The hottest Entrepreneurship Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Business Topics

VCs are the worst run businesses … they never take their own advice

Five Links (and three graphs) by Auren Hoffman • 446 implied HN points • 29 Jun 25
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Venture capitalists often advise startups on management practices but don’t follow those rules themselves. For example, they say to have one CEO, yet their firms have multiple leaders.
  2. They encourage startups to go public and accept dilution, but many VCs avoid doing the same for themselves. They often take large salaries instead of low ones.
  3. While VCs tell founders to keep costs low and manage wisely, some of them spend on lavish expenses like private jets and high-end meals, showing a disconnect between their advice and actions.

Inside Red Bull: The Private Playbook That Built A Global Powerhouse

Huddle Up • 43 implied HN points • 09 Jan 26
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Red Bull began when its founder discovered a Thai energy drink and struck a deal to adapt and sell it globally, with each partner investing $500,000 to launch the company.
  2. The business was built on strict financial conservatism — no debt, self-funded growth, and all expansion paid from profits rather than borrowed money.
  3. Leadership and control were tightly held and private: the founder gave very few interviews, and the original 49/49/2 ownership split kept decision-making concentrated and the Thai family with the decisive share.

The Difference Makers: Key Person(s) Value!

Musings on Markets • 579 implied HN points • 10 Dec 23
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Key people can significantly impact a business's value, whether it's a small practice like a doctor or a large company like Tesla. Even at bigger companies, certain individuals can make a big difference in how the business performs.
  2. Understanding who key people are in a company is crucial. These can include founders, top management, or even important employees at different levels who contribute unique skills.
  3. Companies can take steps to manage the risks that come with relying on key people, like using insurance or succession planning. These strategies can help ensure that the loss of an important individual does not as heavily affect the business.
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How Silicon Valley got rich

The Novelleist • 521 implied HN points • 28 May 25
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. The rise of Silicon Valley demonstrated how entrepreneurship and venture capital can change the economy. A group of engineers creating a new tech company set the stage for tech innovation and entrepreneurship in the region.
  2. Employee equity programs allowed many workers to gain a stake in the companies they helped build, leading to wealth creation among employees. However, there is a growing inequality, where top executives earn much more than regular workers.
  3. For a fairer economy, we need to increase employee ownership in companies. This could help reduce wealth inequality and provide more opportunities for workers to benefit from their contributions.

TBM 339: Update and Clarifications

The Beautiful Mess • 978 implied HN points • 09 Feb 25
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. This newsletter is independent of the author's employer, Dotwork, and he writes what he chooses without being paid for it.
  2. Dotwork is a startup that creates tools for product strategy and development, allowing teams to customize their work tools to fit their needs.
  3. The author enjoys sharing what he learns each week and believes in giving valuable content for free, trusting that good things will come back in the future.

6 lessons from Y-Combinator, 10 years later

Pratap’s Substack • 317 implied HN points • 26 Mar 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Speed is important. It's better to launch something quickly, even if it has some flaws, than to wait for everything to be perfect.
  2. Don't always trust the experts. Sometimes, it's better to have fresh perspectives, and young talent can surprise you with their creativity.
  3. Talking to users is crucial. Getting direct feedback and engaging with them in person helps to really understand their needs and build a stronger product.

3 Essentials That Will 2x Your Landing Page Conversion Rate

Nail It and Scale It • 59 implied HN points • 15 Jul 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Make sure your landing page clearly explains what you're offering right away. If visitors can't understand it quickly, they're likely to leave.
  2. Build trust by showing strong brands you've worked with, sharing positive customer reviews, or highlighting any expert endorsements. This makes visitors feel more secure about their decision.
  3. Keep the action simple. Have one clear button for what you want visitors to do, and ensure the page loads quickly without distractions. The easier it is, the more likely they will take action.

Is now really the right time to start?

Kenny’s Sub • 199 implied HN points • 22 Apr 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. It's a good idea to start projects now, even if it's small. This allows for progress to begin and builds momentum over time.
  2. Starting small can lead to important gains. Just like planting a fruit tree, the benefits will come later if you start today rather than waiting.
  3. Taking small actions today can help reduce stress in the future. Even simple tasks, like planning or writing a title, can make a difference.

How to Talk About Valuation Numbers When Investor Ask? | VC Remote Jobs & More

Venture Curator • 479 implied HN points • 04 Jan 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. When discussing valuation with investors, it's important to provide general ranges without giving a specific price to anchor their expectations.
  2. VCs may ask about your past funding to assess fit and potential valuation issues, so it's beneficial to be transparent about your previous funding details.
  3. A delicate balance is required when discussing existing investors participating in a new round to ensure harmony between new and existing investors.

The Ethics of Business with Niklas Anziger

Bet On It • 35 implied HN points • 14 Jan 26
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Niklas Anziger discusses the ethics of business and how moral questions affect real-world commercial choices.
  2. The conversation emphasizes a pro-market, pro-business perspective, arguing that freer markets can lead to better outcomes.
  3. Prospera is used as a real-world example of experimenting with freer markets to illustrate how ethical business practices play out.

How I Became a Venture Capitalist

The New Internet by Jeff Morris Jr. • 14 implied HN points • 12 Feb 26
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. You can move from operator to VC by building a public, trackable investing record and a clear thesis—start small with SPVs or angel checks and share your work openly.
  2. Traditional scout programs are broken: access is closed to insiders, scout performance is hidden, and the programs mainly create leverage for firms rather than career paths for scouts.
  3. A new season-based Scout Program aims to democratize access by letting anyone apply, giving each selected scout $100K, public profiles and leaderboards, and mentorship to help scouts build real track records and potentially raise funds.

The Oddest Man Out Among Our $Hundred-Billionaires: Elon Musk

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 492 implied HN points • 04 Jun 25
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Elon Musk's wealth, largely tied to Tesla, is facing challenges as the company’s profit growth may not continue. The recent surge in Tesla's sales was helped by market conditions and celebrity status, but that charm seems to be fading.
  2. Many billionaires, especially those in tech, have consistent income from their businesses. In contrast, Musk's financial future looks uncertain as competition in the electric vehicle market increases and his brand image shifts.
  3. The reasons people used to buy Teslas included its innovation and eco-friendliness. Now, with Musk's controversial actions, many of those who once supported the brand are distancing themselves, which could hurt Tesla's future sales.

Quitting freelancing to build products

Kenny’s Sub • 239 implied HN points • 01 Apr 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Freelancing can consume a lot of time and energy, making it hard to work on personal projects. Focusing entirely on building your own products might be a better choice for growth.
  2. Getting paid as a freelancer can be tricky and often requires chasing clients. Having good platforms can help with payment security and reduce the hassle.
  3. When developing products, it's important to try out various ideas. Finding what works best often means experimenting and adjusting based on feedback and demand.

Teleocracy & Prestige

Becoming Noble • 757 implied HN points • 30 Jun 23
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Organizations like big tech companies have a unique capability to help young men reach their full professional potential through exposure to elite performers and a culture of audacious projects.
  2. To attract young elite talent and transform them, alternative structures need to offer opportunities for prestige, independence, wealth, and growth, emphasizing mission, service, transformation, and recognition.
  3. Building attractive spaces for elite talent involves strategic embedding of factors like perceived external prestige (PEP) in organizations by leveraging unique strengths, to compete with elite liberal institutions.

The House of Huawei

ChinaTalk • 444 implied HN points • 17 Jun 25
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Ren Zhengfei, the founder of Huawei, grew up facing hardship during the Cultural Revolution but turned this struggle into his motivation for success. His challenging past helped him build a strong company culture focused on hard work and resilience.
  2. Huawei has grown by exploring high-risk international markets where other companies hesitated, such as Libya and Iraq. This strategic risk-taking allowed Huawei to create valuable global partnerships and expand its business.
  3. The company has faced significant scrutiny from the West, particularly the United States, over security concerns related to its technology. However, Huawei has continued to thrive by emphasizing its importance to China's tech development and fostering a unique corporate culture.

DOGE In the States

Points And Figures • 879 implied HN points • 18 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Entrepreneurship
  1. Many government programs aiming to help entrepreneurs are seen as wasteful and do not deliver real results. It's often just a way to create jobs for government employees.
  2. Entrepreneurial ecosystems work best when driven by the private sector rather than government involvement. Government interference tends to complicate matters and can limit growth.
  3. Accountability in the private sector is focused on solving customer problems efficiently, while government often prioritizes expanding control and influence, resulting in wasted resources.

Why Longer (Content) Isn’t Always Better

Kristina God's Online Writing Club • 739 implied HN points • 15 Sep 23
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Short content can be more powerful than long content. It grabs attention quickly and gets straight to the point.
  2. Consistency in creating short content can build a strong following. Regular updates keep readers engaged and coming back for more.
  3. Longer content isn't always necessary to convey a message. Sometimes, less is more, and being concise can be more effective.

I Am Building an AI-Powered Reverse Incubator

Let's talk games & AI. • 21 implied HN points • 04 Feb 26
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Build-to-handoff reverse incubator: systematically create startups to about $500K ARR, then recruit a founding team to raise and scale so building becomes a repeatable factory, not a lottery.
  2. AI and repeatable tools speed solo building: AI plus processes and tooling are used to move fast — release, measure, kill — so one person can validate many ideas quickly.
  3. Transparency and open questions remain: the plan is to publish real numbers and learn in public, while still solving hard problems like kill criteria, finding handoff teams, and whether one playbook fits all business types.

What Is A Productized Service

VERY GOOD PRODUCTIZED GUIDES • 99 implied HN points • 12 Jun 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Productized services offer a way to package and standardize services, making them easier to sell and manage. Instead of customizing everything for each client, providers can offer fixed services at set prices.
  2. By defining specific services and hiring skilled professionals, businesses can scale their operations. This means they can serve more clients without overwhelming themselves.
  3. Selling productized services can lead to more consistent income through subscriptions or recurring payments. It's a simpler approach that can work for freelancers as well as larger companies.

An Exit

Points And Figures • 1012 implied HN points • 10 Jan 25
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Investing in entrepreneurs you believe in can be more important than the product itself. Finding a passionate leader can make all the difference.
  2. Solving personal problems often leads to stronger businesses. When entrepreneurs face their own challenges, their passion and commitment to the solution grow.
  3. Being smart with financing is key for business success. Using venture debt wisely can help a company grow without giving up too much ownership.

User Research Guide For Founders, Part 1: Getting Started

Elizabeth Laraki • 179 implied HN points • 25 Apr 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Set clear and specific research goals to know exactly what you want to learn from users.
  2. Choose the right research method, like interviews or usability studies, based on whether you need feedback on a concept or an existing product.
  3. Turn your research goals into specific questions that are easy for people to answer, making it easier to gather useful information.

Should journalists view newsroom buyouts as seed funding?

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 324 implied HN points • 25 Jul 25
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Journalists may see newsroom buyouts as a chance to start their own media projects. Instead of just looking for another job, they could use the buyout money to fund something new.
  2. Newsweek is struggling with its subscription plan due to poor content choices and heavy ads. It's a good example of what not to do if you want to build a successful paywall.
  3. Local newspapers owned by Advance Local are thriving online by separating their digital and print brands. They focus on smart choices about which print papers to keep operating.

The Power of Outcomes

Category Pirates • 707 implied HN points • 09 Oct 23
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. As Category Designers, we get paid for outcomes, not for doing a 'good job.'
  2. Understand the power of the outcomes you have delivered in your career to realize your unique Category Superpower.
  3. Leverage outcomes for personal and professional agency to communicate your value effectively and be paid what you're worth.

Sensefully Selling Coffee

thestoa • 393 implied HN points • 21 Jan 24
🍲 Food & Drink Entrepreneurship
  1. Creating with a partner can bring about uncertainty but also deeper relational layers.
  2. The concept of a 'source role' in creative projects can lead to clarity and prevent conflicts.
  3. Focusing on the vibes and aesthetics of a product can guide business decisions and create a unique selling experience.

Stop Building Startups. Start Consulting Instead.

Michael’s Newsletter • 707 implied HN points • 28 Mar 23
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Consider starting a consultancy business instead of a startup as it is more manageable and helps avoid common mistakes.
  2. Consulting allows you to solve real problems, start faster, and serves as a stepping stone to product development.
  3. Leverage your existing network for consulting opportunities, including past clients, recruiters, and real-life communities.

Are You Working On A 'Tarpit Idea?' | VC Jobs

Venture Curator • 219 implied HN points • 02 Apr 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Tarpit ideas can be deceivingly appealing at first but end up draining time and resources.
  2. Consumer ideas are common tarpit ideas due to the high bar set by successful consumer products and the crucial factor of timing.
  3. Recognizing and avoiding tarpit ideas, such as those with survivor bias or difficulty in scaling, is vital for a startup's success and founders should pivot strategically based on supply and demand dynamics.

Econvue Podcast on My Book And Other Japan-Related Topics

Japan Economy Watch • 179 implied HN points • 22 Apr 24
🎙 Podcasts Entrepreneurship
  1. The podcast discusses the author's interest in Japan, the reasons behind writing the book, and the experience of writing it, along with gratifying responses from Japanese and foreigners.
  2. Main messages from the book highlight the need for entrepreneurship in Japan's economic recovery and the potential for reform due to social and technological changes.
  3. The podcast covers various topics such as defense spending's impact on innovation, Japan's shortage of digital professionals, and the message to younger Japanese about creating societal change.

Delusion

Venture Prose • 698 implied HN points • 30 Jul 23
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Self-awareness is crucial to avoid delusion. Recognize your failures, flaws, and biases to make better decisions.
  2. Surround yourself with the right people who can provide constructive criticism. Be open to inner and outer conflicts to improve.
  3. Ask for clear feedback and address concerns about your business. Work towards understanding and extracting value from others' perspectives.

The sordid tale of a Victorian beauty guru

Random Minds by Katherine Brodsky • 93 implied HN points • 26 Nov 25
🪞 Fashion & Beauty Entrepreneurship
  1. Madame Rachel was a famous beauty con artist in the Victorian era, offering women dangerous beauty treatments that promised to enhance their looks.
  2. She created a lavish image for her beauty business, which made her clients believe they were getting special, luxurious treatments.
  3. Madame Rachel's methods included blackmailing clients with their secrets, showing how the beauty industry exploits insecurities, a tactic still seen today.

No Pats On the Back

Points And Figures • 772 implied HN points • 27 Feb 25
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Chicago lacks the investment and willingness to take risks that cities like Silicon Valley and New York have. This makes it hard for startups to get support.
  2. Entrepreneurial ecosystems thrive when they focus on merit and tolerance for failure. Chicago is seen as outdated in these aspects.
  3. The culture in Chicago often emphasizes who you are instead of what you can achieve, which can hinder innovation and growth.

Want to Build Your Client Base? Get Started with These 3 Things First

VERY GOOD PRODUCTIZED GUIDES • 79 implied HN points • 22 Jun 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Start with identifying a problem that needs solving. Focus on what others need instead of just your own ideas.
  2. Choose the right clients who align with your values and needs. This helps you work better and smarter with a specific group.
  3. Give before you ask for anything. Start by offering something for free to build trust and show what you can do.

Moats: How to Build a Scalable Business Competitors Can't Copy

Nail It and Scale It • 59 implied HN points • 08 Jul 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. A business moat is a special advantage that helps a company stand out and protect itself from competitors. Just like a moat around a castle keeps invaders out, a strong business moat helps companies earn big profits over time.
  2. There are different types of moats, like network effects where the value increases as more people use a service, and cost advantages that make switching harder for customers. Companies like Uber and Walmart have used these techniques smartly.
  3. Building a solid brand and having strong cultural values can also create powerful moats. For example, Patagonia builds loyalty by promoting environmentalism, making it harder for customers to switch to other brands.

Should I buy a company after visiting Victoria, BC?

Olshansky's Newsletter • 45 implied HN points • 31 Dec 25
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Buy an existing, revenue-generating business instead of building from scratch to create steady cash flow and buy time and freedom to pursue bigger missions.
  2. Make plans without expectations and show up; building relationships and staying open to serendipity often creates better opportunities than rigid goals.
  3. Prioritize independence and real value creation over constant fundraising, and then fix operational inefficiencies — cut waste, move costly cloud workloads to cheaper infrastructure, automate with AI, and keep teams lean to extract reliable cash flow.

Letters to a Young Investor: Kirsten Green

The Generalist • 820 implied HN points • 06 Feb 25
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Kirsten Green's journey to becoming a successful investor wasn't straightforward. It took her ten years of learning and failing before founding her own firm.
  2. She developed a unique way of looking at business opportunities by focusing on how a business model can enhance the customer's experience.
  3. Failures in her early investments taught Kirsten valuable lessons and shaped her approach to investing, helping her identify when to trust her instincts.

How Bolt.new hit $40M ARR in 5 months

Kyle Poyar’s Growth Unhinged • 362 implied HN points • 09 Jul 25
💼 Business Entrepreneurship
  1. Bolt.new succeeded because it had the right technology at the right time, quickly building on improvements in AI. This allowed them to grow rapidly after initially struggling for years.
  2. They made their user experience simple and easy for anyone to use, which helped people feel excited about creating and sharing their projects. This lack of barriers led to more users trying their product.
  3. Their growth strategy revolves around users sharing their creations, which naturally attracts new users. They also focus on quickly releasing updates and new features, keeping excitement high among users.