The hottest Finance Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Business Topics

Import AI 323: AI researcher warns about AI; BloombergGPT; and an open source Flamingo

Import AI • 519 implied HN points • 03 Apr 23
🕹 Technology AI Finance Open Source Models Data Centers
  1. Bloomberg has developed BloombergGPT, a powerful language model trained on proprietary financial data with significant performance improvements on financial tasks.
  2. AI researcher Dan Hendrycks warns about future AI systems potentially out-competing humans due to natural selection favoring AI traits that may not align with human interests.
  3. Open source initiatives like OpenFlamingo and Cerebras-GPT show how companies and collectives are replicating and releasing advanced AI models, presenting a trend in the industry towards open collaboration and competition.

DeFi Education Q&A (August Q&A)

DeFi Education • 459 implied HN points • 16 Aug 23
🔮 Crypto DeFi Blockchain Finance Investing Technology
  1. The Q&A sessions provide expert insights from professionals in finance and software. It's a chance to learn from people who know a lot about these topics.
  2. These sessions are held monthly, giving subscribers the opportunity to ask questions and get answers regularly.
  3. Participation requires a paid subscription, which ensures that the information shared is valuable and exclusive.
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Judicial Notice (02.03.24): Musk’s Money Troubles

Original Jurisdiction • 219 implied HN points • 04 Feb 24
📰 News Legal Politics Finance Law Entertainment
  1. Elon Musk's $56 billion pay package was ruined by lawyers, led by Greg Varallo, Jeroen van Kwawegen, and David Tejtel.
  2. Litigation boutiques like Lehotsky Keller Cohn are achieving significant wins in cases like FedEx's punitive damages.
  3. ChatGPT's suggestion of non-existent legal cases highlights the need for caution when using AI in legal research.

Apple

Business Breakdowns • 373 implied HN points • 11 Apr 23
💼 Business Technology Finance Retail Strategy Economy
  1. Apple's revenue is divided into five segments: iPhone, Mac, iPad, Wearables, Home and Accessories, and Services.
  2. Apple's Services segment has high margins and benefits from the large installed base of iPhone, Mac, and iPad users.
  3. Apple has a negative cash conversion cycle, giving the company leverage over its suppliers and improving working capital.

A Trust Issue.

News Items • 373 implied HN points • 05 Sep 23
💼 Business Finance Law Reform Consulting
  1. John Ellis discusses corruption in America's courts and the pursuit of reform.
  2. Jay Alix alleges McKinsey consulting firm has been breaking the law in bankruptcy courts.
  3. Consider subscribing to News Items for more insightful content on legal issues.

Gymshark part 2: co-founder exits, billionaire tax planning, securing the bag, and cash crunches

Net Income • 373 implied HN points • 13 Jul 23
💼 Business Finance Management Entrepreneurship Economics Investing
  1. Co-founder disagreements in growing businesses are common and it might be necessary to part ways if visions differ.
  2. Smart tax planning strategies can help wealthy individuals protect assets and leave a financial legacy for future generations.
  3. Managing cash flow in a rapidly growing business, especially with inventory-based models, is crucial for long-term success.

Beyond the carbon buzz

Topsoil • 373 implied HN points • 22 Aug 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Sustainability Finance Environmental Impact
  1. Agriculture has a significant impact on the environment, beyond just carbon sequestration.
  2. Sustainability in agriculture requires real changes on farms, operational support for farmers, and financial incentives.
  3. Financing and risk-sharing across the agricultural value chain are crucial for accelerating adoption of sustainable practices.

Is $7.2B a lot of money for Squarespace?

Alex's Personal Blog • 65 implied HN points • 17 Oct 24
💼 Business Finance Tech Market Investing Startups
  1. Squarespace was recently sold for $7.2 billion, which some believe is a lot of money. They managed to increase their sale price by over 5% from a previous offer.
  2. The company showed strong growth, with its revenue growing by 20% year over year, and it has a solid cash position. This performance raises questions about whether they sold themselves too cheaply.
  3. Even though the sale price seems high, Squarespace might have been worth more based on its growth and financial metrics. Some think they could have waited for better market conditions before selling.

#165 – Anti-Predictions

Below the Line from Kevin LaBuz • 7 implied HN points • 12 Jan 25
💼 Business Finance Economics Management Entrepreneurship Investing
  1. Predicting the future is really hard, so instead of trying to guess what's coming, focus on being adaptable. It's better to prepare for many different possible outcomes rather than relying on one prediction.
  2. Time shows us what ideas and practices last. We should pay more attention to things that have proven their value over time, rather than just what's new or trendy.
  3. Surviving and reducing risks is more important than chasing success. By making sure you avoid big dangers, like too much debt, you can set yourself up for long-term success without the fear of losing everything.

Revisiting Stock Buybacks

Fish Food for Thought • 6 implied HN points • 22 Jan 25
💼 Business Finance Investments Corporate Governance Market Analysis Economic Policy
  1. Companies that buy back their stock instead of investing in research and development may reduce innovation. This can lead to fewer new products and a weaker market position in the long run.
  2. Stock buybacks can be a sign that a company thinks its shares are undervalued, but many companies end up overpaying for their own stock. This means that, sometimes, buybacks might not be a good investment.
  3. Critics say buybacks manipulate stock prices and benefit top executives more than long-term investors. Instead of improving the company's health, these practices could hurt its future growth and stability.

Samsara

Business Breakdowns • 353 implied HN points • 25 Jul 23
💼 Business Technology Finance Industry Entrepreneurship Investing
  1. Samsara is focused on revolutionizing industrial operations through IoT technology.
  2. The company offers a diverse portfolio of IoT devices and solutions beyond just fleet management.
  3. Samsara's business model involves bundling hardware costs with subscriptions and focusing on digitizing industrial companies.

Admist uncertain merger with Woz's Privateer Space, Orbital Insight CEO Kevin O'Brien bails to cryptocurrency surveillance firm Chainalysis

All-Source Intelligence Fusion • 366 implied HN points • 15 Feb 24
💼 Business Technology Cryptocurrency Finance Surveillance Investments
  1. Orbital Insight CEO Kevin O'Brien moved to the cryptocurrency surveillance firm Chainalysis, leaving behind the collapse and financial struggles of Orbital.
  2. Orbital Insight faced challenges leading to financial decline, including defaulting on rent, a nonfunctional main phone line, and failed attempts at a merger with Privateer Space.
  3. Despite substantial funding and strategic partnerships, Orbital's downfall was partially attributed to market changes, such as Apple's privacy measures affecting their commercial data analysis business.

Office Armageddon

Diane Francis • 639 implied HN points • 30 Mar 23
💼 Business Real Estate Urban planning Finance Work Culture Government Policy
  1. Many big city offices are empty now because a lot of people are working from home. This change is hurting banks and city budgets as tax revenues drop.
  2. Cities are losing population for the first time in decades, which is causing more vacant shops and offices. This could lead to financial trouble for local governments.
  3. Turning empty office buildings into homes could be a solution, but it’s complicated and expensive. Cities need to rethink their spaces and invest in community facilities to attract people back.

"He had relaxed for one day. And he had lost"

Kvetch • 43 implied HN points • 02 Nov 24
💼 Business Private Equity Investing Mergers Acquisitions Finance
  1. Winning doesn't mean you're safe; you have to keep working to stay ahead. A single misstep can lead to losing everything.
  2. In a competitive environment, confidence can be dangerous. Overestimating your position might let opponents take advantage.
  3. Timing and knowledge are crucial in business deals. A well-timed offer can change the game, just like knowing when to reveal important information in politics.

DeFi Education Q&A (May 2023)

DeFi Education • 599 implied HN points • 16 May 23
🔮 Crypto Blockchain Decentralization Investing Finance Technology
  1. The Q&A sessions provide expert insights from experienced professionals in finance and crypto. This helps you stay informed and make smarter choices.
  2. You can also ask for research topics, and the team will either answer your questions right away or write a detailed post about it later.
  3. These sessions are a great way to connect with other crypto enthusiasts. You can share ideas and discuss trends with like-minded people.

The VC Corner 📰 #6

The VC Corner • 219 implied HN points • 30 Dec 23
💼 Business Venture Capital Startups Investing Finance Entrepreneurship
  1. This newsletter provides valuable news and resources for people in the startup and venture capital world. It's great for both experienced investors and beginners.
  2. By subscribing, you get access to weekly insights that can help you stay informed about the latest trends and developments in startups.
  3. There's a free trial option available, so you can explore the content without any initial commitment.

The Disruptive Potential of On-chain Reputations

DeFi Education • 619 implied HN points • 28 Apr 23
🔮 Crypto Blockchain Decentralization Finance Identity Reputation
  1. On-chain reputation helps build trust by tracking the behavior and reliability of users in a blockchain network. This way, people can make informed decisions when interacting or transacting.
  2. On-chain identity is a unique digital representation of a person or entity, different from traditional IDs. It allows for privacy while providing a way to establish trustworthiness within decentralized systems.
  3. Using on-chain reputation might allow individuals from underbanked communities to access financial services, which they often struggle to obtain through traditional methods. It promotes inclusion in the financial system.

Letter #84: Sam Zell (1976)

A Letter a Day • 334 implied HN points • 20 May 23
💼 Business Real Estate Investing Finance Economics Entrepreneurship
  1. Sam Zell was a successful real estate mogul, starting his career in property management before building a massive real estate empire.
  2. In his 1976 essay, Zell discussed the opportunities in distressed properties, emphasizing the importance of initial investment analysis and financial restructuring.
  3. Investors in distressed properties are motivated by the potential for equity value appreciation and long-term asset value growth, despite initial cash-flow challenges.

Alphabet

Business Breakdowns • 334 implied HN points • 25 Apr 23
💼 Business Technology Finance AI Revenue Investment
  1. Alphabet, parent company of Google, mainly focuses on search advertising revenue.
  2. Google's search business maintains high margins despite paying a significant amount to ensure default search engine status.
  3. AI advancements, like Microsoft's ChatGPT, pose a potential threat to Google's dominance in search.

Is this guy the British Michael Jordan?

Net Income • 334 implied HN points • 29 Jun 23
💼 Business Sports Investing Entrepreneurship Marketing Finance
  1. Understanding the business deals of famous athletes like Michael Jordan can be fascinating and inspiring.
  2. Athlete-entrepreneur stories, like Junior Bridgeman and Shaquille O'Neal, highlight the potential for wealth beyond their sports careers.
  3. Analyzing the business ventures of athlete-entrepreneurs like Gary Neville reveals complex financial strategies and potential reasons for varying net worth.

A Return to Teaching: The Spring 2023 Edition

Musings on Markets • 859 implied HN points • 21 Dec 22
🚌 Education Teaching Learning Philosophy Finance Business
  1. Preparation is crucial for teaching. Being ready for class helps make the learning experience better for everyone.
  2. Respect and empathy towards students are important. Treating students as capable individuals fosters a positive learning environment.
  3. Classes should be engaging and fun. Enjoying the teaching process makes learning more meaningful and impactful for students.

Console #195 -- Top open source projects of the week 🎉

Console • 354 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Open Source Search Engines Finance AI Tools
  1. This post features top open source projects of the week on search engines, finance, and AI tools.
  2. Highlighted projects include Stract - a web search engine, Rye - offering a Hassle-Free Python Experience, and Maybe - an OS for personal finances.
  3. Additional projects like Pkl, Fabric, and WhisperKit are also showcased with their unique features.

How to have "the talk" with your customers

Kyle Poyar’s Growth Unhinged • 607 implied HN points • 17 Jan 24
💼 Business Marketing Finance Pricing Customer Relationships Product Development
  1. Increase ACV by asking customers about willingness-to-pay without directly asking for a specific price.
  2. Understand that ACV growth involves price increases, product expansion, and knowing what customers value.
  3. As your business scales, consider factors like pricing, packaging, and customer willingness to pay to optimize revenue.

Lessons from History: The Rise and Fall of the Telecom Bubble

Mule’s Musings • 558 implied HN points • 16 Oct 23
💼 Business Technology Finance History Economy Telecom
  1. The Telecom bubble had compounding levels of leverage throughout the value chain, which is a defining difference from today's AI companies.
  2. The barrier to entry in the Telecom industry seemed lower than in the AI industry, allowing for more new entrants.
  3. Supply is reactive to demand, and the telecom bubble showed that supply can quickly outstrip demand, leading to a glut.

Real World Assets: Growing Pains

DeFi Education • 359 implied HN points • 30 Aug 23
🔮 Crypto Blockchain Finance Assets Technology Investment
  1. Real World Assets (RWAs) aim to integrate physical items like homes and cars into blockchain technology for easy transaction documentation. This can make buying or selling things more transparent and straightforward.
  2. The concept of RWAs is part of a larger vision for a future where all assets can be managed using digital systems. This could revolutionize how we handle ownership and exchanges.
  3. There are challenges in making RWAs a reality, indicating that while the idea is promising, there are still many hurdles to overcome before it can be widely adopted.