The hottest Finance Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Business Topics

The ESG Movement: The "Goodness" Gravy Train Rolls On!

Musings on Markets • 19 implied HN points • 14 Sep 21
💼 Business Finance
  1. Measuring goodness in businesses is really hard. Different people have different views on what is 'good,' making it tough to agree on what counts.
  2. Being a good company might help some businesses make more money, but it can also hurt others. The proof that being good pays off is still unclear.
  3. Trusting companies to be good for society isn’t enough. It’s important for individuals to make their own choices and not just rely on businesses to solve social issues.

How can R&D impact CAC, LTV & profitability

Brick by Brick • 9 implied HN points • 18 Mar 24
💼 Business Finance
  1. Understanding unit economics is crucial for businesses to determine profitability and optimize operations.
  2. Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC) is a key metric in evaluating marketing and sales efficiency, while Lifetime Value (LTV) predicts the profit from a customer's entire relationship with the company.
  3. R&D can significantly impact profitability by lowering CAC and increasing LTV through delivering superior products, enhancing user experiences, and attracting customers organically.

4 Supply Chain Themes for 2021

Equal Ventures • 19 implied HN points • 30 Jan 21
💼 Business Finance
  1. 2021 will be a record year for supply chain investing due to problems to solve and available capital.
  2. The rise of FBA sellers has created demand for multi-channel logistics solutions, especially for D2C brands.
  3. SMBs and mid-market seek working capital, presenting an opportunity for startups to embed trade finance solutions within the supply chain stack.

If you get a takeover offer, fight

Klement on Investing • 3 implied HN points • 04 Feb 25
💼 Business Finance
  1. If a company gets a takeover offer, they should consider negotiating instead of accepting it right away. There's a good chance they can get a better deal.
  2. Research shows that most takeover deals do not fail and often result in the target company receiving more favorable terms. About 80% of modified deals end up giving more money to the selling company.
  3. Overall, companies approached for a takeover have a 94% chance of either keeping the original offer or getting a better one by negotiating.

The Zomato IPO: A Bet on Big Markets and Platforms!

Musings on Markets • 19 implied HN points • 22 Jul 21
💼 Business Finance
  1. Zomato is a food delivery service in India that aims to grow as more people eat out and order food online. Investors are hopeful about its future, even though the company currently has low revenues and is experiencing losses.
  2. The Indian food delivery market is still small compared to countries like China and the U.S., mainly due to lower incomes and different dining habits. As incomes rise and digital access improves, this market could expand significantly.
  3. Zomato's success will depend on its ability to compete with other companies and adapt to changing market conditions. It may face challenges from competitors like Swiggy and Amazon Food as consumer preferences evolve.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Capital Planning for Early Stage SaaS Founders

desknotesaz • 1 HN point • 29 Feb 24
💼 Business Finance
  1. Capital planning includes budget preparation, strategy formation, and team alignment. It helps create a framework for quantifying decisions and deliberate capital allocation.
  2. A capital plan involves mapping out a medium-term business strategy and creating a budget that outlines resource allocation and implications on cash balance.
  3. Navigating from Series A to B requires increased complexity and possibly hiring a financial expert. Their role is crucial in managing operational details, translating them into a comprehensive budget, and challenging proposals for realistic alignment.

New Week #118

New World Same Humans • 17 implied HN points • 07 Apr 23
🕹 Technology Finance
  1. Meta introduced a new AI model for image segmentation, paving the way for advances in machine vision applications.
  2. Japan is facing a significant labor shortage, with a forecast of 11 million fewer workers by 2040 due to an aging population.
  3. Bloomberg unveiled a large language model specialized for finance, showcasing the power of domain-specific AI models for unlocking insights from vast amounts of data.

What's the ROI of R&D?

Brick by Brick • 18 implied HN points • 13 Feb 23
💼 Business Finance
  1. Establish concrete business outcomes for R&D investments before making them
  2. R&D organizations should be able to articulate investments and outcomes in terms of business metrics like net new ARR and sales efficiency
  3. Maximizing R&D pre and post PMF involves investing strategically in product features that align with market needs and drive incremental value

Bitcoin, Geopolitics, & Empire

Rounding the Earth Newsletter • 4 implied HN points • 18 Nov 24
🔮 Crypto Finance
  1. Bitcoin aims to replace traditional banks with a decentralized network that can eliminate many banking fees. This could help drive down costs for consumers and reshape financial systems.
  2. If Bitcoin becomes successful, it could reduce the negative impacts of traditional banks, like laundering money and contributing to crime. This might lead to a healthier economy and better lives for people in poorer nations.
  3. While Bitcoin has its challenges, like handling privacy concerns, it offers an opportunity for a more equitable distribution of wealth. The hope is that it drives genuine improvements in people's lives around the world.

Thanks and Q&A

Optimally Irrational • 3 implied HN points • 23 Jan 25
💼 Business Finance
  1. Paid subscribers are really appreciated because they allow more time for writing and creating content. Supporting through subscriptions shows value in the work being done.
  2. There is a desire for more engagement and interaction with subscribers, encouraging them to share their thoughts and suggestions. It’s a great way to build a community.
  3. Future plans for the platform include expanding topics and content based on subscriber interests, aiming for more relevant and meaningful discussions.

Founder Fuck-ups #03: Quitting my job at idea stage and pouring all my savings

Founder Fuck-ups • 1 HN point • 21 Feb 24
💼 Business Finance
  1. Consider working on your business idea part-time while keeping a full-time job to reduce risk.
  2. Validate your business idea by getting traction from early customers before taking major risks like quitting a job and investing all savings.
  3. Instead of investing all your savings, explore options like raising capital from various sources to validate your competence and business concept.

Know Your Cap Table

Tippets by Taps • 12 implied HN points • 09 Aug 23
💼 Business Finance
  1. Know the ownership breakdown in your cap table - founders, employees, investors.
  2. Understand the financial history of your company - investments, valuations, debt.
  3. Having a clear grasp of your cap table is crucial for making informed fundraising decisions.

Cheatcodes for Usage-Based Pricing (with Scott Woody)

Good Better Best • 1 implied HN point • 18 Jul 25
💼 Business Finance
  1. Usage-based pricing can help businesses align costs with actual value, making it easier for customers to pay based on what they use. This model is preferred in industries like AI where services scale rapidly.
  2. Setting clear guardrails and allowing customers to manage their budgets can prevent unexpected costs. Providing upfront credits helps customers understand their anticipated spending.
  3. Companies should prepare for a shift in internal processes when adopting usage-based pricing. This includes changes in sales tactics, finance calculations, and product features to ensure visibility and control for users.

Daily Exasperation #1

Exasperated Infrastructures • 12 implied HN points • 02 Aug 23
💼 Business Finance
  1. Uber finally posted a quarterly profit with improved financial metrics.
  2. Uber's stock price took a hit due to missing revenue projections amidst competition from Lyft.
  3. The news and investing cycle can blur fundamentals and it's hard to differentiate motivations behind business analysis performance.

Revisiting Apollo 1 in a Post-ZIRP World

New Frontier • 1 HN point • 09 Feb 24
💼 Business Finance
  1. The Apollo program teaches us the importance of overcoming failure and learning from mistakes to prevent future disasters.
  2. In a Post-ZIRP world, tech companies need to shift focus to profitability and hard work, moving away from the easy funding rounds of the past.
  3. Embracing a 'Tough and Competent' mentality, focusing on efficiency by reducing unnecessary meetings, avoiding overengineering, and returning to mission-driven cultures can help companies thrive in the changing landscape.

The Last Challenger

Net Interest • 7 implied HN points • 15 Mar 24
💼 Business Finance
  1. In the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis, the UK government allowed a significant bank merger to ensure financial stability despite concerns about competition.
  2. The idea of promoting competition through challenger banks was embraced but has struggled to reduce the dominance of the Big Four banks in the UK.
  3. Despite efforts to increase competition, mergers between existing players, like Virgin Money and Nationwide, have become a significant strategy to challenge the Big Four banks.

OLO's Dilemma... (part 1)

Guasty Winds Investment Ideas • 2 HN points • 23 Mar 23
💼 Business Finance
  1. OLO experienced rapid growth during the pandemic but is now facing challenges with slowing growth and increasing competition.
  2. The industry tech stack is evolving, and OLO's role as a platform is being questioned as competition intensifies.
  3. OLO's foray into payments may face challenges in adoption and profitability, impacting its future growth potential.

The Easiest Path For Companies To Reach Net Zero

Warming Up to Climate Tech • 2 HN points • 01 Jun 23
💼 Business Finance
  1. Bend helps companies calculate and confront their carbon emissions by integrating climate data with financial operations.
  2. Bend automates carbon accounting, making it accessible and cost-effective for businesses of all sizes.
  3. Bend's ultimate goal is to empower businesses to make informed purchase decisions by providing visibility into the environmental impact of their spending.

How to calculate your marketing budget—and make sure it's efficient

MKT1 Newsletter • 3 implied HN points • 11 Dec 24
💼 Business Finance
  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.

Exclusive: The economics of Jumia Food exposed for the first time

Afridigest • 7 implied HN points • 28 Feb 24
💼 Business Finance
  1. The post explores the financial dynamics of Jumia Food, revealing insights into its performance and challenges.
  2. It highlights the shutdown of Jumia Food and the impacts on Jumia's financial results, shedding light on the tough economics of the food delivery business.
  3. The historical adjustments made by Jumia offer an opportunity to study the financial performance of Jumia Food separately, emphasizing the competitive and challenging nature of the industry.

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

Beijing Channel • 3 implied HN points • 10 Dec 24
💼 Business Finance
  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.

Driving a Hard Bargain

Some Unpleasant Arithmetic • 7 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
💼 Business Finance
  1. Haggling can lead to better outcomes for both parties in transactions.
  2. People haggle not only to save money but also for a sense of accomplishment or entertainment.
  3. Haggling can serve as a form of price discrimination based on willingness to negotiate, benefiting both consumers and sellers.

Clouded Judgement 5.26.23

Clouded Judgement • 12 implied HN points • 26 May 23
💼 Business Finance
  1. Snowflake reported weakening consumption trends in April/May compared to Feb/March.
  2. The change in data retention policies by customers was a big factor in consumption weakness for Snowflake.
  3. Snowflake's report raises questions about the anticipated acceleration in consumption software and highlights the volatility of consumption models.

Lessons On Advertising From Across The Atlantic

WriMoReMo • 7 implied HN points • 12 Feb 24
💼 Business Finance
  1. People around the world share common emotions like happiness, sadness, and fear despite playing life's game on different boards.
  2. America has a deep-seated culture that resists centralized power and favors institutional proliferation, with capitalism being a prominent 'god'.
  3. American business thrives on a combination of sales, service, marketing, value creation, and finance, shaping a society deeply rooted in consumerism and desire creation.

Skimmer Enterprise Pool API, FrankieOne Fraud Detection

The API Changelog • 1 implied HN point • 16 Jun 25
🕹 Technology Finance
  1. Apple announced updates for their products, including new features for visionOS 26 and macOS Tahoe 26 to improve user experience.
  2. OpenAI has seen significant growth in revenue and has made its AI models more affordable, staying competitive with other companies in the AI space.
  3. New tools and partnerships are emerging in the fintech and security sectors, enhancing API integration and fraud detection capabilities.

VSRF LIVE TONIGHT: Episode 162 - The Coming 'Planet Lockdown' with Catherine Austin Fitts

Steve Kirsch's newsletter • 2 implied HN points • 29 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Finance
  1. The VSRF LIVE episode features Catherine Austin Fitts, who discusses important topics like government fraud and public health. She has experience in finance and government, making her insights valuable.
  2. Catherine has criticized the influence of hidden groups on public institutions, linking it to issues like the COVID-19 pandemic. Her views raise awareness about financial accountability.
  3. The show relies on public support and donations to continue, emphasizing the importance of community involvement in promoting health freedom. It encourages sharing and participation to reach a wider audience.

📈 📊 How to Develop and Write KPIs: A Guide for Product Managers 📋

The Product Channel By Sid Saladi • 3 implied HN points • 27 Oct 24
💼 Business Finance
  1. KPIs are important tools that help product managers measure how well their product is performing. They show how close you are to reaching your business goals.
  2. To create effective KPIs, start with your business objectives and define specific, measurable metrics that relate directly to those goals.
  3. Regularly monitor your KPIs and be prepared to adjust them as necessary. This helps you stay on track and make informed decisions about improvements.

Clouded Judgement 4.28.23

Clouded Judgement • 11 implied HN points • 28 Apr 23
💼 Business Finance
  1. AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud reported Q1 results.
  2. Azure's growth rate was better than market expectations but AWS's growth took a negative turn in April.
  3. Cloudflare reported a disappointing quarter and lowered their full-year guidance.

Gradient Flow: ML in Finance, Disinformation, AI Superpowers

Gradient Flow • 19 implied HN points • 04 Jun 20
🕹 Technology Finance
  1. Collaboration between lawyers and technologists is crucial for identifying and mitigating risks associated with AI deployment in various industries.
  2. Responsible ML tools from Microsoft focus on explainability, privacy & security, and governance & reproducibility, providing comprehensive support for ethical AI development.
  3. China and the US are considered AI superpowers, with strong research interest in Data and AI, along with vibrant startup ecosystems focused on applying these technologies.

Clouded Judgement 6.2.23

Clouded Judgement • 10 implied HN points • 02 Jun 23
💼 Business Finance
  1. Companies saw a decrease in net new ARR in Q1 compared to previous quarters.
  2. Different companies are affected by macroeconomic factors differently.
  3. Market interest is focused on whether forward estimates are increasing or decreasing.