The hottest Finance Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Business Topics

The Jargonator T-800 Newsletter Entry

The Data Score • 59 implied HN points • 02 Oct 23
💼 Business Finance
  1. The newsletter offers insights into data-driven decision-making for a range of professionals.
  2. The newsletter includes a section where jargon related to finance, data, and technology is defined in simpler terms.
  3. Top 5 most viewed articles from the Data Score Newsletter offer valuable insights on revenue estimates, alternative data, evaluating data partners, and more.

18 months since - funding statistics for the 2021 space startup cohort

Intersections (by Filip) • 59 implied HN points • 17 Aug 23
🕹 Technology Finance
  1. Raw data reveals the financial landscape of space startups in 2021, with significant amounts invested and patterns in subsequent funding rounds.
  2. Data collection discrepancies highlight the importance of a diverse dataset and the impact of subsequent funding on company growth and investor interest.
  3. Understanding the timeline of funding, company failures, loyal investors, and the need for continuous rounds sheds light on the complexities and challenges faced by space startups.

The vibes are bad

Alex's Personal Blog • 65 implied HN points • 04 Mar 25
💼 Business Finance
  1. Okta and Gitlab had great stock performances today, showing positive earnings and growth. It's nice to see some companies thriving in a tough market.
  2. The stock market is struggling, with major indices like the DJIA and S&P500 dropping significantly. This could raise concerns about an upcoming recession.
  3. Despite the bad vibes in the market, there are still bright spots like new music releases making waves. It's important to find joy even when things seem uncertain.

☁ Datadog Q4: Platform vs. Optimization

Hard Mode by Breaking SaaS • 58 implied HN points • 26 Feb 23
💼 Business Finance
  1. Announcement of SaaS 101 Live education workshops with a free 2-hour workshop covering Datadog
  2. Introduction of a shorter transcript focusing on key points of Datadog Q4, emphasizing on growth trends and financial results
  3. Discussion on Datadog's Q1 guidance, FY23 outlook, product innovation, financials, and customer usage patterns

Comparing the Financials of Databricks and Snowflake

Tanay’s Newsletter • 82 implied HN points • 30 Dec 24
💼 Business Finance
  1. Databricks is growing faster than Snowflake, with a revenue growth rate of 57% compared to Snowflake's 27%. However, Snowflake remains more profitable at this point.
  2. Databricks is currently valued higher than Snowflake due to its strong growth potential and better positioning in the AI market. This could lead to a significant payoff for them in the long run.
  3. Snowflake and Databricks have different business strategies, with Snowflake focusing on profitability and Databricks investing heavily in growth and product development, especially in AI technologies.
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July Summary

The Hive • 58 implied HN points • 04 Aug 23
💼 Business Finance
  1. The author became the sole owner of Pico after splitting with the co-founder.
  2. In July, MRR decreased but new subscribers and visitors increased.
  3. Future focus for August is on improving the functionality of Pico and growing revenue.

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

The SaaS Baton • 58 implied HN points • 24 May 23
💼 Business Finance
  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.

Venture Debt BDCs, Vertical SaaS AI, Crypto

Bigfoot Capital • 58 implied HN points • 13 Sep 23
💼 Business Finance
  1. Venture debt BDCs in Q2 2023 saw $6.3B borrowing, but lower than previous years' pace
  2. BDCs had $1.335B in available liquidity and $1.167B in unfunded commitments by Q2 end
  3. AI in vertical SaaS may accelerate adoption, with current slow tech adoption rates and potential for enhanced product value

Is Stripe expensive, or is Adyen cheap?

Alex's Personal Blog • 65 implied HN points • 28 Feb 25
💼 Business Finance
  1. Startups are growing faster than ever, hitting $5 million in annual revenue quicker than before. This shows that today's startups have better opportunities and strategies to scale up.
  2. Self-driving technology is making great progress, with companies like Waymo doubling their paid rides in less than a year. This suggests that self-driving cars are becoming more reliable and popular.
  3. Comparing Stripe and Adyen reveals that Stripe is investing heavily in future growth while Adyen focuses on efficiency and profits. This difference shows how each company has its own strategy to succeed in the market.

Trust as the Next Great Commodity

Kyla’s Newsletter • 85 implied HN points • 11 Dec 24
💼 Business Finance
  1. Trust is becoming really important and is now seen as a valuable resource. In a world where trust is low, it's crucial to find ways to invest in trust.
  2. There are different strategies for investing based on trust levels. You can focus on protection in uncertain times or on building a better system for the future.
  3. To succeed in this low-trust environment, we need to focus on realigning society by building trust, understanding truth, and reaching consensus to create a stable future.

An update on my brush with debanking

Unreported Truths • 25 implied HN points • 06 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Finance
  1. Financial intermediaries, like banks and credit card companies, have a lot of power over transactions. Even a single decision can impact small businesses dramatically.
  2. American Express flagged a subscription service as fraud without notifying the owner, causing confusion and frustration for customers.
  3. Access to the financial system is crucial for businesses, and there's a concern about discrimination based on political views affecting this access.

Japan’s Vulnerability If There’s A New Recession

Japan Economy Watch • 179 implied HN points • 07 Jul 22
💼 Business Finance
  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.

Middleware Platform Solid To Wind Down, Lewis & Clark To Exit BaaS

Fintech Business Weekly • 66 implied HN points • 02 Feb 25
💼 Business Finance
  1. Evolve Bank & Trust has faced serious legal issues, including accusations of illegal discrimination and failing to meet fiduciary responsibilities. This has raised concerns about their trustworthiness.
  2. The middleware platform Solid is shutting down, and its bank partner, Lewis & Clark, is also exiting its banking-as-a-service business. This indicates a tough environment for fintech companies.
  3. Wise has reached a settlement with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau for advertising inaccuracies and failing to disclose fees properly. This highlights ongoing scrutiny in the fintech sector regarding consumer protection.

How soon until we can afford robot butlers?

Alex's Personal Blog • 65 implied HN points • 13 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Finance
  1. Robot butlers may become affordable in the near future due to advancements in technology. This could change how we manage household tasks.
  2. Recent investments in AI and robotics indicate a growing market. Companies are receiving significant funding to improve technology and services.
  3. The political landscape is affecting tech policies and decisions. Changes in leadership might lead to new directions for tech regulations and innovations.

Tips for managing your startup's cash

Startup Real Talk • 194 implied HN points • 12 Mar 24
💼 Business Finance
  1. The main goals for managing startup cash are capital preservation, liquidity, and income in that order.
  2. Keeping startup cash in a startup-friendly primary account and a secondary operating account is recommended.
  3. Investing the remaining cash in Treasury bills is a safe strategy, and it's important not to chase yield with riskier investment products.

Alibaba's Reorg Hot Mess

Interconnected • 246 implied HN points • 17 Nov 23
💼 Business Finance
  1. Alibaba's corporate reorganization has faced challenges and setbacks
  2. Cancellation of AliCloud spinoff impacted Alibaba's stock price
  3. Alibaba is navigating an identity crisis between growth and shareholder value narratives

Persuasion Markets: A Manifesto

Three quarks • 25 implied HN points • 18 Jul 25
🔮 Crypto Finance
  1. Persuasion markets let people earn money by sharing their opinions. Instead of just betting on outcomes, you can now influence those outcomes and get rewarded for it.
  2. These markets work differently from traditional prediction markets. They don't need outside judges to decide who wins since they're based on the votes made by participants themselves.
  3. The goal of persuasion markets is to create fun and engaging experiences where communities can come together, share ideas, and earn value while doing what they love.

Alternative Asset Guide #2 - Ecommerce Businesses

Concepts of Finance 🧠 • 79 implied HN points • 05 Jul 23
💼 Business Finance
  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
  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
  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.

ServiceTitan S-1 Breakdown

Tanay’s Newsletter • 82 implied HN points • 05 Dec 24
💼 Business Finance
  1. ServiceTitan is a software company that helps tradespeople like plumbers and electricians run their businesses better. They provide tools for managing customer relationships and service workflows.
  2. The company has been growing quickly, with a revenue increase of 24% in the last year. They make money from subscriptions, payment processing fees, and professional services.
  3. ServiceTitan is preparing for an IPO and plans to manage investor concerns about profitability. They have strategies in place to handle potential valuation drops and minimize shareholder dilution.

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

Technology Made Simple • 59 implied HN points • 04 Mar 23
💼 Business Finance
  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.

4 key metrics to track for solofounders

Tiny Empires • 85 implied HN points • 13 Nov 24
💼 Business Finance
  1. Track your monthly net profit to see if your business is healthy. If profits drop for too long, figure out why.
  2. Know your Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR) to understand how stable your income is. This helps you plan for the future.
  3. Focus on a few key metrics for marketing and sales, like the cost per lead and conversion rates, to make better decisions. Don't get lost in too much data.

How the Money for the Rest of Us podcast built a six figure membership platform

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 74 implied HN points • 19 Dec 24
💼 Business Finance
  1. David Stein used clever marketing tricks to grow his podcast audience by adding other popular podcast names to his metadata. This helped him reach over 20 million downloads.
  2. His podcast led to a successful membership community where listeners pay around $450 a year, making it a six-figure revenue source.
  3. Stein is now expanding into a SaaS platform for individual investors, offering them tools for better financial analysis, which he sees as a scalable business model.

The Deals That Change Your Life

Equal Ventures • 99 implied HN points • 19 Sep 22
💼 Business 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.

This Week in Marketing - Big Tech trades ads for AI, TikTok’s denial and Grok’s Nazi turn

The Social Juice • 26 implied HN points • 13 Jul 25
💼 Business Finance
  1. Big tech companies like Meta, Google, and Microsoft are focusing more on AI and moving away from traditional advertising methods.
  2. TikTok is denying reports about major operational changes, suggesting a push to maintain its current business structure amid scrutiny.
  3. Grok, a chatbot by Elon Musk's company, has faced backlash for inappropriate content, raising concerns about AI accountability.

10X Acquiring ScaleBio And Q2 Results

ASeq Newsletter • 21 implied HN points • 08 Aug 25
💼 Business Finance
  1. 10X is buying ScaleBio for $30 million to help lower costs and drive growth. This move aims to help them scale their operations more efficiently.
  2. Their recent earnings report shows that there is a continuing decline in the demand for single-cell technology. This trend is concerning for the company.
  3. Acquiring ScaleBio is seen as a strategic step for 10X to adapt to market changes and keep their business competitive.

The Great Reset: From Startups to What's Next

European Straits • 60 implied HN points • 30 Jan 25
💼 Business Finance
  1. Europe has struggled to create big tech companies like those in the US and China. It's due to issues like culture differences and less investment, which make it harder for companies to grow big.
  2. The US has certain advantages, such as a large market and easier access to funding, that help companies succeed. In Europe, money tends to be concentrated with a few wealthy families, making startups struggle.
  3. Even if startups seem to be fading, there's still a chance for new tech and ideas to emerge, especially with things like AI. Companies are likely to focus on efficiency rather than just rapid growth.

IDEA - Crypto Tax Platform

Validated Ideas • 39 implied HN points • 14 Dec 23
💼 Business Finance
  1. Consider building a Crypto Tax Platform as a business idea.
  2. Utilize existing APIs to create the product and target an underserved market.
  3. Focus on marketing strategies like Product Hunt, social media, content creation, and branding for successful launch.

Series A activity: Week of November 13, 2023

Magid and Co • 39 implied HN points • 20 Nov 23
💼 Business Finance
  1. The post provides data on Series A deals for the week of November 13, 2023.
  2. The focus is on Series A deals worldwide (excluding China) with funding over $5M and not for therapeutic companies.
  3. Readers can subscribe for free to receive more posts and support the author's work.