The hottest Entrepreneurship Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Business Topics

Founders over fifty.

The Common Reader • 1842 implied HN points • 08 Feb 25
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Older founders often have more experience and valuable connections than younger ones. This helps them spot opportunities that others might miss.
  2. Studies show the average age of successful entrepreneurs is around 45. Older founders are more likely to make successful sales than younger founders.
  3. Experience from past failures can improve the chances of success in new ventures. Many middle-aged entrepreneurs have the financial stability to start their own businesses.

European Ambition

The Generalist • 2441 implied HN points • 12 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Entrepreneurship
  1. Europe has produced very few large tech companies compared to the US and China, highlighting a need for a cultural change that embraces ambition and big thinking.
  2. Regulations in Europe often make it harder for startups to thrive, contributing to a fear of failure that discourages entrepreneurs from pursuing bold ideas.
  3. To succeed, Europe needs to reshape its cultural mindset to celebrate ambition and big achievements, rather than adhering to norms that keep ambitions modest.

"I am rich and have no idea what to do with my life"

Erik Torenberg's Thoughts • 2108 implied HN points • 03 Jan 25
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Having a lot of money doesn't always bring happiness or purpose. It's common to feel lost even when you're financially secure.
  2. It’s important to confront your insecurities and challenges head-on. Personal growth often happens when we face difficult times.
  3. Learning for the sake of enjoyment, like studying physics, can be fulfilling. Sometimes, it's fine to not have a big plan and just focus on what makes you happy.

Paul Graham: Are You Building Fake Product-Market Fit ? | VC Remote Jobs & More

Venture Curator • 939 implied HN points • 02 Jan 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Product-market fit goes beyond building a product people like; it involves understanding the numbers behind it.
  2. Founders can fall into the trap of 'Fake Product-Market Fit' by focusing on the wrong signs like securing funding or excessive spending.
  3. To achieve genuine product-market fit, founders need to monitor metrics, control spending, and ensure a strong connection between the product and the market.
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Masterclass on Investing in SpaceTech Startups

Space Ambition • 219 implied HN points • 05 Jun 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. There is an online masterclass focusing on how to invest in Space Tech startups. It's a great opportunity to learn from experts in the field.
  2. The masterclass will feature an analysis of Bessemer Venture Partners' investment in Rocket Lab, which is a key example in SpaceTech investing.
  3. The sessions are free and available at two different times on June 15, making it easy for people to join.

Mistakes I’ve Made

Spilled Coffee • 80 implied HN points • 14 Jan 26
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. You learn by doing, not by waiting for perfection; mistakes are part of progress, so act, reflect, and iterate.
  2. In business and investing, focus on what actually moves the needle: find a clear niche, stop pouring money into ineffective ads, delegate to people who are stronger than you, let winners run but cut losers, and don't wait forever for a dip to buy.
  3. Live intentionally—stop worrying about what others think, avoid postponing the things that matter (costs rise and time disappears), build routines that bring joy, and use work to fund the life you want, not the other way around.

Nulla dies sine linea

Kenny’s Sub • 219 implied HN points • 05 Jun 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Setting smaller, more manageable tasks can help you feel more accomplished. It's better to focus on small wins than to aim for unrealistic goals.
  2. Feeling overwhelmed comes from thinking you need to achieve big things every day. Recognizing smaller steps can ease that pressure.
  3. Doing a little every day, even something small like updating a title, adds up over time and makes progress feel real. It's about consistency, not perfection.

The Crucial Role of Timing in Startup Success ⌛

The VC Corner • 279 implied HN points • 17 May 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Timing is really important for startup success. Investors often say it's a key reason startups succeed or fail.
  2. You should connect timing drivers to your business model. If your timing advantage doesn't improve your model, it might lead to wasting resources.
  3. Market size can change with timing. It's not just about current numbers, but understanding the shifts that can open new market opportunities.

How to Create a Strong Online Reputation for Your Business

Nail It and Scale It • 79 implied HN points • 29 Jul 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Having a strong Google My Business page is crucial. It helps people find your business and leaves a good first impression.
  2. Make sure to gather positive reviews on key sites like Glassdoor and Trustpilot. These reviews can really influence potential customers and new employees.
  3. Regularly check your online reputation and respond to any negative comments. Keeping an eye on your brand helps you maintain a good image and shows you care.

The first principle behind "first principles"

Building the Builders • 11 implied HN points • 25 Feb 26
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. First-principles thinking means digging down to the most fundamental truths of a problem and reasoning up from there. This uncovers causal forces and opportunities that surface-level assumptions miss.
  2. Ask basic, high-leverage questions about core needs or essential components instead of accepting proxies or industry norms. Those questions steer you toward different and often better solutions.
  3. Thinking from first principles is hard and risky and requires building your own observations and trusting your judgment. But it’s the path to original breakthroughs rather than just incremental tweaks.

The Best of Category Pirates 2023

Category Pirates • 845 implied HN points • 08 Jan 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Category Pirates focuses on creating and dominating new markets through radical ideas in mini-books.
  2. In 2023, they covered topics like category strategy, marketing, and personal category design.
  3. They plan to launch more educational content and courses, including a book on leveraging Creator Capital.

a16z Raises$7.2bn💵, Optimal VC Portfolio Construction🧮, AI Index🤖

The VC Corner • 359 implied HN points • 21 Apr 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. a16z raised $7.2 billion, showing strong interest in venture capital. This means more funding for startups and innovation.
  2. There's a focus on optimal portfolio construction for venture capitalists. This helps investors choose the best mix of companies to support.
  3. An AI Index is being discussed, which could track the progress and impact of artificial intelligence technologies. This will help keep everyone informed about AI trends.

PMF Score Vs NPS & Sequoia Capital's Runway Reality Check for Founders | VC Jobs

Venture Curator • 259 implied HN points • 17 May 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. PMF score measures how well your product meets users' needs by asking how disappointed users would be without it.
  2. NPS measures customer loyalty by asking how likely they are to recommend the product.
  3. Using clear opinions to make decisions, splitting equity equally among co-founders, and recognizing signs of a 'zombie' startup can lead to success in the VC world.

Why BroBible's staff bought the website back from the media company that had acquired it

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 124 implied HN points • 08 Dec 25
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. BroBible's team bought the site back from a media company because they felt it was being neglected and they wanted to regain their creative freedom. They believed they could adapt better to the media landscape as an independent business.
  2. Since becoming independent, BroBible has grown in staff and diversified its revenue through programmatic advertising, events, and social media content. This has allowed them to reconnect with their audience and produce engaging content.
  3. The focus now is on fast and impactful cultural reporting, with plans for more on-the-ground coverage. BroBible aims to capture immediate moments and trends, keeping their brand relevant and connected to their readers.

#1 I started a new project

Nittarab’s Substack • 59 implied HN points • 06 Aug 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. The author is beginning a new project and wants to share the journey publicly. This approach helps them learn and receive feedback from others.
  2. They aim to create an all-in-one platform for freelancers to manage their online businesses easily, addressing gaps in existing solutions.
  3. The author emphasizes the importance of enjoying the project and views it as a way to bring new energy into their life without making radical changes.

DeepSeek's Secret to Success

ChinaTalk • 1615 implied HN points • 30 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Entrepreneurship
  1. DeepSeek's success is due to its flat management style, which allows employees more freedom and collaboration compared to the typical rigid structure of Chinese tech firms. This supportive culture fosters creativity and innovation.
  2. Unlike many tech companies in China, DeepSeek was not funded by the government or large corporations. It was self-funded by a former hedge fund manager, allowing it to operate independently and avoid typical pressures.
  3. DeepSeek's hiring approach focuses on young talent, valuing passion and fresh ideas over years of experience. This strategy has helped the company innovate rapidly and challenge larger competitors.

Delusions of grandeur

Kenny’s Sub • 239 implied HN points • 21 May 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Having big ideas can be exciting, but it's important to ground them in reality. You might be really enthusiastic about your dreams, but they need to be achievable in the real world.
  2. It's easy to get caught up in the excitement and ignore warnings. Just because something feels good doesn't mean it will be successful.
  3. Learning from failure is okay. Taking risks and experiencing disappointment can teach you valuable lessons for the future.

Podcast notes

Off to Lunch • 648 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  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.

From 0 SEO experience to an agency

Kenny’s Sub • 179 implied HN points • 11 Jun 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. To succeed, it's important to go all out and fully engage in your work. Learning from past experiences and caring about people can make business more enjoyable and rewarding.
  2. Staying committed to your daily routines helps maintain momentum. Missing a day is okay, but try not to miss two in a row to keep moving forward.
  3. Effective communication is key, especially in sales. By planning questions and being genuinely curious, you can connect better with people and help them achieve their goals.

The corporate solopreneur

Kenny’s Sub • 159 implied HN points • 18 Jun 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. It's important to understand the context of your clients' businesses. Many small businesses don't have complex plans like big corporations do.
  2. Asking detailed project questions can be unhelpful when working with smaller clients. They may only need basic support for their immediate needs.
  3. Using the right tools for each specific job is crucial. If your current skills don’t fit, it's okay to seek help or adapt your approach.

How To Earn From Your Skills In 2024

Day One • 519 implied HN points • 02 Mar 24
💼 Business 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.

There's no such thing as f– you money

The Rubesletter by Matt Ruby (of Vooza) | Sent every Tuesday • 1639 implied HN points • 16 Jan 25
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Wealth doesn't guarantee freedom. Even billionaires serve someone and often compromise their principles.
  2. Charisma and social influence can be more powerful than money. Being likable and persuasive can get people further in many situations.
  3. Cultural power matters more than financial power. Those with money often want to control how they're perceived and fear being ridiculed.

Why I don’t believe in Google Zero

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 523 implied HN points • 01 Aug 25
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. AI summaries might not hurt content creators in the long run. People still want in-depth articles and original thoughts, not just quick answers.
  2. Emma Tucker is doing a great job as the editor of the Wall Street Journal, focusing on longform storytelling, which shows that engaging content can help grow a media brand.
  3. HGTV is losing viewers to cheaper DIY content on platforms like YouTube. The Creator Economy is changing how media is made and consumed, making it tough for big networks to keep up.

[Launch] I wrote a book on Growth Marketing

Channels of Growth • 687 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. The book 'Channels of Growth' focuses on a Growth Marketing Framework for dominating channels and building better products.
  2. All users come from channels when it comes to growth, emphasizing the importance of understanding and optimizing these channels.
  3. The book aims to provide a personal Growth Marketing framework based on lessons from over $100M+ spent on growing products.

WeWork and the temporary end of history

Trevor Klee’s Newsletter • 597 implied HN points • 20 Jul 25
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. The idea of 'the end of history' might have happened locally around 2010 in America, where everything felt settled, but it really restarted with COVID-19 in 2020. It showed that the future can change quickly.
  2. WeWork's rise and fall highlights how businesses can lose track of financial discipline, particularly when money is being spent on excessive perks and rapid expansion. This can lead to a dramatic failure, even for perceived successful companies.
  3. During the 2010s, many people believed everything would just keep getting better and more convenient, but recent events revealed new challenges. Now, we have to rethink what really matters and build a future that addresses more pressing problems.

The independent landscape

Kenny’s Sub • 119 implied HN points • 02 Jul 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Making money independently is tough, and there's no one clear way to do it. Each person has to try different methods and find what works for them.
  2. Starting with client work is often easier than jumping straight into creating products. It allows for earning money quickly while learning about business.
  3. Whether you choose to work alone or start an agency, finding balance is key. You need to manage time, energy, and ensure your projects get the attention they need.

Poppi slapped with lawsuit

Snaxshot • 259 implied HN points • 31 May 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Curation as salvation: It's important to curate content in a world filled with overwhelming choices.
  2. Discovery is strength: Curating content can help brands connect with desired audiences and opportunities.
  3. Excess is death: Avoiding information overload through curated, ephemeral content can be beneficial.

“Sniper investor” Allen Zhu is slowing his investment pace, focusing on in-depth project research

Ginger River Review • 707 implied HN points • 10 Jan 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Investor Allen Zhu is reducing his investment speed to focus on thorough project research, showing a change in Chinese investors' priorities.
  2. Investors who rushed into Large Language Models (LLMs) in 2023 faced losses, signaling a shift in focus to vertical market segments.
  3. Zhu emphasizes the importance of discipline in investment decisions, with a focus on profitability and slower, more thoughtful investment strategies in 2023.

What price are you willing to pay?

Kenny’s Sub • 239 implied HN points • 13 May 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Understanding the effort needed for success can help you avoid disappointment. It's important to know what you're getting into before committing to a new venture.
  2. Trial and error are essential when exploring new hobbies or career paths. Try different things with low commitment to see what fits you best.
  3. Pursuing your goals requires a realistic view of the effort and resources involved. Being aware of what it takes can help you make smarter decisions.

My new book “Cyber for Builders" is now available on Amazon

Venture in Security • 707 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. The book 'Cyber for Builders' is a comprehensive guide for building a cybersecurity startup.
  2. The book covers various aspects of cybersecurity industry including key players, trends, and essential insights for early-stage founders.
  3. The book has received praise from industry experts for its practical advice and guidance for navigating the complexities of building a cybersecurity company.

In PR or Marketing? Join me this week in SF

Startup Strategies • 128 implied HN points • 02 Dec 25
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. There's a panel at the PR Summit in San Francisco on December 3–4 focused on capital, communications, and AI.
  2. You can get a free ticket using the promo code VKG9HE.
  3. Founders, investors, communications leaders, and PR professionals will attend to discuss the future of influence, making it a useful networking and learning opportunity.

On Wise Agency, Part 3 | #317

Boundless by Paul Millerd • 112 implied HN points • 09 Dec 25
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Figure out what to work on by running lots of small experiments: ship quickly, design an easy off-ramp to quit, and learn what each experiment tells you.
  2. Don't just copy a niche — find a mode you can sustain for years that fits how you like to work. That lets you evolve your own style and choose projects you actually enjoy.
  3. Be deliberate about how much and when you work by mixing small bets, sprints, and long-game projects, and accept the trade-offs between autonomy, methods, and income by rotating priorities across gigs and seasons.

💡Explain benefits on sign up page

First 1000 • 1159 implied HN points • 18 Apr 23
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Boost registrations by clearly articulating product benefits on the sign-up page.
  2. Experiment different approaches like highlighting product benefits or adding free basic account benefits to improve conversion rates.
  3. Engage in A/B tests to find the most effective way to explain benefits on your sign-up page.

Don't Give Up

Venture Prose • 459 implied HN points • 04 Mar 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  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.

Founder Market Fit : An Unsuccessful Video Game Turned Into a $26 Billion Startup. | VC Jobs

Venture Curator • 279 implied HN points • 26 Apr 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Founders with deep understanding and passion for a market they know well can achieve success like turning an unsuccessful idea into a billion-dollar startup.
  2. Building a product that solves a real problem, utilizing product-led growth, freemium model, strong focus on retention, and creating a unique brand can lead to rapid growth and success.
  3. Investors prioritize market opportunity over market size, seeking startups that challenge conventions, address future needs, and have strategies for customer acquisition and profitability.