The hottest Entrepreneurship Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Business Topics

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.

Where Did TikTok Come From?

The Honest Broker • 7879 implied HN points • 15 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Social media Entrepreneurship Algorithm Digital Platforms Innovation
  1. TikTok's success can be attributed to a strategic focus on teens as the main users of the platform, creating a significant legal and social impact.
  2. Zhang Yiming, founder of TikTok, capitalized on the algorithm's power over user control to pave the way for the platform's global success.
  3. TikTok's uniqueness lies in its outsider status in China, where a similar app exists, showcasing its worldwide appeal and massive user base.

Messi, Inc.

The Generalist • 2341 implied HN points • 22 Feb 24
💼 Business Sports Technology Investing Entrepreneurship Marketing
  1. Being considered the GOAT in a sport can lead to lucrative opportunities and wealth accumulation, as seen with athletes like Michael Jordan and Lionel Messi.
  2. Changes in social media, technology, and athlete earnings have given superstar athletes more power and control over their wealth and commercial endeavors.
  3. Lionel Messi's strategic moves, like moving to America and establishing Play Time, indicate a growing potential for immense wealth through business ventures beyond his football career.
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Is Vivek Ramaswamy A BioTech Ponzi Schemer & Deep State Asset?

2nd Smartest Guy in the World • 4658 implied HN points • 15 Jan 24
💼 Business Biotech Scams Investing Entrepreneurship Finance
  1. Vivek Ramaswamy made millions from biotech companies that failed, leading to accusations of running a Ponzi Scheme.
  2. Ramaswamy has been critiquing corporations engaging in what he calls 'socially conscious investing' as a threat to America's well-being.
  3. Despite accusations and controversies, Ramaswamy's net worth has been estimated to be over $950 million, raising questions about his business practices.

Junk Bond Trader

Where's Your Ed At • 13056 implied HN points • 26 Oct 23
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Finance Marketing Management Investing
  1. Elon Musk is perceived as a modern-day hustler, skilled at manipulating media and markets without creating tangible value.
  2. Musk's success lies in picking companies and products that promise eternal growth, even if the reality doesn't align with the hype.
  3. The acquisitions of SolarCity, Twitter, and the Cybertruck showcase Musk playing outside the odds, relying on emotion, and making risky bets.

How To Overcome Distractions And Boost Your Opportunities

Day One • 439 implied HN points • 30 Mar 24
💼 Business Productivity Entrepreneurship Personal Branding Content creation Goal setting
  1. The mind gives up before the body, so don't let mental barriers dictate physical limits.
  2. Focus on a clear vision and roadmap to avoid distractions and make progress in your goals.
  3. Building a personal brand, monetizing it, and starting a company are three essential stages to follow in growing your opportunities.

O1 Visa Hacks for founders

Extraordinary Aliens • 42 HN points • 19 Apr 24
💼 Business Immigration Entrepreneurship Startups
  1. Obtaining an O1 visa as a founder in the US doesn't require a Nobel prize, funding, or an American co-founder - storytelling and structuring a compelling narrative can be key.
  2. Building credibility for an O1 visa application can involve showcasing exclusive memberships, judging roles, high remuneration, awards, publications, press, original contributions, and critical roles in companies.
  3. The US O1 visa is founder-friendly, allowing for flexibility, quick processing, and serving as a stepping stone towards permanent residency.

On 40 Hours: A Book For A Time Like This

Day One • 938 implied HN points • 09 Mar 24
💼 Business Productivity Self-help Entrepreneurship Personal Finance Marketing
  1. Time is the most valuable asset as it cannot be created or bought back. Focus on utilizing your time effectively to reach your goals.
  2. Distractions such as social media, excess entertainment, and procrastination can hinder progress. Identify them and work towards eliminating them to achieve success.
  3. Prioritize learning from helpful resources and taking action. Choose a few key lessons to implement, banishing distractions until they become part of your daily routine.

My Pitch Framework

Venture Prose • 1517 implied HN points • 18 Feb 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Investment Networking
  1. The goal of a first meeting is to trigger a second one; good investor asks the right questions, bad one slows you down.
  2. Important elements of a good pitch: timing, preciseness, energy, and emotion to keep investors engaged.
  3. Entrepreneurs need optimism, clarity of vision, and ability to adapt quickly; assess qualities like learning from experience and embracing learning from others.

Why newsletter signups should always be your north star

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 723 implied HN points • 08 Mar 24
💼 Business Media Entrepreneurship Finance Marketing Content creation
  1. Focus on growing newsletter signups as a key metric for success, as platforms can impact content creators' reach and livelihood unpredictably.
  2. Media entrepreneurs should be cautious of relying solely on tech platforms for distribution, as policies and algorithms can mistakenly impact their work.
  3. Entrepreneurs in media should consider covering niche news sites, video channels, podcasts, newsletters, and affiliate/ecommerce to succeed independently.

Irresistible Insights

Venture Prose • 299 implied HN points • 24 Mar 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Investing Startups
  1. Founders can stand out when they combine genius with the obvious in their industry or approach.
  2. Sometimes unique and brilliant ideas may seem natural to founders, requiring help to highlight these insights for investors.
  3. Investors seek out founders with irresistible qualities and ideas, often discovering hidden gems in unexpected places.

The posters decide

benn.substack • 457 implied HN points • 15 Mar 24
💼 Business Influence Startups Technology Investing Entrepreneurship
  1. In political elections like the presidential primaries, insiders within the party can heavily influence candidate selection, impacting how votes translate into nominations.
  2. Silicon Valley, despite its reputation for meritocracy and free-market capitalism, also shows signs of elite insiders shaping success by directing funds, influencing hiring decisions, and controlling media narratives.
  3. Public perception and hype generated by influencers play a significant role in Silicon Valley, from selecting blogging platforms to predicting success of new technologies, often superseding personal experiences and independent analysis.

Long on shovels, short on gold

benn.substack • 432 implied HN points • 08 Mar 24
💼 Business Tech Investing Entrepreneurship Venture Capital Startups
  1. In the tech world, many companies are heavily investing in AI, with billions of dollars being raised for AI startups and established companies shifting focus towards AI.
  2. Liquidation preferences in startup funding can lead to conflicts of interest between investors and founders, affecting decisions around company sale and financial outcomes.
  3. Despite the hype around AI, success stories of companies profiting from AI technology are not yet as abundant, raising questions about the actual impact and returns of AI investments.

The Founders’ Guide to Leveraging AI

The Generalist • 480 implied HN points • 05 Mar 24
🕹 Technology AI Startups Finance Entrepreneurship Innovation
  1. Startup founders are navigating the Age of GPTs with new opportunities and risks due to advancements in AI.
  2. AI not only streamlines processes but also enhances human connection, especially in areas like HR.
  3. Industries should leverage AI for efficiencies, and companies need to be cautious not to blindly adopt AI trends without valid reasons.

Coming soon 🦅 🇺🇸

Extraordinary Aliens • 19 implied HN points • 18 Apr 24
💼 Business Immigration Startups Entrepreneurship Globalization
  1. The author, Noemie, shares knowledge and experiences about moving to and building startups in the US as an immigrant, aiming to help others with similar aspirations.
  2. Topics covered include hacks for O1 visas, becoming a freelancer in the US, navigating community building, tax-related matters, and avoiding deportation.
  3. Noemie emphasizes the importance of sharing immigration and startup-related knowledge openly to assist individuals pursuing opportunities in the US.

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.

How To Make All Your Ideas Work

Day One • 219 implied HN points • 23 Mar 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Content creation Marketing Personal Branding
  1. A mission is different from a product. Companies like Stripe demonstrate how products can evolve to serve a clear mission over time.
  2. Having a central mission and roadmap is crucial for success. It helps in aligning ideas and content creation towards a common goal.
  3. Creating a sustainable roadmap is key to managing multiple ideas effectively. Focus on consistent execution and growth before venturing into new projects.

Don't Give Up

Venture Prose • 459 implied HN points • 04 Mar 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Investment Marketing Strategy Success
  1. In crowded markets, strive to show unique insight, act fast, and execute well.
  2. If there's a clear leader, consider different strategies - like targeting a different geography or being more capital-efficient.
  3. Entering small or tough market sectors can still work if you start niche, focus on profitability, and learn from previous attempts.

Ralph Nader Looks Ahead, at Age 90. What He Sees Is Not What You'd Expect.

Breaking the News • 474 implied HN points • 02 Mar 24
💼 Business Leadership Entrepreneurship Business Ethics Corporate culture
  1. Ralph Nader, at age 90, surprises with a new book 'The Rebellious CEO' showcasing leaders who use their influence for good in business, workers' treatment, and environmental policy.
  2. The book has a chatty and personal tone, highlighting the importance of individuals making a positive impact and how small groups can bring meaningful change.
  3. Rebellious CEOs featured in the book prioritize fair treatment of workers and consumers, environmental responsibility, clear communication, and excellence in business without overpaying themselves or whining about regulations.

How to drive paid memberships without a paywall

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 424 implied HN points • 29 Feb 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Media Marketing News Monetization
  1. Emphasize the local impact: Clearly communicate how local news is shrinking in your area to show readers what they may lose without support.
  2. Specify donation purposes: Avoid vague requests and explain how donations contribute to specific journalism projects or coverage areas.
  3. Implement pledge drives: Utilize public-radio-style pledge drives to create urgency and engage readers, ensuring they are consistently reminded of membership opportunities.

How I Left Facebook to Forge My Path in Data Consulting

SeattleDataGuy’s Newsletter • 482 implied HN points • 22 Feb 24
💼 Business Consulting Marketing Networking Resources Entrepreneurship
  1. Define your niche: Before starting a consulting business, determine what specific problems you aim to solve for clients.
  2. Attracting clients: Methods to find clients include content marketing, networking, referrals, sales outreach, and vendor partnerships.
  3. Creating a marketing funnel: Use frameworks like AIDA (Awareness, Interest, Desire, Action) to organize and target your content towards potential clients.

The media isn't getting its election bump

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 224 implied HN points • 15 Mar 24
💼 Business Media Entrepreneurship Content creation Publishing Podcasting
  1. The media did not experience the usual election year audience boost due to low competition in the primaries, potentially affecting their revenue opportunities.
  2. Entrepreneurs in niche media areas like news sites, podcasts, and newsletters are being sought for coverage and interviews by the newsletter author.
  3. Empowering Cloud, a media company focused on Microsoft cloud products, was founded by Tom Arbuthnot to educate audiences and provide content within a community platform.

Entrepreneurial Grift

Points And Figures • 506 implied HN points • 19 Feb 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Government Startup Ecosystem Tech
  1. Entrepreneurial grift involves people leveraging connections to obtain government funding through questionable means.
  2. Successful tech ecosystems like Silicon Valley thrive due to early risk-loving capital and mentorship, not government intervention.
  3. Building a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem requires genuine risk-taking, execution, and tangible results, not just social connections and titles.

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.

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.