The hottest Business strategy Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Business Topics

How to build wealth with little risk

A Bit Gamey • 6 implied HN points • 18 Jan 26
💼 Business Business strategy
  1. Make lots of small, low-downside bets so failures are survivable but winners can run; structure optionality instead of gambling everything.
  2. Enter proven markets by copying what works and then improve on execution; cheap entry and fast learning beat trying to be original from day one.
  3. Protect wins by controlling costs and building simple moats, then be patient and let low fees and long-term compounding do the heavy lifting.

Claude's Shmuck is Bigger!

In My Tribe • 394 implied HN points • 13 Mar 24
💼 Business Business strategy
  1. In the realm of machine learning, size isn't everything. Intelligence is seen as a continuous process, not just about having the largest model.
  2. Rather than betting on one ultimate model, the future may hold multiple specialized uses for machine learning, like in medicine where different applications can thrive.
  3. Building specific applications in machine learning could be more successful than pursuing a one-size-fits-all approach, as seen in historical business scenarios.

the power of nested focus

Tiny Empires • 183 implied HN points • 06 Nov 24
💼 Business Business strategy
  1. Focus on one business at a time to give it the attention it needs. Trying to juggle multiple businesses can lead to poor performance and burnout.
  2. Limit yourself to two revenue streams within your business. This way, you can dedicate your efforts to making them successful, instead of spreading yourself too thin with too many options.
  3. Rely on just two marketing channels to reach your audience. Mastering a couple of channels is more effective than attempting to be everywhere without clear engagement.

Why You’re Wrong About AI Data

From the New World • 70 implied HN points • 03 Jun 25
🕹 Technology Business strategy
  1. Having a lot of data doesn't really create a strong advantage for companies. It can make it easier for others to copy their features, turning unique ideas into common standards.
  2. The belief that you can create a monopoly by having specialized data isn't true. What often happens is that competitors can quickly catch up and do the same thing.
  3. Making complicated business processes clear and usable by AI is valuable, but it doesn't protect a company's secrets. Once a process is automated, others can figure it out easily.

Illumina: The Measurement Monopoly

The Century of Biology • 535 implied HN points • 17 Sep 23
🕹 Technology Business strategy
  1. DNA sequencing technology has rapidly advanced, transforming biology into an information science.
  2. Illumina emerged as a dominant force in genomics by inventing a new measurement technology and establishing enduring differential returns over time.
  3. Illumina's strategic business properties like cornered resources, switching costs, network economies, scale economies, and branding have enabled its market dominance and recurring revenue from consumables.
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How your team can use Open Source to improve productivity [Storytime Saturdays]

Technology Made Simple • 99 implied HN points • 07 May 23
🕹 Technology Business strategy
  1. Open source solutions can provide quick fixes to problems many consider major. They are readily available and already in use by people.
  2. Business leaders and managers often underestimate the significance of open source in technology. It's a powerful resource that can greatly benefit organizations.
  3. Utilizing open source software has become crucial in the tech industry. Knowing how to leverage it can be a game-changer for tech leaders and businesses.

Inside Cadillac’s $1 Billion Formula 1 Bet

Huddle Up • 41 implied HN points • 11 Jul 25
🎾 Sports Business strategy
  1. Cadillac is preparing to enter Formula 1 racing with a big investment of $1 billion. They're working hard to compete with top teams like Ferrari and Mercedes.
  2. The team will soon test their new car at Silverstone Circuit, which is important for getting ready for their first race in Melbourne next year.
  3. Cadillac has been hiring a lot of people and spending a significant amount each month to build their team, showing they are serious about making a mark in Formula 1.

Deconstructing the National Cybersecurity Strategy

Deploy Securely • 78 implied HN points • 03 Mar 23
🕹 Technology Business strategy
  1. The National Cybersecurity Strategy emphasizes the need for businesses to adapt their cybersecurity strategies accordingly.
  2. The strategy addresses the importance of defending critical infrastructure and the need to streamline cybersecurity regulations.
  3. Business leaders should be aware of potential regulatory changes impacting software security and consider the implications of a national cyber insurance backstop.

Downside at Moderna.

Philoinvestor • 78 implied HN points • 04 Apr 23
💰 Finance Business strategy
  1. Moderna has faced significant insider selling of stock by top executives, leading to questions about their management and future prospects.
  2. Despite recent success with COVID vaccine sales, Moderna is now facing a period of cash burn and uncertainty as they seek to pivot post-pandemic.
  3. Investors in Moderna are banking on the company's RNA-technology pipeline to potentially deliver groundbreaking solutions, but there is high risk involved.

4 questions that predict if your business will fail

Tiny Empires • 36 implied HN points • 16 Jul 25
💼 Business Business strategy
  1. To succeed as a solo founder, you need to ensure that you can handle the sales alone. If it requires a team or complex processes, it might not be the right fit.
  2. It's important to play to your strengths. Choose a business that aligns with what you naturally do well and feels comfortable for you.
  3. Make sure your business can operate without your constant attention. If it demands 24/7 work, consider finding a different model that allows you more flexibility.

MacWorld Interviews Apple CEO John Sculley (1987)

Computer Ads from the Past • 128 implied HN points • 13 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Business strategy
  1. Apple's strategy is about creating new markets, not just competing for existing ones. They want to stand out by innovating and providing new technologies.
  2. The future of personal computing is focused on making knowledge more accessible to everyone. Apple's vision includes tools that help people learn and be more creative.
  3. The transition to powerful personal computers will change how we interact with information. Future devices will be more user-friendly and tailored to individual needs.

Why AI Infrastructure Startups Are Insanely Hard to Build

Enterprise AI Trends • 192 HN points • 03 Jul 24
🕹 Technology Business strategy
  1. Building AI infrastructure startups is really tough because there’s a lot of competition. Many startups struggle to offer something different enough to attract enterprise customers.
  2. It's hard for these startups to get noticed because bigger companies like AWS and Google can quickly copy any good ideas. This makes it tough for startups to maintain a unique edge.
  3. To succeed, startups should narrow their focus on a specific market or problem. Doing one thing really well can help them stand out instead of trying to cater to everyone.

MicroStrategy's $37B+ Bitcoin Bet (Is Just The Start)

SatPost by Trung Phan • 106 implied HN points • 30 Nov 24
🔮 Crypto Business strategy
  1. MicroStrategy, a software company, has made a huge shift by investing over $37 billion in Bitcoin. This change aims to protect against inflation and economic instability by using Bitcoin as a long-term store of value.
  2. Michael Saylor, the company's CEO, believes that Bitcoin is the best asset for wealth preservation compared to traditional investments like gold or real estate. He sees it as essential for economic freedom and stability.
  3. By issuing convertibles and equity to raise money, MicroStrategy has created a unique business model that offers investors exposure to Bitcoin without the hassles of buying it directly. This approach is attracting various institutional investors looking for Bitcoin-linked financial products.

SpaceX's Collaborative Orbit

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 39 implied HN points • 06 Dec 23
🕹 Technology Business strategy
  1. SpaceX often collaborates with its competitors, despite having a history of legal disputes with them. This shows that alliances can be more valuable than ongoing conflicts.
  2. Amazon has recently partnered with SpaceX for several launches to help deploy its Project Kuiper satellite network. This highlights how major companies are working together in the space industry.
  3. SpaceX has become a significant player in the aerospace market, making it hard for other companies to ignore its influence and reach.

The Long Game 171: Fatigue, Unfair Advantage, Vertical vs. General AI, Sales Learnings

The Long Game by Mehdi Yacoubi • 2 implied HN points • 16 Jan 26
🕹 Technology Business strategy
  1. Being physically tired from real work or regular exercise quiets overthinking and forces action, so most people would actually feel and perform better with more controlled physical fatigue.
  2. Identify the unfair advantages you already have — such as time, connections, money, or skills — and use them relentlessly instead of pretending everyone starts on an even playing field.
  3. General coding or program‑synthesis AI is becoming a powerful horizontal tool that can automate many tasks, but domain‑specific work still matters for enterprise data access, compliance, integration, and closing the last 5–10% of value.

The rise and fall of the iPod

Jon’s Newsletter • 119 implied HN points • 23 Oct 22
🕹 Technology Business strategy
  1. The iPod was a game-changer for Apple, helping them emerge as a major player in the music industry and aiding in the company's recovery from financial struggles.
  2. Apple's focus on design and simplicity helped the iPod stand out, making it appealing and easy to use compared to other MP3 players at the time.
  3. Over time, the iPhone replaced the iPod, showing how one successful product can lead to the rise and fall of another, and the iPod's legacy continues in Apple's current offerings.

Gen AI Awaits Indian Investments

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 39 implied HN points • 21 Aug 23
🕹 Technology Business strategy
  1. Indian investments in generative AI have been lacking since Infosys's big investment in OpenAI in 2015.
  2. Billionaire Gautam Adani has shown interest in AI by acquiring a company and announcing plans for an AI lab, but progress has been slow.
  3. Mukesh Ambani's focus is mostly on telecom and retail, with only a small investment towards AI technology recently.

A masterclass in product sunsetting is happening in real time

Mehdeeka • 4 implied HN points • 18 Nov 25
💼 Business Business strategy
  1. Linktree is buying Fingertip and will shut it down, asking users to switch to Linktree. This shows how a product can be taken off the market and what happens to its customers.
  2. Sunsetting a product, or removing it from the market, can be really tough for both businesses and customers. It's important to communicate clearly what users can expect during this process.
  3. When a product is sunsetting, companies should help customers find alternatives and make the transition easier. This might include providing support and clear information about what will happen next.

Super Sized: Tesla’s Supercharger Network Takes Over

Jon’s Newsletter • 39 implied HN points • 09 Jun 23
🕹 Technology Business strategy
  1. Tesla's Supercharger network has quickly become the charging standard for other automakers like Ford and GM. This shift shows how serious the industry is about EVs.
  2. Elon Musk's decision a decade ago to create a proprietary charging network was crucial for Tesla's success, ensuring customers could confidently drive their cars longer distances.
  3. Tesla's efficient approach to building and deploying charging stations has given it a competitive edge, while many other charging networks struggle with non-functional stations.

Who Killed Twitter 1.0?

Tech Ramblings • 39 implied HN points • 09 Jul 23
🕹 Technology Business strategy
  1. Twitter struggled to grow because of poor leadership and weak management. Instead of making smart business decisions, they ended up being an easy target for a takeover.
  2. The company failed to innovate and improve, leading to stagnant stock prices. While other tech companies thrived, Twitter's management kept hiring without making meaningful changes.
  3. Even after Musk's takeover, Twitter faces challenges because it still hasn't solved its underlying issues. Competing platforms are emerging, creating a real threat to its future.

The OpenAI corporate revamp seems pretty reasonable

Alex's Personal Blog • 32 implied HN points • 27 Dec 24
💼 Business Business strategy
  1. OpenAI is changing its company structure to better fit its needs for raising and making money. They are moving to a type of corporation that requires them to think about more than just profits.
  2. The new structure will allow OpenAI to balance its mission with the interests of shareholders. This means they must consider how their decisions affect everyone, not just those who own stock.
  3. Although the changes could face challenges, like legal issues with competitors, OpenAI seems focused on preparing itself for future success.

Is Chrome divesture a sacrificial lamb or just a government gambit?

Alex's Personal Blog • 32 implied HN points • 22 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Business strategy
  1. The US government wants to reduce Google's monopoly by possibly making it sell Chrome. This could affect how Google operates and make it easier for other companies to compete.
  2. Amazon is investing heavily in Anthropic, a company that creates AI models. This shows that Amazon is trying to strengthen its position in the competitive AI market.
  3. Some experts believe that the idea of Google selling Chrome might not happen because it makes more sense for Chrome to stay as part of Google's larger business strategy.

My (new) perspective on creating content as a strategy for driving new business

Nate is Learning • 19 implied HN points • 03 Jul 23
💼 Business Business strategy
  1. The author no longer believes creating content is necessary for driving new business.
  2. In-house professionals in B2B companies might not have time or interest to consume content on platforms like LinkedIn.
  3. For B2B buyers, methods like peer recommendations, social ads, search, and cold outreach are more effective than personal branding.

Academia vs Business

inexactscience • 19 implied HN points • 02 Mar 23
💼 Business Business strategy
  1. Academia and business both use data to solve problems, but they focus on different aspects. In academia, getting the right answer is more important than how fast you get it.
  2. The speed-quality frontier shows that in academia, quality matters a lot, which means projects can take years. In business, speed is key, so decisions often get made quickly.
  3. Feedback loops are faster in business. Companies test ideas against real market data quickly, while in academia, feedback often comes later from peer reviews, slowing down the process.

🌟 Your Ultimate AI Guide for Product Managers: 10-Part Series

The Product Channel By Sid Saladi • 16 implied HN points • 20 Oct 24
💼 Business Business strategy
  1. This guide introduces essential AI concepts useful for product managers. Understanding AI can help managers make better product decisions.
  2. It covers the basics of using large language models, which are important tools in AI. Learning to use these models can improve product development.
  3. The guide emphasizes the role of ethics in AI product management. Responsible use of AI is crucial for building trust and ensuring success.

BlackRock’s Barbell

Net Interest • 13 implied HN points • 06 Dec 24
💰 Finance Business strategy
  1. Warren Buffett believes that being both a businessman and an investor is beneficial. Learning from each role can help improve performance in the other.
  2. Many investment firms, like Schroders and Pimco, struggle when they focus too much on one area and lack diversification. These issues can hurt their profits and reputation.
  3. BlackRock, the largest asset manager, successfully mixes passive and alternative investments. They are moving into higher-margin areas to boost profitability and adapt to market changes.

Having a Conversation With Yourself: 2024

Investing 101 • 9 implied HN points • 28 Dec 24
💼 Business Business strategy
  1. Storytelling is a powerful tool that shapes how we see reality. The stories we tell ourselves and others influence our beliefs and actions.
  2. It's important to think long-term in both investments and personal goals. Planning for decades can help you make better choices today.
  3. Ambition is a valuable trait and can coexist with care for family and personal well-being. It's essential to recognize that supporting your ambitions doesn’t take away from others' opportunities.

To hedge or not to hedge, and how to hedge

Klement on Investing • 3 implied HN points • 02 Jul 25
💰 Finance Business strategy
  1. Businesses often face unpredictable costs, like oil prices or exchange rates, which can affect their profits. Hedging these costs can help make profits more stable and predictable.
  2. While hedging can reduce risk, it also comes with complexity and potential costs once the hedge expires. Some companies choose not to hedge at all because of this.
  3. Research shows that simply hedging all exposure might work as well as or better than more complicated strategies, so it’s often best to keep hedging simple.

“Give it away, give it away, give it away now” — Counter positioning in legacy industries

Equal Ventures • 19 implied HN points • 07 Mar 22
💼 Business Business strategy
  1. Counter positioning, giving away software for free, can be a powerful strategy in getting past barriers and driving adoption in legacy industries.
  2. For some users, especially those who are not digitally native, the willingness to pay for software can be very low, creating a challenge for traditional monetization models.
  3. Identifying alternative means of monetization, such as providing superior services while offering software for free, can help companies succeed in legacy industries and encourage digital transformation.

Four Blog Posts I Didn't Publish This Year

Venture Reflections • 8 implied HN points • 16 Dec 24
💼 Business Business strategy
  1. Not every idea needs to be shared. Keeping a drafts folder helps organize thoughts while deciding what’s worth publishing.
  2. Some topics are better discussed in personal conversations, as they can be sensitive or complex. It's okay to hold back rather than add to negativity.
  3. Investor updates are common now, but many are lacking in quality. Providing meaningful information is key to keeping investors informed.

How to prepare your business for a new year ahead

The Ask Newsletter — by Ellen Donnelly • 5 implied HN points • 04 Dec 24
💼 Business Business strategy
  1. Set high expectations for yourself, your business, and the world. This mindset helps drive personal and professional growth.
  2. Identify and overcome personal limitations like fear and knowledge gaps. Clarity is the first step toward overcoming these challenges.
  3. Use a tailored planning tool that aligns with your goals. This will help you track progress and make adjustments throughout the year.

Uniting Data Fiefdoms Under Your Banner

TeamCraft • 13 implied HN points • 30 Oct 23
💼 Business Business strategy
  1. Uniting data fiefdoms under one banner can be challenging due to siloed incentives and data fragmentation.
  2. Data functions often lack proprietary data but have access to all data, highlighting the importance of understanding data context.
  3. Creating a Single Customer View can be a game-changer for businesses, enabling better attribution and decision-making based on a holistic customer journey.

A guide to navigating quarterly noise-flow

Buggy Humans in a Messy World • 1 HN point • 15 Jan 24
💰 Finance Business strategy
  1. The most reliable path to adequate returns involves buying good businesses at fair valuations and holding onto them for the long term.
  2. View each quarter as part of a continuing trajectory instead of in isolation, placing importance on long-term trends over short-term fluctuations.
  3. Focus on controllables like relative performance, balance sheet metrics, and wider error bands around long-term trends for better analysis of quarterly results.

[P] VYX: Checking Out in 2025? (Part 3)

Nongaap Investing • 2 implied HN points • 11 Feb 25
💰 Finance Business strategy
  1. James Kelly has become the new CEO, taking over from David Wilkinson. This change in leadership may lead to new strategies and directions for the company.
  2. The focus seems to be on developments in 2025, suggesting that there are important plans or changes expected in the near future.
  3. This information is part of a subscription model, indicating that there might be more in-depth content available for paying subscribers.

#26: Resilience

The Uncertainty Mindset (soon to become tbd) • 19 implied HN points • 29 Apr 20
💼 Business Business strategy
  1. Businesses that can adapt quickly to changes are more likely to survive tough times. Flexibility helps them respond effectively to new challenges.
  2. Having loyal customers is vital. When customers trust a business, they are more likely to stick around even if the business changes its offers.
  3. Understanding what customers need is crucial. Businesses that stay in close contact with their customers can better meet their changing demands.