The hottest Business Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Business Topics

YC Strategy 'Cash In, Cash Out, Milestones Achieved' To Raise Funding | Peter Thiel On 'Make A Product A Few Love' | VC Remote Jobs & More

Venture Curator • 439 implied HN points • 15 Nov 23
💼 Business Venture Capital Entrepreneurship Funding Startups Remote Jobs
  1. Y Combinator's strategy for raising funding includes focusing on 'Cash In, Cash Out, Milestones Achieved' to impress investors.
  2. Peter Thiel emphasizes the importance of making a product that a few people really love, rather than trying to please a large group at the start.
  3. When seeking venture capital funding, it is crucial to have a clear plan for the amount of money you need, the runway required before the next round, and the milestones you aim to achieve.

The State Of The Legal Talent Market: A Data-Driven Analysis

Original Jurisdiction • 299 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
💼 Business
  1. In 2023, law firm hiring was slower compared to 2021 and 2022, with a significant decrease in corporate attorney hires.
  2. Kirkland & Ellis led in entry-level talent hires, while experienced attorney hires decreased in 2023.
  3. Demand for transactional attorneys decreased in 2023, particularly in capital markets and M&A, but there was an uptick in corporate and litigation hiring towards the end of the year.

When Change Outruns Us

Fish Food for Thought • 42 implied HN points • 24 Dec 25
💼 Business Management Leadership Strategy Change Management Organizational Culture Human Resources Organizational Design
  1. When companies change faster than people can adapt, employees get exhausted and stop learning. That creates compliance without conviction and a culture that frays.
  2. Growth needs time to absorb change—quiet intervals for people to make sense, rebuild habits, and consolidate learning. Slack and recovery are not inefficiencies but necessary infrastructure for durable capability.
  3. Leaders should value direction and readiness over raw speed and watch for signs of saturation, slowing the tempo to let changes take root. Measure progress by clarity and strengthened capabilities, not by how many initiatives are launched.

I've found the last missing piece 🔍

André Casal's Substack • 19 implied HN points • 13 Aug 24
💼 Business Startups Entrepreneurship Marketing Product Development
  1. The founder had productive calls with developers, gaining insights to improve their project after the launch. It's important to listen to experienced people to refine your ideas.
  2. They enhanced their landing page by adding testimonials and changing the pricing strategy, which could help attract more customers. Good copy and clear pricing can make a big difference.
  3. The next steps include generating social proof and setting up a Product Hunt pre-launch page, showing a plan to engage potential users and increase visibility before launch.
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1st Look at Local Housing Markets in June

CalculatedRisk Newsletter • 282 implied HN points • 08 Jul 25
💼 Business Real Estate Market Trends Sales Data Economic Indicators Inventory Management
  1. In June, home sales increased slightly by 0.9% compared to the same month last year, which is a good sign after previous declines.
  2. There were more new home listings this June, showing an increase of 7.7% year-over-year, but still lower than the activity in 2019.
  3. Inventory levels rose significantly by 39.3% year-over-year, indicating that more homes are available for buyers now compared to last year.

The Dynamically Priced City

The New Urban Order • 199 implied HN points • 11 Mar 24
💼 Business Urban Economics Behavior Change
  1. Dynamic pricing can help businesses like Amtrak optimize revenue and manage unsold inventory effectively.
  2. Cities are considering implementing dynamic pricing to influence behavior, reduce congestion, and increase revenue for public services like transportation.
  3. Dynamic pricing could be a valuable tool for businesses, nonprofits, and public sectors to adapt to post-pandemic economic challenges and maximize revenue.

✅ Please and thank you, ChatGPT

Wadds Inc. newsletter • 59 implied HN points • 24 Jun 24
💼 Business Public Relations Media AI Tools Communication Industry Trends
  1. AI can help public relations workers do their jobs better, but it won't completely take their place. There are still many tasks that need human touch, like building relationships.
  2. Many public relations professionals see AI tools as partners in their work, even giving them human-like qualities. This shows a growing acceptance of AI in the industry.
  3. Trust in government and media is quite low right now. Many people feel politicians are not honest or are out for their own interests, which makes it hard for the next government to regain public faith.

When to Raise Funding? How much funding is too little? Too much? | VC Remote Jobs & More

Venture Curator • 259 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
💼 Business Venture Capital Startups Investment Insights
  1. Founders should not jump into fundraising when their business is not ready
  2. When raising funds, it's crucial to know the right timing based on market opportunity, customer needs, and product market fit
  3. Raising too much money can lead to cultural corrosion in a startup, which can affect hiring, management, product focus, and more

The internet is about to be reshuffled

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 673 implied HN points • 17 Jan 25
💼 Business Media industry Content creation Advertising Streaming services Economic Trends
  1. When TikTok shuts down, a lot of users might turn to other platforms instead. This could create big opportunities for content creators who need to act quickly to capture the new audience.
  2. Many media companies struggle to see the true value of their employees. Freelance creators are finding success on platforms like Substack, showing that they can earn more outside traditional jobs.
  3. Spotify's move into audiobooks has helped it attract new listeners and grow its business. This shift is seen as one of the smartest decisions among streaming services, providing more value to subscribers.

📊 The largest public companies in Africa and the world

Afridigest • 27 implied HN points • 10 Jan 26
💼 Business Public Companies Global Markets Emerging Markets Investments
  1. The largest public companies in early 2026 are led by semiconductor and tech giants like NVIDIA, TSMC, and ASML, while banks and big e‑commerce firms top other regions.
  2. Africa’s biggest listed company is Naspers (~$52B), and much of its value comes from overseas investments (notably a Tencent stake) rather than building local infrastructure.
  3. By contrast, Mercado Libre (~$111B) grew by creating Latin America’s e‑commerce and fintech infrastructure, highlighting the open question of whether African markets can yet produce a similar homegrown mega‑cap.

YC

Venture Prose • 519 implied HN points • 21 Aug 23
💼 Business Venture Capital Startups Investing Entrepreneurship Market Trends
  1. YC-backed companies' valuations have significantly increased over the past years due to market conditions and increased capital availability.
  2. When investing in startups, it's crucial to have access to top founders, win deals, and diversify your portfolio with at least 20 deals to maximize returns.
  3. High valuations and early-stage startup frenzy can sometimes lead entrepreneurs to lose sight of the core values and essence of their journey.

The price of payments

Substack • 1191 implied HN points • 12 Aug 24
💼 Business Creator Economy Digital Payments App Store Subscription Models
  1. Creators using platforms like Patreon are facing new costs because of Apple's requirement for in-app purchase systems and their associated fees. This change might lead creators to either raise prices for subscribers or absorb the costs themselves.
  2. Apple's in-app purchase system is very effective for making payments easy and safe, but it also puts a financial strain on creators who use these platforms for their work.
  3. The rise of the creator economy is shifting the dynamic between creators and platforms, as creators are seeking more control over their relationships and earnings. There's an opportunity for creators and platforms to innovate and work together for better solutions.

TBM 338: 4 Core Product OS Design Competencies

The Beautiful Mess • 647 implied HN points • 04 Feb 25
💼 Business Operations Leadership Product Design Systems Thinking Domain Knowledge
  1. Good leadership is key for a product team's success. Leaders need to support and influence their teams effectively, helping them navigate challenges without adding to their stress.
  2. Having the right experience matters. People should understand the product work deeply, as it helps them make better decisions and recognize what needs to be automated or done manually.
  3. Being skilled in operations and systems thinking is important. This means knowing how to manage workflows, map needs, and ensure that the right tools are in place for an efficient process.

Don't be evil*

benn.substack • 920 implied HN points • 25 Oct 24
💼 Business Corporate ethics Startup Culture Venture Capital Technology impact Market Dynamics
  1. Google succeeded for a long time because it was run by good people, or maybe because it just made such a great product that they didn't need to cut corners.
  2. When businesses are struggling, they might feel tempted to act unethically just to survive, but that's often because they don't have enough resources rather than failing morals.
  3. High ambitions can often lead companies to change in ways they didn't expect, sometimes moving away from their original ideals while trying to succeed.

Comment Décider ?

Venture Prose • 738 implied HN points • 22 Jan 23
💼 Business Leadership Framework Engagement
  1. To make decisions effectively, leadership, a decision-making framework, and team engagement are crucial.
  2. Leadership entails setting direction, rhythm, and ensuring alignment with the company's vision and mission.
  3. Utilizing a decision-making framework involves considering the level of information, potential impact, execution intensity, and reversibility of decisions.

Long Take: Visa, Worldpay, and Nuvei settling transactions using stablecoin USDC on Solana

The Fintech Blueprint • 511 implied HN points • 06 Sep 23
💼 Business Finance Technology Payments Networks Blockchain
  1. Visa, Worldpay, and Nuvei are settling transactions using the USDC stablecoin on Solana blockchain.
  2. Financial networks must adapt to new technologies for efficient cross-border transactions.
  3. Creating payment networks involves connecting commercial demands with financial capabilities.

Time is emphasis: planning your calendar as a leader

Lessons • 511 implied HN points • 14 Apr 23
💼 Business Time management Leadership Productivity Delegation Strategy
  1. Your calendar as a leader affects what gets done in the company and how you spend time and resources.
  2. Setting clear priorities and having a structured calendar system are crucial for spending time on strategic priorities.
  3. Create a calendar skeleton to lay out core activities and priorities, and regularly revisit and adjust your system.

Notes on Erdmann Metro Area Housing Estimates: Part 2

Erdmann Housing Tracker • 63 implied HN points • 01 Dec 25
💼 Business Real Estate Market Analysis Investing Housing Policy
  1. The housing market has seen a rise in scarcity premiums, meaning the land under homes has become more expensive due to a lack of housing. This affects how valuable land is in different cities.
  2. Real estate development can be risky due to various market conditions, but areas with higher scarcity premiums may offer better investment opportunities in the long run.
  3. Understanding the trends in housing prices, rents, and scarcity can help local policymakers and developers make better decisions for their communities.

Preparing to launch 🚀

André Casal's Substack • 19 implied HN points • 12 Aug 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Startups Marketing Finance Product Development
  1. Testing the payment flow is crucial. It's important to ensure the payment system works correctly before launching, so real-world testing with coupon codes can help ease nerves.
  2. Improving the landing page can make a big difference. Sometimes stepping away helps you see what's unnecessary or unclear, allowing for better, more precise wording.
  3. Planning next steps is essential for a successful launch. Focus on pricing strategy, generating social proof, and preparing for platforms like Product Hunt to boost visibility.

‘I Don’t Think My Business Can Survive These Tariffs’

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 635 implied HN points • 02 Feb 25
💼 Business Trade Tariffs Small business Economics International Trade
  1. Many small businesses in Canada are struggling due to high tariffs imposed by the U.S., especially under Trump's trade policies. This means they might face serious financial challenges unless these tariffs are lifted.
  2. Darrin Smith, who runs a successful woodworking tools company, is worried that the 25% tariffs will threaten the survival of his business. He relies heavily on sales to the U.S.
  3. The tariffs were created to address issues like illegal immigration and drug smuggling, but the actual impact on businesses could be quite damaging, raising concerns about the broader economy.

Why are corporations cutting managers?

In My Tribe • 698 implied HN points • 02 Jan 25
💼 Business Management Corporate Structure Organizational Behavior Employment Trends
  1. Many companies are reducing their number of middle managers to trim costs and cut bureaucracy. This means fewer people are overseeing employees, which can simplify decision-making.
  2. Firms are focusing on their core business and letting go of complex managerial structures that don’t add immediate value. They might be cutting back on certain initiatives to streamline operations.
  3. Cost-cutting has become a priority for many senior executives, especially when revenue growth slows. This focus on reducing expenses can lead to a significant reshaping of company structures.

ACX Grants Followup Impact Market

Astral Codex Ten • 1858 implied HN points • 07 Mar 24
💼 Business Grants Investment Charity Philanthropy Finance
  1. ACX Grants involves an impact market where investors crowdfund grant proposals with potential for big profits if successful.
  2. Only 44 out of approximately 140 qualified participants have signed up for the impact market so far, with a different approach allowing non-accredited investors to participate.
  3. Investing in impact certificates through this system has risks like potential project failure, but also benefits such as tax deductibility.

💥Nobody Care(ismatic)💥

PETITION • 275 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
💼 Business Bankruptcy Apparel Finance Crypto Legal
  1. A medical apparel seller has filed for bankruptcy due to various financial challenges and changes in the industry.
  2. The restructuring process involves equitizing first lien debt and securing a DIP financing with interesting features.
  3. The bankruptcy filing of Terraform Labs Pte. Ltd., known for the failed stablecoin Terra USD, has led to ongoing legal proceedings and the company's intent to continue its business plan.

How Trump’s Tariff Threat Made Apple Jump

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 570 implied HN points • 24 Feb 25
💼 Business Economics Corporate Trade Investment Leadership
  1. Apple plans to invest $500 billion in the U.S., which could set a trend for other companies. This is a big decision that shows they are responding to economic pressures.
  2. Trump's comments on tariffs indicate he believes they can influence business decisions, like Apple's move to invest domestically.
  3. The situation reflects how political actions can have real effects on large businesses and their investment strategies.

Legally Toast

davidj.substack • 47 implied HN points • 13 Dec 25
💼 Business Automation Labor markets Professional Services Workforce Development Education
  1. Routine, language-driven legal tasks are likely to be automated, so junior and mid-level lawyer roles will shrink while partners and senior lawyers who provide judgment, sales, accountability and human interaction stay essential.
  2. Firms will become more top-heavy and need far fewer junior hires, which will reduce demand for law graduates—especially from second- and third-tier programs—and increase competition for the remaining positions.
  3. This is part of a wider knowledge revolution: AI will replace much routine knowledge work across industries, reshaping labour markets and the economy in a way comparable to the industrial revolution.