Startup Strategies

Startup Strategies explores the intricacies of startup culture, covering personal experiences with failure, the integration of AI in various sectors, mental health challenges founders face, emerging technologies, and the shift in job markets due to AI. It also highlights specific startups and offers resources for navigating the startup ecosystem.

Startup Culture Artificial Intelligence Mental Health in Startups Emerging Technologies Job Market Trends Startup Success Stories Media and Journalism

The hottest Substack posts of Startup Strategies

And their main takeaways

Startup News: Wealthon raises $133 million to scale SME financing in Central Europe

42 implied HN points • 18 Feb 25
💼 Business Fintech Investment Market Trends Digital Services
  1. Wealthon, a fintech company, raised $133 million to help small and medium businesses in Central Europe. This money will be used to grow their services and reach more customers.
  2. They provide quick financing options to businesses, allowing them to get loans as fast as seven minutes. Their digital approach makes it easy for companies to access funds with less paperwork.
  3. Wealthon is becoming a leader in Poland's lending market by tripling its financing volume in 2024. They focus on innovative financial solutions tailored specifically for SMEs.

Why tech went MAGA

142 implied HN points • 07 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political trends Tech Impact Cultural Shifts Public Opinion
  1. The relationship between technocrats and the Democratic party has changed. They used to work together but are now distant.
  2. Tech leaders have shifted their focus and support towards MAGA, which reflects a change in political allegiance.
  3. The past optimism in tech, seen during the Dot-Com boom, is contrasted by current sentiments of mistrust and division in the industry.

A review of Brick, a little box that shuts down your phone

71 implied HN points • 02 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Gadgets Apps Media Product Reviews
  1. The Brick is a device that helps you stop using apps on your phone by locking them down until you tap it again. This makes it harder to scroll through social media mindlessly.
  2. Although it works well to keep you off distracting apps, it's not the cheapest option available. There are free apps like Screen Time that can do something similar.
  3. Some people might prefer making their own version of the Brick with cheap parts instead of buying one. It’s a fun project, but the Brick does its job of reducing screen time effectively.

Review: The Klydo Clock, a wild and very fun wall clock you've probably seen on Instagram

57 implied HN points • 04 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Gadgets Design Innovation Consumer Electronics Reviews
  1. The Klydo Clock is not just a regular clock; it's a fun and animated gadget that makes timekeeping more exciting.
  2. This clock adds a stylish touch to any room, making it both functional and aesthetically pleasing.
  3. It’s a great example of how a simple everyday object can be transformed into something cool and enjoyable.

Everything is broken, right on schedule

128 implied HN points • 10 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political theory Social Issues Historical context Generational Trends Crisis Management
  1. History goes in cycles, where each generation faces a crisis that leads to change. After a huge crisis, society often rebuilds and everything seems stable again for a while.
  2. Current events are part of a major crisis that could really shake things up. While it feels bad now, crises can also lead to new beginnings and improvements.
  3. Even when things seem really tough, people have a strong ability to adapt and survive. Change is constant, and we might end up with a better world after this crisis.
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Meet SubMarket, my new tool for making money from your newsletter

42 implied HN points • 20 Jan 25
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Marketing Startups Advertising Digital Media
  1. SubMarket is a new tool designed to help newsletter owners earn money. It connects newsletter writers with advertisers who want to reach their audience.
  2. The service allows users to create classified ads, making it easier for them to find relevant partnerships. This could be a big boost for those who rely on their newsletters for income.
  3. John Biggs invites anyone interested in being on his show to reach out via email. He seems open to chatting with anyone, which is a nice way to engage with the community.

Join me tomorrow night in New York!

71 implied HN points • 13 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Events Education Entertainment Psychedelics
  1. There's a talk happening in New York about mushrooms and psychedelics. It's a chance to learn something new and have fun.
  2. The event is called Nerdnite and features a variety of interesting topics. It's a great place to enjoy a night out with some laughs.
  3. If you're curious about psychedelics, this talk could offer new insights. It might even spark your interest in the subject.

Review: The Das Keyboard 5QS Mark II

28 implied HN points • 07 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Gadgets Reviews Computing Innovation Hardware
  1. The Das Keyboard 5QS Mark II is well-built and durable, making it a solid choice for keyboard lovers. It has a nice premium feel and doesn’t slide around on the desk.
  2. The keyboard features RGB-lit keys for notifications, which can be customized using special software, but this feature isn't very useful for most people.
  3. At $219, it’s on the expensive side compared to other keyboards with similar features. You might find better value by getting a cheaper keyboard and using a separate monitor for notifications.

Startup Profile: Happy Patina

57 implied HN points • 08 Nov 24
💼 Business Startups Entrepreneurship Product Design Branding Market Trends
  1. Oscar Arenas started a slipper brand to continue a family tradition. His grandfather made similar slippers since 1981, showing how family history can inspire new businesses.
  2. Happy Patina focuses on products that change over time. This idea can appeal to customers who appreciate items that evolve and tell a story.
  3. Switching from an IT career to launching a product can lead to success. It shows the value of following your passion, even if it means a big change.

What is Keep Going?

28 implied HN points • 12 Nov 24
🎙 Podcasts Media Technology Startups Business Education
  1. Keep Going is a podcast and publication that focuses on technology and users. It's run by John Biggs, who has a background in major tech publications.
  2. The aim is to explore the relationship between startups, technology, and society. This is important as many popular tech sites have shut down recently.
  3. The platform offers a free trial for new subscribers, encouraging people to engage with its content and discover more about tech startups.

I'm a failure

413 implied HN points • 23 Jun 23
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Failure Podcasts
  1. The author discusses their personal experiences with failure in startups and projects.
  2. Despite failures, the author started a podcast on failure and success.
  3. The post promotes a 7-day free trial to access more content on startup strategies.

Regrouping Startup Strategies

57 implied HN points • 20 Feb 24
💼 Business Startups Entrepreneurship Media Podcasts Consulting
  1. The author aims to highlight cool startups that may not get enough recognition due to funding issues.
  2. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has significantly impacted the startup funding landscape, leading to job losses.
  3. The author offers opportunities for startups to get featured, pitch coaching, and content agency services.

Depression for Founders

114 implied HN points • 16 Aug 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health
  1. Building a startup involves facing failure and making mistakes - it's inevitable.
  2. Founders may experience moments of depression and doubt in their journey.
  3. Seeking help and support is crucial, especially in cases of suicidal thoughts.

Building my own guillotine

142 implied HN points • 19 May 23
🕹 Technology AI Blogging Generative AI
  1. The author has been experimenting with generative AI and has created something intriguing.
  2. The author used to write many blog posts per day to maximize earnings.
  3. To continue reading, a 7-day free trial is available for accessing the full post archives.

Introducing Media Copilot

71 implied HN points • 07 Dec 23
🕹 Technology AI Media Journalism News
  1. Pete Pachal started a successful Substack called The Media Copilot focusing on AI in media, journalism, and news.
  2. The Substack aims to delve into how AI is influencing the media landscape.
  3. Readers can access the full post archives with a 7-day free trial.

Alison.AI analyzes your creative to ensure real conversion

42 implied HN points • 04 Mar 24
💼 Business AI Startup Advertising Funding Technology
  1. Alison.AI, founded by Asaf Yanai and Koby Berkovich, uses AI to optimize video advertising by analyzing competitors' successful creatives. They offer a suite of tools for enhancing the video creation process from ideation to production.
  2. Alison.AI stands out by focusing on video creative analysis, providing data-driven insights for optimizing video ads and streamlining advertising campaign briefs with the SmartBrief feature.
  3. The startup secured a significant $5.1 million pre-seed funding round, with investors like a16z, and has shown impressive growth by analyzing millions of creatives, identifying key features, and working with major companies in the digital marketing space.

Meet in Barcelona?

85 implied HN points • 06 Sep 23
💼 Business Startups Entrepreneurship
  1. Smart City Expo 2023 will be held in Barcelona in November.
  2. Startups can participate in the Call for Startups pitching competition.
  3. Winner of the competition can receive up to 25,000 Euro in prizes.

AI will kill us all

114 implied HN points • 31 May 23
🕹 Technology AI
  1. AI poses a threat due to misunderstanding.
  2. We're unlikely to face a future with rogue AI.
  3. Significant assumptions are made about AI's capabilities.

Embrace the Centaur

85 implied HN points • 30 Aug 23
🕹 Technology AI Writing
  1. The author discusses the Centaur model for AI collaboration in the context of writing.
  2. The author invites readers to join a course on ChatGPT Journalism at NYU.
  3. Readers can access more content by subscribing to Startup Strategies and get a 7-day free trial.

Threads is the real MVP

85 implied HN points • 06 Jul 23
🕹 Technology Social media Tech news
  1. Threads is being discussed a lot on the internet as it's a Twitter-like platform by Facebook.
  2. It's easy to use - just create an account and start posting.
  3. Threads is seen as a minimum viable product with potential.

From Software Engineer to Watchmaker, This Entrepreneur Is Diving Into Horology

14 implied HN points • 21 Feb 24
🪞 Fashion & Beauty Entrepreneurship Design
  1. FOLIOT is a watch brand founded by a software engineer who transitioned into watchmaking, blending technical expertise with a passion for horology.
  2. The Scubanaut collection by FOLIOT offers high-quality, affordable dive watches designed for modern adventurers, with unique features like independently adjustable hour hands and full GMT functions.
  3. FOLIOT's founder emphasizes delivering well-made watches at an unbeatable price and hints at future releases inspired by exploration and adventure.

Eargasm: This earplug startup lets you bang your head safely

0 implied HN points • 14 Mar 24
🪞 Fashion & Beauty Startup Music Quality
  1. Eargasm offers earplugs for music lovers that maintain sound quality while reducing noise by 16db. They are comfortable, light, and designed for those who don't want to compromise their concert experience.
  2. In addition to standard high fidelity earplugs, Eargasm also offers unique Earlights that light up, adding a fun twist to your concert experience. These earplugs are aimed at a more discerning user who values quality over cheap disposable options.
  3. While Eargasm earplugs are priced on the higher end at $43 and $54, they are a good investment for frequent concert-goers who want to protect their hearing without sacrificing audio quality. The products are well-made and designed for music enthusiasts.

Startup Show: This VC is bringing AI to hedge funds

0 implied HN points • 08 Jan 25
💼 Business Investments Technology Finance Startups AI
  1. Beyond Alpha Ventures uses AI to improve investment strategies. Their goal is to make decisions faster and reduce mistakes in the market.
  2. The firm prioritizes compliance, ensuring that they follow all regulations. This makes investors feel secure about their investments.
  3. They are also involved in funding new tech projects, like those in the AI field. This shows their commitment to innovation in investing.