The hottest Finance Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Business Topics

Intercom’s "top to bottom" AI bet 🏊‍♀️

The SaaS Baton • 58 implied HN points • 24 May 23
💼 Business Technology Finance Startups Entrepreneurship Investing
  1. Intercom is exploring the impact of integrating generative AI on product strategy and cost structures.
  2. Maze learned to differentiate between churn they wanted to improve and churn they didn't.
  3. When fundraising, focus on pitching vision or traction but not both, aim to get the first check early, and recognize when investors are not interested.
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How to calculate your marketing budget—and make sure it's efficient

MKT1 Newsletter • 3 implied HN points • 11 Dec 24
💼 Business Marketing Finance Startups Growth SaaS
  1. To set a successful marketing budget, you need to understand key metrics like CAC Ratio, Payback Period, and LTV:CAC. These help you see if your spending is driving real growth.
  2. It's important to create a budget that's tied to realistic revenue goals, using both top-down and bottom-up forecasting methods. This ensures your budget aligns with what you can realistically achieve.
  3. Tracking your budget throughout the year and being flexible with adjustments is crucial. If some areas are under or overspending, be ready to reallocate funds to stay on track.

$1 Million Newsletter & Niche Startup Ideas: This Week's Startup Digest!"

startupsemail • 39 implied HN points • 16 Dec 23
💼 Business Startups Entrepreneurship Marketing Technology Finance
  1. Starting a successful business can happen unexpectedly but requires strategic planning and market understanding.
  2. Utilize personal brand and network to effectively market a business, showing the power of credibility and community.
  3. Diversify revenue streams in a content-driven business for sustainability and growth.

Last Month’s $83.3 Million Civil Jury Verdict Against Donald Trump in Federal Court Raises Historically Serious National Security Concerns

Proof • 60 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Law Security Finance Fraud
  1. Donald Trump faces serious legal and financial challenges, including an $83.3 million civil jury verdict against him.
  2. There are doubts about Trump's claims of having $400 million in liquid assets to pay off judgments against him.
  3. The concern over Trump's financial situation and potential debt raises national security concerns.

Japan’s Vulnerability If There’s A New Recession

Japan Economy Watch • 179 implied HN points • 07 Jul 22
💼 Business Economy Geopolitics Finance History
  1. Japan's vulnerability to economic shocks like a new recession is high, historically showing outsized reactions that affect living standards and geopolitics.
  2. The Japanese economy takes bigger hits from global shocks compared to other rich countries, recovering more slowly and experiencing slower growth.
  3. Japan's economic vulnerability stems from imbalanced growth where GDP growth hasn't translated effectively into wider population benefits like wage growth, creating long-term instabilities.

Alternative Asset Guide #2 - Ecommerce Businesses

Concepts of Finance 🧠 • 79 implied HN points • 05 Jul 23
💼 Business Ecommerce Investing Finance Market Trends Entrepreneurship
  1. Ecommerce is a growing investment opportunity with lower costs than traditional stores. It's becoming popular because it can be more profitable and easier to manage.
  2. Buying an existing ecommerce business can be a smart move for investors. Some stories show people making huge profits with minimal work after buying established sites.
  3. When looking to invest in ecommerce, be cautious and aware of potential red flags. Research is important to find a good deal while avoiding pitfalls.

About that ISDA Pt 5: Section 1: Interpretation

The Jolly Contrarian • 19 implied HN points • 16 Mar 24
💼 Business Finance Legal History Technology
  1. Section 1 of the ISDA Master Agreement introduces key concepts and rules, important to understand but should not be tampered with.
  2. The hierarchy clause in Section 1(b) establishes a clear order for precedence of documents within the ISDA Master Agreement, preventing inconsistencies.
  3. The 'Single Agreement' concept in Section 1(c) lays the foundation for efficient capital management in master trading agreements, ensuring smooth termination and settlement of transactions.

The Big Development Project: How much should it cost?

Dev’s Substack • 13 HN points • 25 Apr 24
💼 Business Finance Budgeting Investment Development Analysis
  1. Performing a double worst-case analysis can help determine a reasonable price for a software investment based on the project's business value.
  2. ROI (return on investment) calculation considers total benefits, total costs, and time horizon to assess project profitability.
  3. Setting a target cost for development budget based on the minimum acceptable ROI and apportioning costs between development and operational can guide budget planning.

Why does Tech Hire and Fire so quickly [Finance Fridays]

Technology Made Simple • 59 implied HN points • 04 Mar 23
💼 Business Tech Finance Employment Management Economy
  1. Tech companies hire and fire quickly due to the boom and bust cycle - the economy goes through periods of growth and recession, affecting staffing decisions.
  2. Big tech companies compete aggressively, leading to hiring for unprofitable projects and mass layoffs later on.
  3. Hiring in tech can sometimes be driven by ego and market image, leading to quick layoffs as well. Stay aware of trends and project impact to protect your job.

The Deals That Change Your Life

Equal Ventures • 99 implied HN points • 19 Sep 22
💼 Business Venture Capital Startups Investing Entrepreneurship Finance
  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.

A dive into Economy of India

Sitesh’s Substack • 2 HN points • 08 Aug 24
💼 Business Economics Finance Trade Investment Employment
  1. India's economy is growing but still has a long way to go. It currently contributes 8% to the global GDP, while having 18% of the world's population.
  2. Most of India's economic activity comes from informal sectors, making it hard to get accurate data. This leads to big challenges like high debt and low per capita income.
  3. Despite having a large population and potential for growth, India struggles with inequality and low productivity. A small part of the population contributes to most of the economic consumption.

Six-Word Memoirs, Career Moves, Reverse Sear

Austin's Analects • 19 implied HN points • 01 Mar 24
🍲 Food & Drink Cooking Career Finance Personal Finance
  1. Six-Word Memoirs offer a concise way to connect with others by describing yourself in just a few words.
  2. When planning your next career move, consider mapping out adjacent careers and necessary skills to see what roles align best with your interests and strengths.
  3. A simple 'reverse sear' method can help you cook a perfect steak every time: season, oven cook, sear, and rest to enjoy a delicious meal.

The Ultimate Investors List of Lists 🚀

The VC Corner • 1 HN point • 27 Aug 24
💼 Business Venture Capital Investing Startups Funds Finance
  1. Finding the right investors is crucial for startup success. It helps to connect with the right people whether you're just starting out or already growing.
  2. Using curated lists of investors saves time and effort in your search. This way, you can focus more on running and building your business.
  3. Access to a variety of potential investors increases your chances of finding the right match for your startup's needs. More options mean better opportunities!

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

Concepts of Finance 🧠 • 59 implied HN points • 26 Jul 23
💼 Business Business Models Investing Entrepreneurship Finance Digital marketing
  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.

Unvested shares don't just "buy back" themselves

The Founder Memo • 19 implied HN points • 14 Mar 24
💼 Business Startups Equity Finance Employee Relations
  1. When an employee leaves with unvested stock, the company usually needs to buy it back within a short time, like 90 days. If they don't, that stock could stay with the former employee forever.
  2. There are two main ways companies can handle unvested shares: by repurchasing them or by automatic forfeiture. It's really important to know which method your company uses.
  3. After firing someone, companies should quickly check their stock agreements to see what to do about unvested shares. Handling it properly can prevent bigger problems later.

What Matt Levine and Taylor Swift Have in Common

Dunnstack • 39 implied HN points • 28 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Music Finance Writing News Celebrity
  1. Taylor Swift and Matt Levine are both superstars in their respective fields, known for their prolific work and influence.
  2. Analogies play a significant role in storytelling and leadership, illuminating ideas and engaging the audience.
  3. Matt Levine's insightful and witty writing on finance and business is likened to Taylor Swift's impact on music, showcasing different forms of creativity.

Inside Pandora's Box

Diane Francis • 279 implied HN points • 11 Oct 21
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Politics Finance Corruption Investigative Journalism Taxation
  1. The Pandora Papers show a large amount of hidden money and tax evasion linked to powerful people around the world.
  2. Investigative journalists worked hard to sort through millions of documents to uncover this information.
  3. This data leak highlights how corruption and financial wrongdoing can involve politicians, dictators, and other famous figures.

Building a Successful Company, Sharing Ideas Online, and Career Cheat Codes

Austin's Analects • 19 implied HN points • 15 Feb 24
💼 Business Success Ideas Career Finance Personal Growth
  1. Key secrets for building a successful company involve getting the right people on board, showing category leadership, creating unique products, and ensuring everyone in the company is focused on sales.
  2. Sharing your ideas online allows you to grow your skills, learn publicly, and become the best version of yourself before pursuing corporate opportunities.
  3. To advance in your career, consider starting an internal newsletter to build relationships and standing out, as well as making a list of what you want out of your company to actively pursue opportunities and skills.

Chinese V. Premier He Lifeng's message for foreign investors

Beijing Channel • 3 implied HN points • 10 Dec 24
💼 Business Finance Investment Economics Trade Global Markets
  1. China is actively inviting foreign investors by promoting reforms and a clearer business environment. They're saying that it's a good time for businesses to cooperate and invest in China.
  2. Vice Premier He Lifeng has been meeting regularly with international business leaders. This shows that China is really focusing on its economic growth and wants to strengthen ties with foreign companies.
  3. China aims to ease market access and further open its financial sector to attract more foreign businesses. They believe this will help improve their economy and create more opportunities for everyone.

How do I invest in startups

Tech Ramblings • 39 implied HN points • 12 Oct 23
💼 Business Investing Startups Finance Entrepreneurship Economics
  1. Founders should be experts in their field. It's important that they have deep knowledge and experience to succeed.
  2. Hard work is crucial for startup founders. If they aren't responsive or dedicated, it could be a sign of problems ahead.
  3. Investing in startups with revenue is safer. It helps reduce risks and increases the chances of getting your money back.

An Experimental Update

Mindset Mastery • 39 implied HN points • 17 Apr 23
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Finance Wellness Work-life balance Self-reflection
  1. The experiment of leaning into the business with spousal support is working well financially.
  2. Reflecting on and adjusting coping mechanisms, mindset about money, and work-life balance is crucial for overall success and well-being.
  3. Delegating tasks, seeking help, and maintaining personal boundaries are essential for sustainable growth in business and personal life.

JC content update - autumn 2023

The Jolly Contrarian • 39 implied HN points • 24 Sep 23
💼 Business Finance Regulations Change Management
  1. The Jolly Contrarian website operates as a 'pull' resource where users obtain content they want, instead of being bombarded with content they may not need.
  2. Emissions allowance trading is a unique and transgressive product challenging traditional financial boundaries, susceptible to government decrees, and with interesting documentation quirks.
  3. Understanding repackaging and secured MTNs involves complexities like limited recourse and security roles, needing a thorough study of documentation and anatomy.

A simple take on AI, MBAs going back to finance and some Q1 valuation data

Bigfoot Capital • 39 implied HN points • 06 Jul 23
💼 Business AI Finance Tech Valuation
  1. Zooming out from AI: Operators should focus on tangible ways to utilize new technologies rather than making risky moonshot bets on AI.
  2. Pendulum Swing: MBAs are increasingly choosing finance jobs over tech jobs as the job market fluctuates.
  3. Q1 Valuations: Uncertainty remains about the economy, but valuations have returned to historical trends with high burn rates posing challenges in the venture space.