The hottest Entrepreneurship Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Business Topics

A Thankful Note

Interconnected • 231 implied HN points • 22 Nov 23
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. The author expresses gratitude for support from subscribers and readers.
  2. Thanksgiving holds personal significance for the author, combining birthday celebrations and favorite food.
  3. Energy and support from readers have fueled the author's entrepreneurial pursuits and encouraged growth.

An Interview With Or Weis

ciamweekly • 62 implied HN points • 03 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Entrepreneurship
  1. CIAM helps businesses balance security and user experience. If security is too tight, users get frustrated, while loose security can lead to risks.
  2. Without CIAM, companies waste time creating custom access control systems. CIAM makes it easier for developers to manage permissions, so they can focus on product development.
  3. The future of CIAM involves managing machine identities as much as human ones. As automation grows, businesses will need new methods to handle permissions for both types of users.

4 key metrics to track for solofounders

Tiny Empires • 85 implied HN points • 13 Nov 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Track your monthly net profit to see if your business is healthy. If profits drop for too long, figure out why.
  2. Know your Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR) to understand how stable your income is. This helps you plan for the future.
  3. Focus on a few key metrics for marketing and sales, like the cost per lead and conversion rates, to make better decisions. Don't get lost in too much data.

Day One : Learn How To Create Value and Earn From It.

Day One • 599 implied HN points • 02 May 20
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Learn how to create value and earn from it through productizing yourself and mastering monetization principles on online platforms.
  2. Focus on consistently earning income rather than saving as the key to building wealth.
  3. Consider joining community-driven programs like Day One that offer proven blueprints, skill acquisition guidance, and a supportive environment for personal and professional growth.
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Accounting for fortune

Probable Wisdom • 19 implied HN points • 11 Mar 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Don't underestimate the role of luck in success and failure. It's important to acknowledge its contribution.
  2. When studying success, account for chance and fortune to learn effectively. What worked for someone else may not work for you, and vice versa.
  3. To increase your chances of success, identify opportunities, develop an endurance strategy, understand your context, and create ways to generate opportunities.

The Deals That Change Your Life

Equal Ventures • 99 implied HN points • 19 Sep 22
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Focus on seeking out deals that can genuinely change your life, rather than getting caught up in every potential investment opportunity.
  2. Identify life-changing opportunities through exceptional founders, significant market potential, and passionately pursued theses.
  3. Invest time and effort in deeply understanding and cultivating potential life-changing deals, even if it means less deal flow and a more time-intensive process.

Building Codiga: Joining an Accelerator

Tech Ramblings • 59 implied HN points • 17 Aug 23
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Joining an accelerator can help you learn quickly and meet important people, but be ready to give up some ownership of your company. It's like a startup driving school to avoid crashing and get valuable lessons.
  2. While many resources are now available online for free, accelerators can still provide connections and credibility, especially for new entrepreneurs. Just remember, the support usually ends when the program does.
  3. Getting rejected from an accelerator isn’t the end; it doesn’t mean your idea is bad. Keep trying and consider other ways to grow your business—like bootstrapping or finding partners.

Codiga: How it Ended

Tech Ramblings • 39 implied HN points • 24 Nov 23
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. The author reflects on building Codiga, a small company that developed a code analysis product. Initially, they turned down an acquisition offer but later realized it was a good opportunity for both themselves and their team.
  2. Obsession and hard work are key traits for entrepreneurs. Being passionate about your product helps create something unique and successful.
  3. The journey of building a company can come with personal sacrifices. The author learned the importance of maintaining relationships and handling criticism, and ultimately feels proud of their accomplishments.

Quitting & Returning To Work (Guest Post by Tom Grundy)

Boundless by Paul Millerd • 89 implied HN points • 26 Oct 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Sometimes, taking a break from work can help you recharge and find clarity. It allows you to step back and see what you really want in life.
  2. Returning to the same job after a break doesn't mean you're going backwards. It can give you a fresh perspective and a healthier relationship with work.
  3. Your mindset about work is powerful. Changing how you look at your job can lead to more happiness and satisfaction, even without changing your role.

The Great Reset: From Startups to What's Next

European Straits • 60 implied HN points • 30 Jan 25
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Europe has struggled to create big tech companies like those in the US and China. It's due to issues like culture differences and less investment, which make it harder for companies to grow big.
  2. The US has certain advantages, such as a large market and easier access to funding, that help companies succeed. In Europe, money tends to be concentrated with a few wealthy families, making startups struggle.
  3. Even if startups seem to be fading, there's still a chance for new tech and ideas to emerge, especially with things like AI. Companies are likely to focus on efficiency rather than just rapid growth.

Why Is Africa Poor?

Journal of Free Black Thought • 59 implied HN points • 03 Feb 25
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Economic freedom is crucial for Africa's growth. When people can easily start businesses and trade, they can improve their lives and communities.
  2. Many African countries face heavy regulations that make it hard to start businesses. This creates barriers and leads to corruption, which makes economic freedom worse.
  3. Better trade connections and fewer rules can help Africa prosper. Countries like Mauritius show that when barriers are removed, economies can thrive and people can become wealthier.

5 famous company pivots.

Jon’s Newsletter • 159 implied HN points • 18 Sep 22
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Instagram started as a check-in app but became popular for sharing photos. This change led Facebook to buy it for $1 billion.
  2. YouTube began as a dating site where users uploaded videos about their ideal partners. It quickly turned into a video-sharing platform, and Google bought it for $1.65 billion.
  3. Slack's founders shifted from making online games to developing a communication tool. This pivot resulted in a $27.7 billion acquisition by Salesforce.

The Reading Unlock

SatPost by Trung Phan • 254 implied HN points • 23 Sep 23
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Entrepreneurs like Joe Coulombe, Jeff Bezos, and Elon Musk were inspired by reading single articles to start successful ventures.
  2. Reading diverse and random content can help build a unique insight stack when combined with other skills.
  3. Reading and continuous learning are crucial for developing insights that lead to successful ventures or investments.

IDEA - Crypto Tax Platform

Validated Ideas • 39 implied HN points • 14 Dec 23
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Consider building a Crypto Tax Platform as a business idea.
  2. Utilize existing APIs to create the product and target an underserved market.
  3. Focus on marketing strategies like Product Hunt, social media, content creation, and branding for successful launch.

2023 Reflections: New Additions, New Heights & Open Questions | #252

Boundless by Paul Millerd • 194 implied HN points • 06 Jan 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. 2023 was a year of new beginnings with the author becoming a dad and experiencing financial success through book sales.
  2. The joy of parenting and the challenges it brings highlighted the importance of staying present and enjoying family moments.
  3. Balancing work and personal life, finding time for self-care, and reflecting on unexpected successes were key themes for the author in 2023.

A New Year’s dialogue with... my AI coaching app

Building the Builders • 3 implied HN points • 31 Dec 25
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. A scarcity mindset—seeing time, opportunities, and energy as nonrenewable—undermines creativity, relationships, and risk-taking, while an abundance view treats resources as renewable and compounding and enables bolder moves in work, experiments, and family life.
  2. Slow-feedback projects and subtle social moments need intentionally built feedback loops to sustain momentum and confidence; simple habits like session-level notes, prompts, or visible reminders turn distant progress into immediate, learnable signals.
  3. Deliberate identity work helps you "remember what you know": study persistent builders, free-write without censoring, and act opposite scarcity-driven fears so repeated practice and risk-taking produce the evidence that cements an abundant, builder mindset.

the 5-step framework for making clear choices

Tiny Empires • 73 implied HN points • 20 Nov 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Establish foundation decisions that are your core rules. This means making important choices once so you don't have to think about them again.
  2. Create templates for regular decisions. These templates will make your choices easier by providing a simple 'if/then' format for common situations.
  3. Batch similar decisions together and set rules for major choices. This helps you make decisions more efficiently and avoid feeling overwhelmed.

How we built a business out of recession - chapter 52 - tick tock, one year and counting.

The ZIPster • 26 implied HN points • 27 Jun 25
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. CitNOW started from a small kitchen table and grew significantly over time, eventually selling for £30 million. It shows that with hard work and determination, big things can begin in small places.
  2. During the sale process, Tenzing had concerns about CitNOW’s growth potential, which led to a renegotiation of the sale price based on achievable sales targets. This illustrates the importance of clear, honest projections in business.
  3. The final sale agreement included a performance target that required the remaining team to prove they could generate more revenue. This highlights the necessity of aligning incentives to ensure everyone works towards the same goal.

Critics Of Capitalism Misunderstand Economic Success

QTR’s Fringe Finance • 25 implied HN points • 30 Jun 25
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Economic success reflects how well someone serves others, not just a personal gain. When people succeed in business, it usually means they are meeting needs in society.
  2. Critics often see successful entrepreneurs as oppressors, but this view misunderstands the nature of profit. Profit can actually indicate cooperation and mutual benefit, not exploitation.
  3. Admiring economic success can inspire others to improve and create value, instead of fostering a sense of victimhood or grievance. A culture that values hard work and success can lead to positive outcomes for everyone.

Start with why, end with wire fraud

Thoughts on Writing • 219 implied HN points • 24 Jan 22
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Dismantling the meme of Purpose is important for a happier society, but many see it as the solution rather than the problem.
  2. The story of Elizabeth Holmes and Theranos illustrates the dangers of noble cause corruption and deception under the guise of a grand purpose.
  3. Questioning the 'Why' in business narratives is crucial to prevent being swept along by sentiment and to promote accountability in actions.

💬 Dom Wells: Lessons on how to acquire a digital business

Concepts of Finance 🧠 • 59 implied HN points • 26 Jul 23
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. When buying a digital business, you need to be careful of scammers. Always verify financial information and ensure the business is truly what it claims to be.
  2. Focus on finding good businesses rather than thinking you can easily flip a struggling one. It's better to invest in a solid company with growth potential.
  3. Successful digital business owners are curious, adaptable, and able to learn on the job. It's important to be able to delegate tasks and stay committed to the process.

📥 On Learning, Growth and Earning: A Roundup of My Favourite Newsletters.

Day One • 119 implied HN points • 16 Jul 22
🕹 Technology Entrepreneurship
  1. Newspapers have a long history dating back to Venice in 1599, with printed newspapers circulating by 1609, mostly censored by governments.
  2. The Internet and social media have revolutionized publishing, making it easier for anyone to become a publisher and share diverse knowledge globally.
  3. Quality over quantity is essential in newsletters, focusing on valuable content and curating information from various sources.

How Kobe Bryant's $400 Million Investment Win Set The Standard For Athlete Investing

Huddle Up • 55 implied HN points • 27 Jan 25
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Kobe Bryant made a significant investment of $400 million, which shows how athletes can succeed financially after their sports careers. It highlights the importance of smart investing for athletes.
  2. Kobe's dedication and work ethic were key to his success, not just in sports but also in business. This shows that hard work can pay off in multiple fields.
  3. His achievements in investing have set a new standard for how other athletes think about their financial futures. Athletes today can learn from his example.

The Hagakure #85: In The Trenches

The Hagakure • 61 implied HN points • 28 Dec 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. The author recently took a new job as a startup CTO and is sharing his real experiences in this role. It's a change from coaching others to being hands-on again.
  2. He wants to provide honest insights about the challenges he faces instead of polished advice. It's about showing the true ups and downs of the job.
  3. The author invites readers to join him on this journey and share what they want to learn about being in a leadership position. It's a way to connect and engage with everyone interested.

How To Play the Creator Game | #240

Boundless by Paul Millerd • 223 implied HN points • 16 Sep 23
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. When navigating the creator world, don't blindly follow what others are doing - find your own unique approach.
  2. Be cautious of being influenced by trends or strong opinions, and instead focus on what truly aligns with your goals and capabilities.
  3. Success as a creator isn't about copying what works for others, but about staying true to your interests, finding your unique path, and not giving up.

First jobs of 11 successful entrepreneurs.

Jon’s Newsletter • 99 implied HN points • 15 Jan 23
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Many successful entrepreneurs started off doing simple jobs that taught them valuable lessons. For example, Jeff Bezos learned about customer service while working at McDonald's.
  2. Starting young helped these entrepreneurs understand the importance of hard work and finding opportunities. Richard Branson sold birds at 11 years old and learned about the challenges of running a business.
  3. First jobs can shape one's future career and mindset. Elon Musk worked as a boiler room cleaner, which taught him the value of hard work and persistence.

London, Google, & So Much More...

Notes in the Margins • 59 implied HN points • 05 May 23
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. The year 2023 brought significant changes to the author's life, including moving to London, starting a new job, and eventually leaving that job.
  2. Working at Google turned out to be a mismatch for the author, prompting her to focus on her coaching business instead of rushing into another job search.
  3. The author is now shifting her focus to growing her coaching business, expanding her online presence through Instagram and TikTok, and offering consultations to professionals.

The state of China's small and micro companies

Pekingnology • 52 implied HN points • 11 Feb 25
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Small and micro businesses are crucial for China's economy, providing services and jobs to many people. They help support bigger companies and industries in different areas.
  2. These businesses employ around 400 million people, making them essential for social stability. The livelihoods of many families depend on their success.
  3. Small and micro businesses face challenges like weak demand and high operating costs. They need better financial support and policies to thrive and stimulate the economy.

How we built a business out of recession - chapter 51 - the final hurrah

The ZIPster • 26 implied HN points • 20 Jun 25
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. CitNOW started from a small kitchen table business and grew into a successful company, eventually being sold to a private equity firm. This shows how businesses can thrive even in tough times.
  2. During the sale process, the founders were treated as outsiders, which created tension among the team. Good communication is key to maintaining relationships in business.
  3. When presenting to potential buyers, it’s important to focus on the future and not dwell on past issues. The right mindset can help create a positive atmosphere for everyone involved.

10 GTM Tactics You Can Steal for H2 2025

Startup Business Tips 🚀 • 21 implied HN points • 13 Jul 25
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Using customer success stories can help you close sales faster. Share case studies in your emails, ads, and social media to show potential clients how your product has helped others.
  2. Partner programs are a great way to expand your reach. Consider referral programs for both customers and partners to encourage them to spread the word about your product.
  3. Creating a content hub related to your competitors can attract potential customers. Use comparisons and alternatives to help guide people towards choosing your product.

Short story of how the first flights were made possible

First principles trivia • 19 implied HN points • 17 Feb 24
💾 History Entrepreneurship
  1. The Wright brothers funded their aviation experiments largely out of their own pocket, showing dedication and perseverance.
  2. Despite receiving offers for funding, the Wright brothers chose to maintain full control over their research, emphasizing the importance of independence and vision.
  3. Through meticulous work, including building their own wind tunnel and conducting extensive test flights, the Wright brothers achieved their goal of creating a successful airplane, highlighting the value of thoroughness and persistence.

"The next Silicon Valley" will be in Northern California

Alex Ghiculescu's Newsletter • 270 implied HN points • 07 May 23
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. The idea of creating the next Silicon Valley is popular but often misses the mark, leading to wasted efforts and resources.
  2. American university culture of studying away from home fosters entrepreneurship and collaboration, providing valuable lessons for business success.
  3. Silicon Valley's success was built on a focus on building great products and making money, rather than just creating jobs or regional innovation.