate fund🔋, Paths to Product-Market Fit🎯, State of AI investing📊

The VC Corner • 259 implied HN points • 12 May 24
💼 Business Venture Capital Investing Startups Climate finance Market fit
  1. Bill Gates has launched a €1 billion climate fund to invest in sustainable technologies. This means there is a lot of financial support aimed at fighting climate change.
  2. Finding a good product-market fit is crucial for startups. It helps ensure that a product meets the needs of consumers and can be successful in the market.
  3. AI investing is currently a hot topic among investors. There’s a growing interest in technology that leverages artificial intelligence for various applications.

Eggheads

Doomberg • 8689 implied HN points • 08 Apr 23
💼 Business Market Dynamics Financial Performance
  1. Egg production industry faces challenges like feed costs, disease management, and fluctuating demand.
  2. Global egg shortages post-Covid have unique causes in different countries.
  3. Cal-Maine Foods in the US demonstrates success in supplying eggs during shortages, leading to profits and political controversies.

The job seekers guide on how to evaluate a VC backed tech startup 🚀

Channels of Growth • 1257 implied HN points • 02 Jul 23
💼 Business Startups Investment Company Culture Product-Market Fit
  1. Job seekers need resources to evaluate tech startups they are considering working for.
  2. Focus on joining a startup with a good product at an early stage for high potential rewards.
  3. Evaluate the team, culture, and product market fit to set yourself up for a successful career in VC-backed tech startups.

The Private Market Trap Edition

Why is this interesting? • 663 implied HN points • 01 Jul 25
💼 Business Venture Capital Private Equity Market Trends Startup funding Economic Policy
  1. There's a huge amount of money stuck in private companies, making it hard for them and investors to get cash out. This is causing problems for new businesses trying to grow.
  2. The way companies go public has changed a lot, making it harder for newer companies to reach stock exchanges. Many big private companies are now creating their own ways to sell shares.
  3. With less investment going to new startups and less incentive for employees, the U.S. might struggle to create the next big companies, threatening innovation.

LinkedIn isn't over. You're just bad at it.

Kyle Poyar’s Growth Unhinged • 757 implied HN points • 25 Jun 25
💼 Business Marketing Growth Social media B2B Content creation
  1. LinkedIn is a powerful tool for growing B2B brands as it has the largest group of business buyers. Engaging with relevant content can help increase your visibility and grow your audience.
  2. Using original graphics in your posts makes them more engaging and can draw more attention. Visual content often performs better because it captures people's interest.
  3. Don't stress about links in your posts; focus on creating valuable content. If your post is good, people will naturally want to click on your links, and you can always add them after your post is up.

The Bear Cave #282

The Bear Cave • 606 implied HN points • 13 Jul 25
💼 Business Finance Investing Corporate Governance Market Trends Technology
  1. Grizzly Research claims that Pony AI's technology is behind its competitors and has issues with its service quality. They believe it is not ready for busy city driving.
  2. Viceroy Research suggests that Vedanta Resources is financially unstable and mismanages its assets, calling it a 'financial zombie'. They warn that various risks could lead to its collapse.
  3. Recent executive resignations in companies like NWTN Inc and Funko indicate serious governance and financial problems. These companies are facing leadership instability, which can affect their performance.

There's no such thing as f– you money

The Rubesletter by Matt Ruby (of Vooza) | Sent every Tuesday • 1639 implied HN points • 16 Jan 25
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Finance Tech industry Corporate culture Leadership
  1. Wealth doesn't guarantee freedom. Even billionaires serve someone and often compromise their principles.
  2. Charisma and social influence can be more powerful than money. Being likable and persuasive can get people further in many situations.
  3. Cultural power matters more than financial power. Those with money often want to control how they're perceived and fear being ridiculed.

Saudi Arabia Plans $40 Billion Push Into Artificial Intelligence💰, What Is A "Good" VC?💡, SaaS Growth Report☁️ & more!

The VC Corner • 419 implied HN points • 24 Mar 24
💼 Business Venture Capital Artificial Intelligence Startups Technology SaaS Growth
  1. Saudi Arabia is investing $40 billion to advance its artificial intelligence technology. This shows that the country is serious about becoming a leader in AI.
  2. The concept of a 'good' venture capitalist (VC) is being explored. A good VC is someone who not only invests money but also supports and guides startups.
  3. A report on Software as a Service (SaaS) growth highlights trends in the tech industry. This includes information on how companies are expanding and what makes them successful.

The Profile: The $18 billion AI unicorn & the 2024 Super Bowl halftime show performer

The Profile • 793 implied HN points • 21 Jan 24
💼 Business Startups Entertainment Technology Media Investing
  1. The Profile newsletter features interviews with notable figures like Taylor Tomlinson, Usher, and Naomi Osaka.
  2. Taylor Tomlinson, a rising comedian, is experiencing great professional success but questions its impact on her personal life.
  3. Usher is preparing for the 2024 Super Bowl halftime show while juggling various aspects of his life such as therapy, meditation, parenting, and career.

Why I don’t believe in Google Zero

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 523 implied HN points • 01 Aug 25
💼 Business Media industry Economics Content Strategy Entrepreneurship
  1. AI summaries might not hurt content creators in the long run. People still want in-depth articles and original thoughts, not just quick answers.
  2. Emma Tucker is doing a great job as the editor of the Wall Street Journal, focusing on longform storytelling, which shows that engaging content can help grow a media brand.
  3. HGTV is losing viewers to cheaper DIY content on platforms like YouTube. The Creator Economy is changing how media is made and consumed, making it tough for big networks to keep up.

Creative Destruction

In My Tribe • 592 implied HN points • 13 Jul 25
💼 Business Economics Innovation Institutions Productivity Wealth
  1. Innovation has played a key role in improving living standards over the last 250 years. Before that, economic growth was very slow and not shared widely.
  2. Differences in income between countries are often influenced by their institutions and systems. Countries with better setups can help their citizens earn more and live better lives.
  3. The modern economy relies more on intangible factors like skills and innovation rather than just physical goods. This change has led to progress, but it can also disrupt existing jobs.

[Launch] I wrote a book on Growth Marketing

Channels of Growth • 687 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
💼 Business Marketing Startups Entrepreneurship Product Management Sales
  1. The book 'Channels of Growth' focuses on a Growth Marketing Framework for dominating channels and building better products.
  2. All users come from channels when it comes to growth, emphasizing the importance of understanding and optimizing these channels.
  3. The book aims to provide a personal Growth Marketing framework based on lessons from over $100M+ spent on growing products.

DIY vs. Specialization and Trade

In My Tribe • 561 implied HN points • 20 Jul 25
💼 Business Economics Trade Labor Market DIY
  1. Doing things ourselves, like mowing the lawn, can sometimes be a waste of time because we could earn more money working instead. It's important to think about what activities really bring us the most value.
  2. Many people take pride in DIY tasks. This pride can be a strong reason for doing things ourselves, even if it may not be the most efficient choice.
  3. Outsourcing tasks, like hiring someone to do chores, often makes more economic sense. If it frees up time for more rewarding activities, it can be a better choice overall.

WeWork and the temporary end of history

Trevor Klee’s Newsletter • 597 implied HN points • 20 Jul 25
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Startups Investment Corporate Governance Economic Trends
  1. The idea of 'the end of history' might have happened locally around 2010 in America, where everything felt settled, but it really restarted with COVID-19 in 2020. It showed that the future can change quickly.
  2. WeWork's rise and fall highlights how businesses can lose track of financial discipline, particularly when money is being spent on excessive perks and rapid expansion. This can lead to a dramatic failure, even for perceived successful companies.
  3. During the 2010s, many people believed everything would just keep getting better and more convenient, but recent events revealed new challenges. Now, we have to rethink what really matters and build a future that addresses more pressing problems.

The independent landscape

Kenny’s Sub • 119 implied HN points • 02 Jul 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Freelancing Product Development
  1. Making money independently is tough, and there's no one clear way to do it. Each person has to try different methods and find what works for them.
  2. Starting with client work is often easier than jumping straight into creating products. It allows for earning money quickly while learning about business.
  3. Whether you choose to work alone or start an agency, finding balance is key. You need to manage time, energy, and ensure your projects get the attention they need.

5 Ways To Say No, Elegantly and Effectively

Push to Prod • 19 implied HN points • 04 Sep 24
💼 Business Work Culture Communication Productivity Leadership Career development
  1. It's important to set boundaries and learn to say no to extra work or distractions. This can help you stay focused on your own goals.
  2. Using clear and direct phrases when saying no can make it easier for others to understand your limits. This helps avoid long discussions about why you can't help.
  3. Saying no doesn’t make you a bad teammate. It's about prioritizing your tasks to be more effective and contributing to your own success.

One list to rule them all

The Engineering Manager • 23 implied HN points • 13 Feb 26
💼 Business Leadership Management Strategy Operations Product Organizational Design
  1. A single, stack-ranked list of priorities forces real focus and makes trade-offs visible, so you stop pretending everything is equally important.
  2. Multiple roadmaps and competing P0s create silos, spread engineers thin, and cause decision fatigue, which leaves work perpetually unfinished.
  3. Make a list of every initiative, force a strict one-to-n ranking with no ties, and use that list to guide staffing and the hard conversations about what to stop.

Japan’s Declining Commercial Innovation, Part I

Japan Economy Watch • 179 implied HN points • 05 Jun 24
💼 Business Innovation Science Funding
  1. Japan has experienced a decline in commercial innovation since the 21st century, with its share of important patents decreasing, putting it at risk of falling in global rankings
  2. There is a debate on the reasons behind Japan's innovation decline, with one side focusing on the lack of new breakthroughs in basic science and the other on corporations' inefficiency in utilizing scientific advances
  3. Japan faces challenges in funding and supporting PhD programs, leading to a decrease in the number of PhDs produced, impacting the country's scientific output and innovation potential

The business of AI in 2026

Generating Conversation • 70 implied HN points • 08 Jan 26
💼 Business AI Data Centers Acquisitions Startups Investment Infrastructure Applications
  1. Big investments in data centers and GPUs are likely to pay off as inference gets cheaper and more AI applications become economical, so infrastructure buildout is a bullish trend.
  2. Large companies will keep acquiring startups and doing acqui‑hires, and those acqui‑hires can harm the startup ecosystem and spook talent unless policy or enforcement changes.
  3. Frontier labs will move up into higher‑margin applications, so startups must differentiate on orchestration, workflows, and solving harder domains like healthcare, security, and SRE where adoption is slower but more defensible.