The hottest Entrepreneurship Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Japan Reality Check #5: Are start-ups and VC a good investment in Japan?

Japan Optimist • 176 implied HN points • 25 Mar 23
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Japan's start-ups and venture capital outperform global peers with a 18% net IRR per year in the decade before COVID.
  2. Japan's venture capital ecosystem attracts top talent and continues to grow, showing a 7% outperformance over TOPIX.
  3. Japan's government actively supports entrepreneurship and innovation, aiming to create '100 Unicorns by 2027' through public-private partnerships and deregulation.

Haystack VII

Aashay's Newsletter • 176 implied HN points • 10 Sep 23
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Haystack announces a new $75M fund for early-stage startup investments
  2. Personnel updates at Haystack, with promotions and changes in roles
  3. Acknowledgment of founder secrets and partnerships in the venture business

Shrinking Hierarchy

David Friedman’s Substack • 224 implied HN points • 30 Jan 25
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Agoric institutions are where most people are self-employed and work together more like a community of entrepreneurs. This helps reduce reliance on traditional companies.
  2. Technological advancements are making it easier for individuals to create and share their work without the need for companies, like self-publishing or AI helping in content creation.
  3. As technology improves, it reduces costs and complexities of doing business. This means more people could work independently in the future, even if big companies still exist.

I was selected for a $100,000 O'Shaughnessy Ventures Fellowship to empower used bookstores with AI.

Castles in the Sky • 102 implied HN points • 20 Jun 25
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. A person received a $100,000 fellowship to create a tool for used bookstores using AI. This tool aims to help identify and preserve old and rare books.
  2. The project is inspired by a need to protect literary history and make it easier for bookstores to archive valuable books. The goal is to create a big database with details about every book.
  3. The project will also focus on building a community of people who care about preserving books, along with sharing related content through a blog and videos.
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From Zero to More Than 300 Paid Subscribers and Other Things You (Probably) Didn't Know About Substack

Kristina God's Online Writing Club • 339 implied HN points • 14 Feb 23
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. You can turn 5-10% of your free readers into paying subscribers. This means that if you have a loyal audience, many might support you financially.
  2. Substack is a user-friendly platform for starting a newsletter and building a community. It's designed to help creators easily make money from their writing.
  3. Substack is growing because it offers useful features like chat and private publishing. These tools help writers connect better with their audience.

The Game-Changing Clause Every Entrepreneur Should Add to Their Convertible Notes

Venture Curator • 219 implied HN points • 12 May 23
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Convertible notes with caps can have hidden risks for entrepreneurs, especially when the conversion price exceeds the cap.
  2. Adding a specific clause to convertible notes can protect entrepreneurs from potential unfavorable outcomes when converting to equity.
  3. Including a clause stating a non-participating liquidation preference in a convertible note can level the playing field and provide essential protection for entrepreneurs.

From Customer Success Leader to VP of Product

Suzan's Fieldnotes • 98 implied HN points • 15 Jan 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. María de Antón transitioned from Head of Customer Success to Product Manager by following her instincts and overcoming imposter syndrome.
  2. Transitioning from customer success to product management involved a shift from talking with customers to creating joyful product experiences.
  3. As a leader considering switching functions, trust your cross-functional skills, seek necessary training, and have confidence in yourself.

Testing Yourself

Points And Figures • 666 implied HN points • 27 Jan 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Trading in the pits required strong self-belief and comfort with risk
  2. Success in trading was highly psychological, combining self-confidence, quick decision-making, and adaptation
  3. Venture capitalists who take real risks and make markets are more likely to succeed

3 Tools That Help Me Make Money Blogging As A Busy Part-Time Creator

Kristina God's Online Writing Club • 319 implied HN points • 23 Feb 23
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Using a headline analyzer can help you create catchy titles. Catchy headlines make people want to click on your content.
  2. Podia is a useful platform for hosting online courses. It can help you earn money by sharing your skills with others.
  3. Gumroad allows you to offer free products while still making money. People can choose to pay what they think is fair, which can lead to unexpected earnings.

The Best Available Human Standard

One Useful Thing • 817 implied HN points • 22 Oct 23
🕹 Technology Entrepreneurship
  1. AI is widely accessible to various people around the world, regardless of their background.
  2. AI can be powerful in practical applications that are often overlooked.
  3. AI has limitations and risks that need to be taken into consideration, especially in fields like education, healthcare, and mental health.

How did I get on NBC Nightly News?

My Home Office Hacks • 10 implied HN points • 05 Jan 26
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Put yourself out there — small, simple actions like answering a survey can open unexpected doors.
  2. Say yes to media requests when you can; quick interviews or photos can lead to big exposure even if they don’t directly grow your business.
  3. Being willing to help and show up builds marketing karma and strengthens your personal brand, because people hire someone who reliably gets the job done.

Going cold turkey as a solopreneur

Kenny’s Sub • 79 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. There is a lot of misinformation in the creator economy, and it's important to recognize what is genuine versus what is just noise. It's easy to get caught up in trends that aren't based on real experience.
  2. As a solopreneur, you can choose to focus on what truly matters for your lifestyle, instead of just chasing profit. Finding a balance between work and personal life helps you enjoy what you do.
  3. Experimentation is key when building your business. Trying out different ideas helps you find what fits your values before committing to a specific path.

Can you conquer the world with your "faceless" brand? 🥷

Business & Marketing with Nika • 19 implied HN points • 23 Jun 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. You can succeed with a brand even if you are not famous. Many unknown brands can become popular with hard work and smart strategies.
  2. Having a product that solves a problem is very important. People value items that truly help them.
  3. Good storytelling and interesting branding can make a faceless brand more relatable. It's about connecting with people, even without a visible creator.

The Subtle Art of the Grind

Andriy’s Stack • 59 implied HN points • 10 Apr 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Building something new is hard and often lonely, but it's worth it for those who want to make a difference and support their families.
  2. It's important to find joy in the process of working on startups instead of just focusing on success or money.
  3. Connecting with others and sharing experiences makes the journey in the startup world more enjoyable and meaningful.

Everyone is above average

One Useful Thing • 858 implied HN points • 24 Sep 23
🕹 Technology Entrepreneurship
  1. AI can elevate skills of lower performers to above average levels in various fields.
  2. AI acts as a leveler, helping people in the bottom half of skill distribution excel with its assistance.
  3. The impact of AI on skills distribution is not entirely clear, and changes are happening rapidly.

Underdog Founders - Chris went all-in on digital content before we had smartphones.

ChatGPT4 as a CEO and Underdog Founders • 98 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Chris focused on creating really good content and allowed time to pass, which led to the growth of her digital startup.
  2. Chris redefined how communities connect through online-first media by following her gut and taking a patient approach to trends.
  3. Honeycombers expanded to different regions and launched new verticals, showcasing the financial viability of online content platforms.

The VC Corner 📰 #3

The VC Corner • 119 implied HN points • 08 Dec 23
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. The VC Corner is a weekly newsletter focusing on venture capital updates. It's designed for both experienced investors and those new to the field.
  2. The newsletter offers curated news and resources relevant to startups and investment. This can help readers stay informed on the latest trends in the industry.
  3. Readers can get started with a free trial to access past posts and insights. This is a great way to sample the content before committing.

The return of Office Hours

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 274 implied HN points • 11 Nov 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Office Hours were popular and let paid subscribers ask questions and share ideas with each other. Many enjoyed the experience of chatting, even more than hearing from guest speakers.
  2. The original format created a lot of pressure, making it hard to keep it going. The goal now is to make it more relaxed and simpler for everyone involved.
  3. The new plan is to hold Office Hours about twice a month, focusing on open discussions rather than just featured guests. This change aims to create a fun, networking-like atmosphere.

Restoring Japan’s Leadership In Innovation, Part II

Japan Economy Watch • 239 implied HN points • 20 Mar 23
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. International collaboration is crucial for innovation as it exposes firms to fresh ideas and different perspectives, contributing to better performance.
  2. Japanese scientists and companies exhibit low rates of international collaboration, hindering the quality and impact of their work.
  3. Japanese firms need to shift towards true open innovation by engaging in two-way collaboration for product and process development, requiring a shift in organizational processes and mindset.

Productivity boosters, 2x revenue, saying NO, engineering as marketing, writing 5 books.

Play Permissionless • 259 implied HN points • 07 Feb 23
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Finding a productive work environment with like-minded individuals can significantly boost productivity and focus.
  2. Saying no to certain business opportunities is crucial for maintaining quality and ensuring sustainable growth.
  3. Engaging in deep, long-form writing like book projects can lead to clearer thinking, coherence, and nuanced understanding, even with just a small daily time commitment.

NFTs and the Future of Subscription Businesses

DeFi Education • 459 implied HN points • 09 Dec 22
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Businesses like subscriptions because they provide steady income and build customer loyalty. This makes business planning easier.
  2. NFTs can change how subscriptions work by offering unique ownership and access. This could make subscriptions more attractive to consumers.
  3. Traditional views on NFTs and subscriptions might be missing the bigger picture. There are new opportunities to explore that could benefit both businesses and customers.

Spotlight: Raphael Roettgen - General Partner @ E2MC

Space Ambition • 59 implied HN points • 15 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Entrepreneurship
  1. E2MC is a global venture capital firm focusing on space technology. They invest around $500k in seed and pre-seed stages, and they're open to startups worldwide, except in geopolitically complex areas.
  2. Raphael Roettgen aims to engage more people in the space sector. He wrote a book explaining the space economy, making it easier for entrepreneurs and investors to understand and join the industry.
  3. He emphasizes the importance of diverse talent in space tech. E2MC has a higher percentage of female leaders in its portfolio than the industry average, and he encourages educational efforts to support women in STEM fields.

Do The Hard Parts First

The Breaking Point • 319 implied HN points • 16 May 23
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. When starting something new, focus on doing the hard parts first to ensure it's worth building.
  2. Consider starting by thinking backwards and tackling the highest risk parts first.
  3. Experiment with reaching your audience before building your product through methods like newsletters or events.

O1 Visa Hacks for founders

Extraordinary Aliens • 42 HN points • 19 Apr 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  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.

🚪Tool Directory acquired for 5-figures

No-Code Exits • 157 implied HN points • 16 Feb 23
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. No-Code OG Drew started No Code List with simple tools and grew it into an extensive directory.
  2. Using tools like Bildr helped Drew open doors to great opportunities in the No-Code space.
  3. Drew's experience with building and selling No Code List showcases the potential for growth and acquisition in the No-Code community.

10x and cheaper in an AI world

Sarah Tavel's Newsletter • 157 implied HN points • 22 Feb 23
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Creating a 10x better product should also focus on making it cheaper for consumers.
  2. A technology catalyst like AI can help recast cost structures and create new experiences.
  3. AI advancements could lead to deflationary pressures on various industries, paving the way for innovative startups.

Going fulltime on a Shopify SaaS Startup

No-Code Exits • 157 implied HN points • 13 Apr 23
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. The success story of James Devonport and Userloop, a Shopify SaaS startup, showcases the power of starting small and niching down on a specific platform.
  2. Implementing AI, like ChatGPT-4, can greatly enhance customer onboarding and retention strategies in a product.
  3. For No-Code makers, the key takeaway is to launch early, gather customer feedback, and iterate quickly to adapt to customer needs and achieve product-market fit.

🚪From idea to 5-figure exit in 4 months

No-Code Exits • 157 implied HN points • 27 Jul 23
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Paul Metcalfe successfully sold his product, Lettergrowth, in just 4 months after building it with no-code tools.
  2. He used a landing page, DMs, and a community to find users, and relied on sponsorships for revenue.
  3. The acquisition happened quickly via Telegram Chat, with the buyer seeing potential in the product for their own business.