The hottest Finance Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Business Topics

☁ Benchmarking 101

Hard Mode by Breaking SaaS • 78 implied HN points • 11 Sep 23
💼 Business Finance
  1. Benchmarking helps you compare your company's performance with your industry peers and make strategic decisions.
  2. Choose the right benchmarks based on factors like size, growth, and time to ensure accurate comparisons.
  3. Find benchmarking data from public company SEC filings and aggregated private company reports.

We(Didn't)Work

Innovation Nation • 78 implied HN points • 08 Aug 23
💼 Business Finance
  1. WeWork is facing financial troubles, with a net loss of $387mm and a stock down 30% in after hours trading.
  2. If WeWork goes bankrupt, it could leave 600,000 members without office space, impacting many lives and companies.
  3. A potential collapse of WeWork could lead to the largest real estate default in history, with $15.6 billion in lease obligations at risk.

Inside the Lakers Sale: How Jerry Buss Built a $10 Billion Dynasty

Huddle Up • 46 implied HN points • 20 Jun 25
🎾 Sports Finance
  1. Mark Walter just bought the Lakers for $10 billion, making it the most expensive sports franchise sale in U.S. history.
  2. Jerry Buss, who originally bought the Lakers for $67.5 million, transformed the team and the NBA with innovative business strategies.
  3. Walter is known for his smart ownership approach, focusing on winning and hiring talented people, which has brought success to the teams he manages.

Dow Jones partners with Chinese media outlet, says partner TMTPost

Pekingnology • 45 implied HN points • 29 Jun 25
💼 Business Finance
  1. Dow Jones has partnered with TMTPost, a Chinese media outlet, to launch a Chinese version of Barron's. This move expands Barron's presence into the Chinese-speaking market.
  2. The partnership aims to provide Chinese-speaking investors with reliable financial news and insights in their native language. This is important for helping them make informed investment decisions.
  3. Zhao Hejuan, a respected figure in finance journalism, will lead the new Chinese Barron's. She is expected to bring valuable expertise to enhance the publication's quality in China.
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How DeFi Will Disrupt The Legal Profession

DeFi Education • 399 implied HN points • 04 Mar 22
🔮 Crypto Finance
  1. DeFi, or decentralized finance, offers a way for people to handle banking and financial tasks without needing traditional institutions. You can manage your money all by yourself with just a few clicks.
  2. This could change the legal profession by making financial and legal processes more accessible to everyone. It means people might not need lawyers for certain tasks anymore.
  3. With DeFi, many services that typically require a middleman might be automated, saving time and money for users. This could lead to less demand for some legal services.

1/25/2024: PayPal's *Innovation Event*

depression2022 • 39 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
💼 Business Finance
  1. PayPal announced new innovations at an event, like a one-click checkout product and making Venmo more business-friendly.
  2. The stock initially rose but then fell after the announcement, indicating mixed reactions from the world.
  3. The new CEO highlighted the potential for improvement by implementing simple, customer-focused changes, which could positively impact PayPal's business.

Only the aggrieved thrive

Alex's Personal Blog • 32 implied HN points • 05 Aug 25
💼 Business Finance
  1. Grievance can drive success. Companies that acknowledge challenges and frustrations often find a way to thrive despite obstacles.
  2. The spending on AI infrastructure is expected to keep increasing, which suggests that companies are confident in the future of AI and digital intelligence.
  3. There is a debate about whether websites have to share their information with AIs as they do with human visitors. This raises important questions about online content use.

Keep Going University: Building a Calm, Profitable Company That Lasts

Startup Strategies • 28 implied HN points • 14 Aug 25
💼 Business Finance
  1. Building a calm and profitable company is more sustainable than chasing rapid growth. It's important to focus on steady progress rather than stressful expansion.
  2. Quality matters in business. Prioritizing the quality of products and services fosters trust with customers and contributes to long-term success.
  3. Respecting the creative process is crucial. A patient approach allows for better outcomes and a happier work environment, preventing burnout.

Doubling down on full-stack AI: Our (Second) Investment in OffDeal

Entry Level Investing • 33 implied HN points • 29 Jul 25
💼 Business Finance
  1. AI is changing the financial services industry by making it more efficient and reducing waste. Companies like OffDeal are using AI to streamline investment banking for small businesses.
  2. OffDeal focuses on three main areas: getting data on small businesses, creating quick financial reports, and optimizing the deal process. This helps them serve their clients better and faster.
  3. Full-stack AI companies, like OffDeal, are taking control of more parts of their services to keep more value. This model is expected to grow in other areas like law, accounting, and consulting.

OSD 338: Going public as a gun company

Open Source Defense • 28 implied HN points • 13 Aug 25
💼 Business Finance
  1. GrabAGun recently went public, which is important because there aren't many gun companies on the stock market. This could lead to more investment and new startups in the gun industry.
  2. Even though going public means more scrutiny and regulation, it also helps normalize the gun industry. This could be good for gun rights in the long run.
  3. The trend of decentralization is really helping gun rights. More companies can now access funding and it allows people to learn about guns more freely.

Safe round or priced round? That is the question.

The Founder Memo • 19 implied HN points • 10 May 24
💼 Business Finance
  1. If you're raising less than $1 million and need money quickly, a Safe round is usually the best choice because it’s simple and fast.
  2. For larger amounts, like $1 million or more, especially with a lead investor, a priced round makes more sense despite taking longer and being more complicated.
  3. In the end, think carefully about which option works best for your situation instead of just going with the common choice of Safes.

Trillion Dollar Twit

Diane Francis • 299 implied HN points • 26 May 22
💼 Business Finance
  1. Elon Musk is seen as a skilled businessman but sometimes acts immaturely for his age. This mix of traits makes him an unusual and unpredictable figure.
  2. His decision to buy Twitter for a huge amount of money shows boldness, but it has also led to a series of controversial tweets. These tweets have sparked a lot of discussion and mixed reactions from the public.
  3. Musk's behavior raises questions about how he will manage Twitter and whether his leadership style will be effective for the platform's future.

Welcome to the $4 trillion club

Alex's Personal Blog • 32 implied HN points • 31 Jul 25
💼 Business Finance
  1. Microsoft's earnings have soared, making it one of the few companies valued at $4 trillion. Their cloud services, especially Azure, are growing rapidly and driving this success.
  2. AI companies like Ambiq and Figma are having successful IPOs, with Ambiq's shares jumping significantly after its debut. This shows strong investor interest in AI technologies.
  3. Meta's recent earnings report surprised many, showing significant revenue growth. Their heavy investment in AI is expected to enhance their advertising capabilities and overall business.

Show me the money (& jobs)

Intercalation Station • 179 implied HN points • 21 Feb 23
💼 Business Finance
  1. The US government has provided significant funding for American battery companies through various initiatives like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
  2. The funding aims to create jobs and requires a match from private investment.
  3. Analyzing the funding and job creation of these companies shows interesting trends like the split between public and private contributions and the hiring practices of different companies.

Best of Brand & Advertising this week - Emmy's, Gen-Z Stare, Publicis vs Omnicom, Timothée Chalamet + Canada

The Social Juice • 34 implied HN points • 19 Jul 25
💼 Business Finance
  1. Publicis Groupe improved its growth forecast to 5% due to recent business wins. This shows that successful marketing can really impact company performance.
  2. Gen Z is increasingly engaging with brands through social media and is known for its notable 'stare' at brands. Marketers need to understand this audience's behavior for effective outreach.
  3. The Emmy Awards highlighted several impressive commercial nominees. Brands are recognizing the importance of creative advertising to connect with audiences.

Virality: is it a little too easy to be true? | #35

The Pole • 59 implied HN points • 07 Nov 23
💼 Business Finance
  1. Positioning is crucial for creating viral videos. You need to know your audience, why they would click on your video, and why they would watch it.
  2. Understanding audience retention is key. Even if your video gets clicks, it's important to keep viewers engaged throughout the content.
  3. Analyzing successful videos in your niche can provide insights for your own content creation. Researching and preparing before making videos can increase their effectiveness.

Intellectual Laziness

MD&A • 404 implied HN points • 04 Jul 23
💼 Business Finance
  1. Intellectual laziness can lead to catastrophic corporate failures, as seen in the case of GE and SVB.
  2. Managers who prioritize manipulating short-term earnings over creating long-term shareholder value are intellectually lazy.
  3. Intellectual rigor is essential in identifying underrated managers and avoiding overrated ones.

#23: How to Write a Good Pitch Deck

Loeber on Substack • 122 implied HN points • 27 Oct 24
💼 Business Finance
  1. A good pitch deck should help the investor easily create an investment memo. This means your deck should be clear and focused on key points.
  2. Always consider what an investment memo looks like, and make sure your pitch deck provides all the necessary information an investor might need to write it.
  3. Try to anticipate and answer common investor questions in your deck. This makes it easier for them to understand your business and advocate for you.

No, It's Not The Dotcom Bubble All Over Again

How the Hell • 68 implied HN points • 18 Mar 25
💼 Business Finance
  1. The companies investing in AI today, like Microsoft and Google, are much stronger financially than those in the dotcom bubble. They have lots of cash from their main business to fund AI projects.
  2. Investing in AI is different because the technology, like GPUs, has a shorter lifespan than the long-lasting fiber optics from the 90s. This makes it easier to estimate the returns on investment.
  3. AI is already generating hidden revenue, especially for big tech firms in cloud services. So, saying there's no revenue from AI doesn't cover the whole picture.

📣Announcing Interconnected 2.0

Interconnected • 323 implied HN points • 22 Oct 23
💼 Business Finance
  1. Kevin Xu announced Interconnected 2.0 as his new venture.
  2. Interconnected 2.0 will include an investment partnership and a premium paid newsletter.
  3. The premium newsletter offers deep insights, 1-on-1 discussions, and early access to future projects.

ARM IPO Breakdown

Mule’s Musings • 346 implied HN points • 12 Sep 23
💼 Business Finance
  1. ARM is an important company in the IP industry, famous for its power efficiency and reduced instruction set.
  2. ARM's history includes significant milestones like going public in 1997 and being acquired by Softbank in 2016.
  3. The ARM IPO is highly anticipated, with the company aiming to list between 50-55 billion, showcasing its key role in the industry.

The Contest for Japan’s Economic Future

Japan Economy Watch • 39 implied HN points • 11 Jan 24
💼 Business Finance
  1. Japan's stagnant economy could see a revival through a new generation of entrepreneurs and major social changes opening new opportunities.
  2. Challenges to progress in Japan include difficulty in bank financing, resistance to change by powerful entities, and the inflexibility of the traditional system with aspects like lifetime employment.
  3. Notable experts have endorsed the book 'The Contest for Japan's Economic Future', praising its analysis and recommendations for tapping into entrepreneurial potential in Japan.

University of Virginia Spends $20 Million On 235 DEI Employees, With Some Making $587,340 Per Year

OpenTheBooks Substack • 236 implied HN points • 05 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Finance
  1. University of Virginia spends $20 million on 235 DEI employees, with some earning up to $587,340 annually.
  2. University of Florida saved $5 million yearly by eliminating 13 full-time DEI positions and reallocating funds to faculty recruitment.
  3. UVA has deep DEI infrastructure with various agencies and departments dedicated to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

MicroStrategy's $37B+ Bitcoin Bet (Is Just The Start)

SatPost by Trung Phan • 106 implied HN points • 30 Nov 24
🔮 Crypto Finance
  1. MicroStrategy, a software company, has made a huge shift by investing over $37 billion in Bitcoin. This change aims to protect against inflation and economic instability by using Bitcoin as a long-term store of value.
  2. Michael Saylor, the company's CEO, believes that Bitcoin is the best asset for wealth preservation compared to traditional investments like gold or real estate. He sees it as essential for economic freedom and stability.
  3. By issuing convertibles and equity to raise money, MicroStrategy has created a unique business model that offers investors exposure to Bitcoin without the hassles of buying it directly. This approach is attracting various institutional investors looking for Bitcoin-linked financial products.

Africa’s payment future is hybrid, borderless & inclusive — watch the breakdown

Afridigest • 31 implied HN points • 20 Jul 25
💼 Business Finance
  1. Payments in Africa are changing to be hybrid, mixing digital and physical options. This will help more people use payment systems easily.
  2. There's a strong push for payments to be borderless across Africa. New systems will allow different countries to trade directly using their currencies.
  3. Inclusive finance is becoming more important. New services will help communities save and invest together, making finance accessible for everyone.

The 'discounted' Yandex offload

The PhilaVerse • 247 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
💼 Business Finance
  1. Yandex is selling its remaining Russian businesses for $5.2 billion due to a mandatory discount imposed by the Russian government.
  2. The transaction involves cash in Chinese Yuan and is led by a consortium of senior managers and investors.
  3. Yandex aims to recover value for divested businesses, unlock growth for international businesses, and allow divested businesses to operate under new ownership.

Daily Chartbook #388

Daily Chartbook • 235 implied HN points • 24 Feb 24
💼 Business Finance
  1. The Daily Chartbook #388 provides a daily summary of events through 30 charts.
  2. The content is behind a paywall, accessible only to paid subscribers.
  3. Readers can subscribe to access the detailed chartbook or sign in if they are already paid subscribers.

Erebor, Erewhon, Stablecoins, Zizians and The Dark Enlightenment

Dr. Pippa's Pen & Podcast • 34 implied HN points • 07 Jul 25
💼 Business Finance
  1. Erebor is a new financial venture that allows companies to raise money directly from investors using stablecoins, bypassing traditional banks. This could change how businesses get funding and might disrupt the current financial system.
  2. Erewhon warns about the dangers of AI, showcasing a fictional land where machines are banned due to past harm. It represents a cautionary tale about the rapid growth of AI and its impact on society.
  3. The debate between Erebor and Erewhon highlights a stark choice: one embraces technological riches while the other values beauty and nature. This reflects a bigger question about the direction of our society as technology evolves.

How we built a business out of recession - chapter 53 - we've only gone and done it

The ZIPster • 35 implied HN points • 04 Jul 25
💼 Business Finance
  1. CitNOW started at a kitchen table and grew into a successful company, showcasing how a small idea can turn into something big.
  2. After years of hard work, the founders sold the company in 2018, marking an important milestone in their journey.
  3. The experience of selling the company was surreal and emotional, reminding them of how far they had come together.

Two podcasts

Jérôme à Paris • 72 implied HN points • 18 Feb 25
🎙 Podcasts Finance
  1. I recently spoke at two different events: one about offshore wind finance and another on renewable energy investment.
  2. The presentation on offshore wind finance can be found on YouTube, but it's in French.
  3. The podcast on renewable energy investment is available in English and discusses how investors can approach this market.

Oxford Nanopore Firesides

ASeq Newsletter • 7 implied HN points • 04 Dec 25
💼 Business Finance
  1. The company's CFO led public conversations about technology and customer topics, speaking in a role I'd expect from a CEO.
  2. He came across as capable and handled the discussions well, even though some viewpoints may differ.
  3. More detailed notes and content are behind a paywall, but links to the fireside chats are provided for further listening.

King Elon

Diane Francis • 359 implied HN points • 16 Dec 21
💼 Business Finance
  1. Elon Musk was named Time Magazine's 'Person of the Year', which sparked a lot of debate.
  2. Some people believe that others, like vaccine scientists or philanthropists, deserved the honor more than Musk.
  3. The decision highlights the controversy around celebrating wealth and fame over contributions to society.

Marvell Industry Analyst Day

Mule’s Musings • 256 implied HN points • 17 Dec 23
💼 Business Finance
  1. Marvell's Industry Analyst Day focused on AI and highlighted strong revenue growth expectations for the company related to AI technologies.
  2. Marvell expects significant revenue from AI in 2024, with over two billion dollars projected, driven by AI demand and server attach rates.
  3. Marvell's strategy involves leveraging networking, custom silicon, and pluggable transceivers to position themselves as a key player in the AI semiconductor market.

Series B Activity: July 2023

Magid and Co • 59 implied HN points • 08 Aug 23
💼 Business Finance
  1. Data on Series B deals done in July 2023 is available for download in PDF format
  2. The summary stats include data on Series B deals done worldwide (ex-China) with an amount raised greater than $5M, excluding companies focused on therapeutics
  3. Readers are encouraged to forward the information to anyone planning to raise an A or B round in the next six months