The hottest Entrepreneurship Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Business Topics

China's Vanishing Wealth

Diane Francis • 519 implied HN points • 09 Mar 23
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Wealthy business leaders in China are disappearing or facing government crackdowns without clear reasons. This shows a shift towards increased government control in key industries.
  2. China's past economic growth relied on free enterprise, which helped lift millions out of poverty. Now, the current leadership seems to favor a more centralized, state-controlled economy.
  3. The government's actions against successful entrepreneurs send a warning to investors about the risks of doing business in China. Many are now hesitant to engage due to fears of losing their investments.

Teardown: How Linkby raised its $15M Series B in 90 days

Superfluid • 106 implied HN points • 06 Aug 25
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Preparing well before fundraising helps you make a strong pitch. It allows you to communicate your business's value clearly and confidently when talking to investors.
  2. Maintaining momentum during the fundraising process is crucial. Responding quickly to investor inquiries and scheduling meetings efficiently keeps the interest alive and increases your chances of success.
  3. Having a focused approach with targeted investor meetings creates pressure. This helps investors make decisions faster, which can lead to better outcomes for your fundraising efforts.

Saying yes to the shift

Mindset Mastery • 157 implied HN points • 08 Jan 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. The world is constantly changing, so we need to adapt and evolve our business strategies accordingly.
  2. Asking questions, being curious, and trying new things can lead to business growth and personal healing.
  3. 2024 calls for bravery, creativity, and adaptability in navigating changes in the economy and industries.

Spacetech Failures: Analyzing Major Industry Missteps and Lessons for Investors

Space Ambition • 259 implied HN points • 29 Sep 23
🕹 Technology Entrepreneurship
  1. The spacetech industry has seen many failures, like Iridium's bankruptcy and Falcon 1's launch issues, but these stories show how important it is to adapt and learn from mistakes.
  2. Space exploration is getting increasingly crowded and risky with satellite constellations like Starlink, which raises concerns about space debris and potential collisions in orbit.
  3. The integration of AI in space missions is still developing, and while AI can help reduce human errors, we need to carefully test and approve these systems for safe use in space.
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Velocity & Excellence

Venture Prose • 399 implied HN points • 02 Jan 23
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Optimism is important for entrepreneurs, but clarity of vision helps avoid delusion.
  2. Balancing learning from others with making unique decisions is key for success.
  3. Balancing velocity and excellence is crucial - don't be too fast or too slow, aim for a blend of speed and quality.

Zhang Lei - Lessons from a Legend

kalanis • 255 implied HN points • 09 Mar 23
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Zhang Lei's incredible success came from boldness, self-study, and willingness to exit comfort zones.
  2. Empathy and collaboration can help grow markets, showing value in delayed gratification over instant results.
  3. Investing in education and oneself produces the best compounding results, while tech changes need to narrow the knowledge gap and be an equalizer.

A Systematic Roadmap to Product/Market Fit

Running Lean Mastery • 255 implied HN points • 08 Jul 23
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Product/market fit is a significant milestone for startups and achieving it takes time and effort.
  2. By having the right mindset and processes, navigating the early stages of a product can be done systematically like finding your way through a maze.
  3. The Running Lean roadmap consists of three main stages - Business Model Design, Validation, and Growth - leading to product/market fit.

Marc Andreessen"You Can't Build A Successful Company Without Thinking On Idea Maze !"| VC Remote Jobs & More

Venture Curator • 199 implied HN points • 24 Nov 23
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Good startup ideas are well-developed, multi-year plans that consider various paths and changes in the market, known as the Idea Maze.
  2. The Idea Maze concept helps founders think strategically about their company's journey, by mapping out potential paths to success or failure.
  3. When navigating the Idea Maze, founders can gain insights from history, analogies, theories, and direct experience to make informed decisions.

June 2024 update

Opral (lix & inlang) • 19 implied HN points • 15 Jul 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. The company did not raise the seed funding they wanted, but they see this as a good opportunity to speed up their progress. They can now change their plans without depending on investor demands.
  2. By breaking away from git compatibility, they hope to reduce their requirements and reach monetization quicker in the future. This means their next funding round will need less money.
  3. At a recent conference, they got helpful feedback on how to pitch their product effectively. They learned not to compare their product to others to avoid confusion and that one specific term resonated well with their audience.

i've weaseled my way into a business camp for newsletter writers

Both Are True • 114 implied HN points • 24 Jul 25
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. A person feels nervous about attending a camp for newsletter writers. They worry about fitting in and if people will like them.
  2. They managed to get into the camp for free by offering to write about the event. This shows creativity and negotiation skills in pursuing opportunities.
  3. Despite their worries, they believe there's a lot to learn at the camp and are excited about making new connections in the newsletter world.

VCs Beyond The Meme

Investing 101 • 133 implied HN points • 28 Jun 25
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Understanding your 'why' is important for anyone starting in venture capital. It helps guide your actions and decisions in the industry.
  2. Building a strong network through existing relationships and new connections is key. Engage with people genuinely, listen to them, and focus on helping others.
  3. Having many conversations can create valuable connections. Even if not everyone you meet is a founder, the network you build is still beneficial and can lead to new opportunities.

*Pro-Market and Pro-Business*: The Sheldon Richman Conversation

Bet On It • 120 implied HN points • 18 Jul 25
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Sheldon Richman was once a left-libertarian but has changed his views over time. It's interesting to see how people's beliefs can evolve as they learn more.
  2. The conversation touches on important topics like markets, business, and capitalism. Understanding these ideas can help us navigate our economy better.
  3. The speaker has been critical of left-libertarianism for years but finds Sheldon’s change in perspective notable. It's important to stay open to new ideas and discussions.

The Corner Store vs The Wholesaler

The Data Jargon Newsletter • 59 implied HN points • 21 May 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. The corner store model focuses on personal relationships and tailored solutions, while the wholesaler model is more about scale and efficiency. It's important to know what type of service you need for your business.
  2. Consulting firms can operate like either a corner store or a wholesaler, but they can't do both well at the same time. Understanding which approach fits your needs can save you money and frustration.
  3. Often, businesses think they need the efficiency of a wholesaler, but what they really need is the personal touch and problem-solving skills of a corner store. A personalized approach can lead to better outcomes.

Predicting SaaS waves 🌊

The SaaS Baton • 137 implied HN points • 17 Jan 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Market timing is critical for SaaS success; observe new technologies, shifts in build vs buy mindset, new classes of workers, and distribution channels to catch the right market wave.
  2. Product-Market Fit (PMF) is gradual and multi-step; look for early signals like interest in identified problems, prototype feedback, and product usage.
  3. To build a viral social media presence for SaaS, focus on entertaining content, avoid vanity metrics, design shareable paths, trust creators, and don't obsess over tracking social metrics.

Clarity of Thought

Investing 101 • 156 implied HN points • 31 May 25
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Good founders have 'clarity of thought', which means they can explain their ideas clearly and logically. This helps others understand their vision and connects with the audience.
  2. Founders build a framework for their ideas that makes it easy for others to understand complex concepts. By using clear definitions and examples, they help people grasp their vision quickly.
  3. To make a strong pitch, founders need to present their main idea distinctly and also explain why it matters. They should avoid distractions and focus on what makes their idea important and valuable.

Understand Math Behind Secondary Sales, Measuring Startup Tractions, VC Daily Digest & More

Venture Curator • 239 implied HN points • 31 Jul 23
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Secondary sales involve shareholders selling shares to buyers, different from primary sales where new shares are issued.
  2. Understanding the math behind secondary sales helps grasp ownership changes and value fluctuations for founders and investors.
  3. Evaluation of startup traction can be challenging for VCs due to factors like new markets, inexperienced founders, and limited financial history.

Mercury's High Risk, High Rewards Strategy Runs Into Regulatory Reality

Fintech Business Weekly • 163 implied HN points • 25 May 25
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Mercury is trying a bold strategy by taking on risky clients, which can bring high rewards but also big challenges. They might face pushback from regulators because of this approach.
  2. The CEO of Mercury has personally asked for special permission to work with OnlyFans, showing their commitment to controversial business opportunities.
  3. Evolve's bank holding company seems to be in financial trouble, indicating that not all fintech companies are succeeding in this high-risk environment.

8 Signs Your Startup Is a Zombie and 3 Things to Do About It ! | VC Remote Jobs & More

Venture Curator • 159 implied HN points • 22 Dec 23
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Recognize the signs of a 'zombie' startup, like stagnant growth and constant need for funding, to avoid being unattractive to investors.
  2. Decide whether to accept failure, pivot the business model for exponential advantage, or explore opportunities for acquihire when a startup is struggling.
  3. Knowing when to quit or pivot is essential for startup success - sometimes failure can lead to growth opportunities or valuable lessons learned.

Why Most Startup Events Suck for Both Investors and Founders

ceonyc • 235 implied HN points • 05 Jun 23
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Organizers need to be intentional and curated in planning events to ensure value for everyone involved.
  2. Invite speakers with relevant experience and who are willing to provide honest and useful insights to the audience.
  3. Consider empathy towards attendees by managing event timings and providing opportunities for engagement without feeling trapped.

Everyone Should Start a Newsletter. Yes, That Means You!

Michael’s Newsletter • 235 implied HN points • 07 Mar 23
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Newsletters are better than software businesses in many ways, like being faster to write and cheaper to operate.
  2. Newsletters can be profitable, even surpassing million-dollar incomes, with examples like 'Pragmatic Engineer' making $2.7 million a year.
  3. To start a successful newsletter, focus on topics you can talk endlessly about, curate content, and answer people's questions for valuable content.

My Review of Daniel Vassallo’s Class "A Portfolio of Small Bets"

Michael’s Newsletter • 235 implied HN points • 14 Mar 23
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Daniel Vassallo promotes a 'portfolio approach' to entrepreneurship, suggesting small bets over going all-in on a startup.
  2. Taking smaller, manageable steps in projects can lead to eventual success, similar to leveling up in a video game.
  3. Joining a supportive community, like the one in Vassallo's class, can provide valuable networking and learning opportunities for entrepreneurs.

Building a portfolio of sides hustles

Kenny’s Sub • 99 implied HN points • 26 Feb 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Starting side hustles early can lead to multiple income streams. It helps not to rely on just one source of income, as different hustles can balance each other out.
  2. Focusing on personal passion instead of customer demands can reduce stress in side hustles. Enjoying what you do makes the work more fulfilling.
  3. Building relationships rather than just selling products can lead to more meaningful interactions and success. Providing value first can create loyal followers who appreciate your work.

The Otonomist - May 2023 Special Issue

The Otonomist • 439 implied HN points • 31 May 23
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. You can invest in Otonomos through the Funding Club on their online portal.
  2. By investing, you get exposure to a tech ecosystem without direct risk from individual ventures.
  3. Owning Otonomos Mirror Tokens gives you a stake in the special purpose LLC and guarantees equivalent dollar shares in Otonomos Holdings.

The New Fundraising Playbook: Seed-Strapping

Tanay’s Newsletter • 126 implied HN points • 01 Jul 25
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Seed-strapping is when a startup raises a small amount of money and then grows instead using its own revenue. This lets founders keep more control over their company.
  2. AI has made it easier for startups to succeed without needing lots of funding. Companies can now build products faster and sell them sooner, leading to quick profits.
  3. While seed-strapping offers benefits like less dilution and more financial discipline, it can also come with challenges like competition from better-funded startups and limitations on growth.

Diary Entry #1: Early Numbers

Shades of Greaves • 216 implied HN points • 20 Oct 23
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Social media followings are crucial for authors as publishers consider the 'platform' when deciding on book deals.
  2. Self-publishing a book involves challenging odds, as most books sell fewer than 300 copies in their lifetime.
  3. Tracking and analyzing book sales data is essential for authors in understanding promotional tactics' effectiveness and areas for improvement.

Welcome to my Substack!

The Uncommon Executive • 99 implied HN points • 22 Feb 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Yue Zhao is passionate about helping minorities succeed in the business world, as she believes the best opportunities are unfairly distributed to white men.
  2. Yue Zhao started her career in engineering, worked at prestigious companies like McKinsey, Thumbtack, and Instagram, and is now a venture partner at LifeX Ventures.
  3. Yue Zhao aims to use her Substack newsletter to share insights and advice to help minorities and women advance in their careers and personal lives.

It’s GPT-5 Day!

Alex's Personal Blog • 98 implied HN points • 07 Aug 25
🕹 Technology Entrepreneurship
  1. Smartsheet was recently sold for $8.4 billion, but its former CEO left the company shortly after due to changes that frustrated staff. This suggests challenges that can arise with private equity ownership.
  2. AI continues to grow, especially in coding, and companies see huge revenue potential in this area. Predictions about its rapid growth can sometimes sound unbelievable but may turn out to be true.
  3. The financial model for AI companies can look strange because they often spend a lot upfront on developing new models, but eventually, they can become profitable as they ramp up revenue from these models.

New Normal

Venture Prose • 219 implied HN points • 15 Oct 23
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Set higher business goals and aim to achieve positive yields from actions taken.
  2. Question industry norms and push yourself to exceed expectations, rather than just following what others have done before.
  3. Prioritize efficiency and financial independence in your business strategies, ensuring that actions are intentional with positive long-term impacts.

Where Do The Great Startup Ideas Come From - Stripe & Airbnb Case?| OpenAI Saga Explained | VC Remote Jobs & More

Venture Curator • 179 implied HN points • 21 Nov 23
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Startups like Airbnb, Coinbase, and Stripe succeeded by challenging existing players and aiming to do things 10 times better, turning competition into inspiration.
  2. Successful founders like those of Airbnb and Stripe ignored naysayers and pursued their wild ideas, pushing through doubt and expert skepticism.
  3. Timing, unique ideas, and unexpected market sizes played key roles in the success stories of startups like Airbnb, Stripe, and Coinbase, showing that unconventional approaches can lead to great outcomes.

My call with a YouTuber with 2 million subscribers | #34

The Pole • 199 implied HN points • 31 Oct 23
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Making money by selling to your audience is more lucrative than relying solely on ad revenue on YouTube
  2. Focusing on a specific niche makes marketing and positioning videos easier, but finding a balance is crucial to avoid burnout
  3. Understanding the value of your audience, such as their purchasing power, is essential for creating valuable content and solving pertinent problems