The hottest Entrepreneurship Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Business Topics

How To Start A Business With No Money

VERY GOOD PRODUCTIZED GUIDES • 339 implied HN points • 22 Jul 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Finding your unique skills and what people need can guide you to success. Ask yourself what you enjoy and what others are looking for.
  2. Starting with offering free services is a smart way to build trust and gain clients. It helps you showcase your skills and connect with potential customers.
  3. Visualizing your goals and where you want to be in the future can keep you motivated. Focus on what you can achieve step by step, rather than stressing about big leaps.

Founders Fund: The Disciples

The Generalist • 3102 implied HN points • 19 Jun 25
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Peter Thiel is great at spotting talent and built a strong team at Founders Fund, which helped them succeed in the venture capital world.
  2. Two important figures in Thiel's journey were Napoleon Ta, who made significant investments, and Lauren Gross, who helped manage the firm and scale its operations.
  3. Thiel's approach to nurturing talent is unique; he often supports and encourages people from his network to grow and succeed in their careers, sometimes launching their own ventures.

Why I've Joined Pattern Ventures as the Firm's Newest GP!

patternventures • 119 implied HN points • 17 Sep 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. The venture capital world is changing, with smaller emerging managers expected to yield better returns than larger, established firms. Smaller funds need less total value to achieve strong returns, making them more appealing.
  2. Finding the right emerging managers is really tough. Not all of them will succeed, so it's important to pick those with unique skills and a track record of success.
  3. Emerging VC firms now have a lot of opportunities, especially with many new operators starting their own funds. The early-stage landscape is hot right now, and there's excitement about investing in it.

The CTO’s Consulting Rate Calculator

The CTO Substack • 499 implied HN points • 29 Jun 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Determine your consulting rate based on client revenue and C-Suite salaries. This helps set a fair price for your services.
  2. Consider the complexity of the company and its engineering team size. A larger or more complicated organization may require a higher fee due to increased work.
  3. Always get paid before starting the work. This ensures that clients respect your time and commitment right from the beginning.

We need SpaceTech founders for customer interviews

Space Ambition • 299 implied HN points • 24 Jul 24
🕹 Technology Entrepreneurship
  1. Space Ambition is looking for founders in the SpaceTech field to join in customer interviews. This is a chance for them to share their challenges and needs.
  2. The interviews will last about 20-30 minutes and will help Space Ambition create new services tailored to these founders.
  3. Founders are encouraged to fill out a form to participate and to share this opportunity with other SpaceTech founders.
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Twitter becomes X

Platformer • 4638 implied HN points • 25 Jul 23
🕹 Technology Entrepreneurship
  1. Twitter has been rebranded to X by Elon Musk.
  2. Musk's takeover of Twitter is seen as cultural vandalism.
  3. The transformation of Twitter under Musk focuses on ideological shifts and redistribution.

How a local newsletter company is leveraging AI to cover hundreds of counties across the US

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 399 implied HN points • 12 Dec 25
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. 6AM City uses AI to launch newsletters in smaller cities without hiring editors right away. This approach helps them start at low cost and grow until they can add human editors later.
  2. Their newsletters focus on local news and community events, using a friendly tone and avoiding divisive topics. This strategy helps attract advertisers and maintain a loyal subscriber base.
  3. Instead of just relying on traditional reporting, 6AM City uses technology to gather and compress information from local sources. This allows them to produce accurate content quickly while keeping costs down.

Lessons from $1/day challenge

Kenny’s Sub • 299 implied HN points • 22 Jul 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Haggling often doesn't work well in the long run. It's better to stick to your price and negotiate on other terms if needed.
  2. $1 can feel expensive to some people. They may not see the value in what they are buying or find it too much effort for a small price.
  3. You need to have products ready to sell. Without anything to offer, it's tough to make money. Planning ahead is crucial.

Welcome to the age of Hard Tech

Taylor Lorenz's Newsletter • 2030 implied HN points • 04 Aug 25
🕹 Technology Entrepreneurship
  1. Silicon Valley is changing from a fun, liberal place to a more serious and right-leaning environment focused on defense tech and surveillance. People are less interested in making the world better and more into creating new tech.
  2. Tech jobs are different now; many companies aren't hiring as aggressively, and the workplace vibe is more about cutting down on excess than supporting employees. Knowledge of advanced tech like AI and neural networks has become essential.
  3. The culture in tech has evolved to include some unusual partnerships, like blending faith with business. There are rising interests in industries, like defense, that used to be seen as taboo in the tech community.

The Impact of Founder Personalities on Company Success

The VC Corner • 779 implied HN points • 25 May 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Founders' personalities really affect how they make decisions. For example, some might be more open to new ideas, helping them find creative solutions, while others may prefer detailed plans to avoid mistakes.
  2. Different types of founders work best together. Having a mix of personalities, like a 'Hipster, Hacker, and Hustler' trio, can boost a startup's chances of success.
  3. A diverse founding team is important. Each member brings unique strengths, which can help the company adapt and grow in challenging situations.

Matt Yglesias and the secret of blogging

Read Max • 2081 implied HN points • 23 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Entrepreneurship
  1. Regular posting is key for success in blogging. If you keep posting often, you'll likely attract more readers over time.
  2. There's not much risk in posting frequently, even if some people get upset. Most people quickly move on from any negative reactions.
  3. Instead of focusing on making every post perfect, just keep writing. The more you write, the better you become and the more chances you have to grow your audience.

The Gospel of Founders Fund

The Generalist • 2561 implied HN points • 26 Jun 25
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Founders Fund is more than just a venture capital firm; it aims to shape the future of Silicon Valley with its bold ideas and deep tech focus. It's stirring up conversations about innovation and national pride in investing.
  2. Peter Thiel, a key figure in the firm, is known for his contrarian thinking and unique insights. His willingness to challenge conventional ideas shapes the direction of tech investment and attracts unconventional founders.
  3. The firm has successfully invested in cryptocurrencies early on and has made strategic decisions to capitalize on market movements, showcasing its ability to blend analytical thinking with innovative opportunities.

My super simple task management hack

Tiny Empires • 98 implied HN points • 30 Jan 26
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Pick one clear big goal and use it as the filter for every task you consider.
  2. Each day choose exactly three meaningful tasks from your prioritized list and schedule them the night before or during a weekly planning session.
  3. Block out 1–3 hour calendar slots for those tasks, overestimate how long they’ll take, and treat them like real meetings to ensure focus and accountability.

How To Promote Your Service Business Online For Free

VERY GOOD PRODUCTIZED GUIDES • 239 implied HN points • 29 Jul 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Identify where your potential customers hang out online and focus your marketing efforts there. Using platforms like Email and LinkedIn can really help you connect with the right people.
  2. List your business on free directories to improve your visibility. Even just a couple of free listings can significantly boost your website traffic and bring in more potential clients.
  3. Create attractive offers to draw in new clients and build trust. Giving something away for free can spark interest and lead to potential future business deals.

Europe’s Great Founders Must Unretire

The Generalist • 2201 implied HN points • 10 Jul 25
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Many successful entrepreneurs in Europe tend to retire early, which limits their impact on innovation and growth. This is different from their American counterparts, who often continue building new ventures after achieving success.
  2. The cultural values in Europe encourage a more relaxed approach to work-life balance, which can lead to complacency among founders. This makes it less socially acceptable for them to continue pushing for new challenges and projects.
  3. For Europe to remain competitive in global technology, it needs its best founders to stay active in the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Encouraging these talented individuals to create and innovate is essential for the continent's future.

David Senra: Why Founders Rule The World

Danielle Newnham • 19 implied HN points • 14 Oct 24
🎙 Podcasts Entrepreneurship
  1. David Senra hosts a podcast that focuses on the lives and lessons of famous founders. Each episode dives into a biography and teaches valuable lessons from their journeys.
  2. David's childhood was tough, but he found inspiration in books. Those stories helped shape his dreams and aspirations.
  3. He believes that successful founders share traits like self-delusion and obsession, which help them pursue ambitious goals despite challenges.

Why your marketing isn't working

Kyle Poyar’s Growth Unhinged • 425 implied HN points • 07 Dec 25
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Marketing needs a balance between great content and effective distribution. If you're creating amazing material but no one sees it, then you have a distribution problem.
  2. Product-market fit is no longer a final goal; it’s more of a constant challenge. As customer expectations rise quickly, businesses must keep up or risk losing their fit.
  3. Understanding your target buyer is crucial for success in selling your business. Different buyers look for different qualities, like profitability or growth, so tailor your approach accordingly.

Why the founder of a popular cycling blog sold it and then left to launch a competitor

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 349 implied HN points • 05 Dec 25
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Wade Wallace started CyclingTips as a hobby while he was in Australia, and it grew into a successful news website. He focused on sharing stories and insights that people loved, even without formal journalism training.
  2. After selling CyclingTips and struggling with the changes from the new owners, Wallace launched Escape Collective, which relies on paid subscriptions instead of ads. This model aims to offer independent, quality journalism in cycling.
  3. Escape Collective focuses on building a community around cycling, encouraging members to contribute ideas and insights, and Wallace prefers a smaller, tightly-knit team over a large staff. He believes in the power of direct support from readers to create valuable content.

Warren Buffett, Charlie Munger and the Reading Unlock

SatPost by Trung Phan • 169 implied HN points • 16 Jan 26
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Consistent deep reading compounds into rare insights and gives a long-term advantage; even reading 50–100 pages a day can put you in the top tier.
  2. Reading alone isn’t enough — the real payoff comes when you combine reading with skills, experience, capital and networks so a single insight can be turned into a big business or investment.
  3. In a distracted world the bar to stand out is low, so protect focus (curate feeds, limit short-form apps) and keep digging—turn every page to find opportunities.

Your startup idea probably isn’t venture-scale

Lenny's Newsletter • 3537 implied HN points • 16 May 23
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Having a venture-scale startup idea involves aiming for $100 million annual revenue and $1 billion+ valuation in 10 years.
  2. Venture-scale investors look for a large market, a scalable business model, high growth potential, the ability to turn capital into growth, and a path to going public.
  3. Not all startup ideas need to be venture-scale; many ideas can still build a great revenue-generating business without the pressure and expectations of venture capital.

How to Value a Startup: Key Methods Every Investor and Founder Should Know

The VC Corner • 539 implied HN points • 01 Jun 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Valuing a startup is important but tricky since they often lack stable revenue. Founders and investors need to understand different methods to figure out a fair value.
  2. A successful valuation mixes both subjective and objective measures. This means looking at non-financial aspects like the team and market potential, as well as using data-driven methods.
  3. Two common methods for valuing startups are the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) Method and Comparable Analysis. Both have their own steps and challenges, but they help paint a complete picture of the startup's worth.

Why I Quit Full-Time Roles

Elena's Growth Scoop • 2712 implied HN points • 22 Nov 23
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. The author quit full-time roles due to personal losses and declining health.
  2. Traditional corporate ladder may not be the only option for those passionate about their work.
  3. The author found success in solopreneurship by structuring her work, taking interim roles, and creating alternative income streams.

Why I Gave Up Solo Freelancing And You Should Too.

VERY GOOD PRODUCTIZED GUIDES • 79 implied HN points • 26 Aug 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Freelancing offers flexibility, but it can also mean you have to work constantly, even when you're not feeling well. There can be no breaks without risking your income.
  2. Life changes can force you to reevaluate your work style, like having to care for a family member or dealing with personal health issues. It shows that relying solely on freelancing can lead to financial instability.
  3. Building a business that runs independently allows you to have more freedom. By outsourcing tasks, you can focus on what you love and still earn money, instead of trading your time for every dollar.

A New Way to Collaborate With Other Substack Newsletter Writers

Kristina God's Online Writing Club • 1638 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Collaborating with other newsletter writers can make the process more enjoyable and less lonely. It’s great to find support and connect with like-minded people.
  2. Using Substack’s recommendation features can help grow your subscriber base. Many writers have successfully gained subscribers through community recommendations.
  3. Letdir is a new directory for Substack writers that helps you discover and connect with others in your niche. It’s an easy way to find collaboration opportunities.

From 0 to 1,000 Subscribers with Free Recommendations

Kristina God's Online Writing Club • 1318 implied HN points • 07 Mar 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Recommendations are a great way to grow your subscriber base. Almost 28% of new subscribers can come from other newsletters suggesting your work.
  2. You don't need to spend money on ads to gain subscribers. Many writers have seen success by simply building relationships and getting recommendations for free.
  3. Substack’s recommendations engine is powerful and can help you increase your audience quickly. It works for new writers just as much as for those with a big following.

My Pitch Framework

Venture Prose • 1517 implied HN points • 18 Feb 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  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.

How to Value a Startup: Key Methods Every Investor and Founder Should Know

The VC Corner • 459 implied HN points • 11 Jun 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Valuing a startup is important but tricky because they often lack stable revenue. Founders and investors need to use different methods compared to established businesses.
  2. There are two parts to valuation: the 'art' involves looking at the startup's unique qualities like the team and product potential, while the 'science' uses data and metrics for a more objective view.
  3. A popular way to value startups is the Venture Capital Method, which focuses on future growth expectations. This helps investors estimate what a startup might be worth down the line.

From Zero to 3,600 Subscribers

Kristina God's Online Writing Club • 1678 implied HN points • 03 Feb 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Substack is great for starting and growing an email list without any upfront costs. You can begin your newsletter today and only pay a small fee if you earn money.
  2. You own your email list on Substack, meaning you can take it with you if you decide to leave. This gives you more control than relying on social media followers.
  3. Substack combines features of websites, blogs, and community platforms all in one place. It's designed to be user-friendly for beginners and offers a chance to monetize your writing easily.

I Hit 4,000 Subscribers and Now I Need Your Help

Kristina God's Online Writing Club • 1378 implied HN points • 23 Feb 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. The writer reached 4,000 subscribers in just 15 months, which is a big achievement for a newsletter. They did it without relying on friends and family for support.
  2. They are thankful for their readers, especially the paid subscribers, who help keep their content going. This support allows them to focus on creating quality material.
  3. The writer wants to know more about their audience's interests. They plan to use a new survey tool to ask readers directly what they would like to see in the future.

Những tượng đài đổi mới sáng tạo

Thái | Hacker | Kỹ sư tin tặc • 2296 implied HN points • 04 Dec 23
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Success in business comes from creating something people want and need, not just what looks good or follows trends.
  2. Focusing on serving customers and generating revenue is more important initially than fancy offices or elaborate company structures.
  3. Innovation thrives when failure is embraced, and simplicity is prioritized over elaborate ventures.

The media is pivoting to video again

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 299 implied HN points • 05 Dec 25
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Media companies are starting to use vertical video on their websites to compete with popular platforms like TikTok. This strategy might not work because they lack the powerful algorithms that keep users engaged.
  2. Many publishers are launching cooking apps to retain audience control as traffic shifts to big tech platforms. Dedicated apps can help convert casual users into loyal content consumers.
  3. Print books are still very popular despite the rise of ebooks and audiobooks. Many readers enjoy the physical experience of reading a print book, which keeps print formats thriving.

Calling All Future Newsletter Superstars From Europe (Especially Germany)

Kristina God's Online Writing Club • 839 implied HN points • 12 Apr 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. There are new features for Substack that help non-native writers, like setting a default language for their newsletters.
  2. German-speaking writers want to connect and collaborate more, and there's a new online space for this group to share and improve their skills together.
  3. It's important for writers to stay consistent and confident, even if they feel like no one is reading their work.

How to get to Product Market Fit: what it is, step by step guide and success cases like Notion, Canva and Stripe

The VC Corner • 659 implied HN points • 04 May 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Product Market Fit (PMF) means having a product that people really want or need. It's not just about making the product; you also have to learn how to sell it well.
  2. To achieve PMF, start by identifying a specific problem people face and create a strong solution. It’s important that the problem is significant enough for people to want to pay to solve it.
  3. Successful startups often follow a process to reach PMF, which includes finding a niche, validating pricing, and continuously improving the product based on customer feedback.

How to build the perfect pitch deck: a step by step guide with examples and an analysis of my Airbnb's deck

The VC Corner • 419 implied HN points • 08 Jun 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. A pitch deck is a short presentation that startup founders use to attract investors. It's essential to communicate your business idea clearly and make it appealing.
  2. Investors often have limited time to review pitch decks, so it's important to make your slides simple and direct. Help them easily understand your business and its value.
  3. Including a strong story in your pitch deck is crucial. Outline your business's problem, solution, and unique value in a way that resonates with investors.

What's really going on in software

Kyle Poyar’s Growth Unhinged • 489 implied HN points • 12 Nov 25
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Companies are seeing stability in key metrics like growth rates and revenue retention. New startups are achieving higher growth rates compared to previous years.
  2. It's important for companies to focus on the combination of customer acquisition costs and revenue retention to predict long-term success. This new matrix can help clarify business performance.
  3. AI is a major trend, but it's changing the industry landscape. Companies born after the rise of AI are experiencing much faster growth than traditional B2B software firms.

How a failed horror movie director co-founded one of the most popular yoga channels on YouTube

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 299 implied HN points • 01 Dec 25
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Chris Sharpe started out making low-budget horror films, but when the DVD market collapsed, he had to pivot his career. This led him to explore opportunities in online video, where he eventually found success on YouTube.
  2. He co-founded two popular YouTube channels, Hilah Cooking and Yoga With Adriene, by focusing on engaging content and a personal connection with viewers. His unique approach to SEO also helped attract a big audience.
  3. As Yoga With Adriene grew, Sharpe created a whole business around it, including subscription services and live events. He shifted from making indie films to running a successful media company that emphasizes community and wellness.

How to Break into VC🎓, Europe VC Dealmaking Funnel🔍, The Billionaire Battle For AI's Future⚔️

The VC Corner • 359 implied HN points • 16 Jun 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. To get into venture capital, you need to build connections and understand the industry well. Networking and learning from experiences are crucial steps.
  2. The European venture capital market has a specific deal-making process that can be different from other regions. Knowing this funnel can help you navigate opportunities better.
  3. There's a growing competition among billionaires for AI technology. Understanding this battle can give insights into where future investments might be directed.

Junk Bond Trader

Where's Your Ed At • 13056 implied HN points • 26 Oct 23
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  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.