The hottest Finance Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Business Topics

Preparing to launch 🚀

André Casal's Substack • 19 implied HN points • 12 Aug 24
💼 Business Finance
  1. Testing the payment flow is crucial. It's important to ensure the payment system works correctly before launching, so real-world testing with coupon codes can help ease nerves.
  2. Improving the landing page can make a big difference. Sometimes stepping away helps you see what's unnecessary or unclear, allowing for better, more precise wording.
  3. Planning next steps is essential for a successful launch. Focus on pricing strategy, generating social proof, and preparing for platforms like Product Hunt to boost visibility.

ACX Grants Followup Impact Market

Astral Codex Ten • 1858 implied HN points • 07 Mar 24
💼 Business Finance
  1. ACX Grants involves an impact market where investors crowdfund grant proposals with potential for big profits if successful.
  2. Only 44 out of approximately 140 qualified participants have signed up for the impact market so far, with a different approach allowing non-accredited investors to participate.
  3. Investing in impact certificates through this system has risks like potential project failure, but also benefits such as tax deductibility.

💥Nobody Care(ismatic)💥

PETITION • 275 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
💼 Business Finance
  1. A medical apparel seller has filed for bankruptcy due to various financial challenges and changes in the industry.
  2. The restructuring process involves equitizing first lien debt and securing a DIP financing with interesting features.
  3. The bankruptcy filing of Terraform Labs Pte. Ltd., known for the failed stablecoin Terra USD, has led to ongoing legal proceedings and the company's intent to continue its business plan.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

NMHC on Apartments: "Lower rent growth and higher vacancies" in Q4

CalculatedRisk Newsletter • 19 implied HN points • 22 Jan 26
💼 Business Finance
  1. The Market Tightness Index is 32, well below the breakeven 50, which signals looser market conditions and points to lower rent growth and higher apartment vacancies.
  2. Sales activity has slowed — the Sales Volume Index dropped to 47, indicating a pullback in deal flow even though many respondents saw little change quarter-to-quarter.
  3. Financing is more available: the Debt Financing Index is 75 and the Equity Financing Index is 53, reflecting improved borrowing and capital availability after a modest decline in long-term yields.

Notorious: Common Mistakes Founders Make

Notorious PLG • 235 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
💼 Business Finance
  1. Valuable lessons for early-stage founders include focusing on customer needs, finding product-market fit, and maintaining rapid adaptation.
  2. Operating benchmarks for PLG startups include metrics on organic traffic, conversion rates, activation rates, and user retention.
  3. Financial benchmarks from PLG public companies cover EV/NTM revenue multiples, stock gainers, and recent PLG + AI financings.

And... we're back.

A Letter a Day • 255 implied HN points • 27 Jan 24
💼 Business Finance
  1. Steve Jobs and Substack didn't include on-off switches on devices or newsletters to avoid immediate disengagement.
  2. The author stopped the newsletter but received requests to continue due to its impact on readers' lives.
  3. The newsletter will restart, remaining free, with subscriptions only serving to measure engagement.

💥Here's Adam!?💥

PETITION • 235 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
💼 Business Finance
  1. The WeWork debtors are in conflict with landlords over unpaid rent, leading to a heated legal battle.
  2. Cano Health Inc. and its affiliates filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in Delaware due to financial struggles and bad acquisitions.
  3. The restructuring support agreement for Cano Health aims to deleverage the company's balance sheet through a sale process and a proposed $150 million DIP financing.

What's Better: AI-enabled services or AI-SaaS?

Enterprise AI Trends • 211 implied HN points • 01 Aug 25
💼 Business Finance
  1. AI-enabled services are all around us, with businesses using AI to automate many tasks. Companies should design their operations to fully leverage AI for better efficiency.
  2. OffDeal shows that there can be more profit in AI-enabled services compared to just selling software. They moved away from SaaS to offer full services and have seen great success because of it.
  3. Starting an AI-enabled service requires careful planning and execution. It's important to find ways to automate efficiently, but as AI becomes more common, the advantage may fade.

Tax cuts on the way?

Off to Lunch • 255 implied HN points • 23 Jan 24
💼 Business Finance
  1. Possibility of tax cuts as government borrows less than expected
  2. Government benefits from higher VAT and income tax receipts
  3. Public finances could improve with potential tax cuts to boost economy

Chartbook 340 Against synecdoche! … A plural taxonomy of capitalist globalization

Chartbook • 686 implied HN points • 19 Dec 24
💼 Business Finance
  1. Global capitalism is complex and can't just be understood as one single economy. Different sectors, like finance and agriculture, have their own unique ways of operating.
  2. It's important to recognize the different sectors of capitalism to fully understand how they interact. For example, globalization affects industries like manufacturing and real estate in distinct ways.
  3. By acknowledging that capitalism is made up of many different parts, we can avoid oversimplifying it and appreciate the specific factors at play in each aspect.

Solana Update

DeFi Education • 499 implied HN points • 09 Sep 23
🔮 Crypto Finance
  1. Solana is a fast blockchain that can handle 50,000 to 65,000 transactions every second. This high speed makes it suitable for many applications.
  2. MakerDAO, a big player in decentralized finance, is looking into using Solana for its operations. This could bring even more attention to Solana.
  3. Staying informed about updates in DeFi and blockchain technology is important. New developments can create new opportunities and partnerships.

The Post Money SAFE Horror Story

Venture Prose • 359 implied HN points • 26 Nov 23
💼 Business Finance
  1. SAFE agreements help define investor equity ownership in startups
  2. Transition from Pre-Money to Post-Money SAFE can impact founder equity significantly
  3. Consecutive Post-Money SAFE agreements can have a larger dilution effect on founder ownership compared to Pre-Money SAFE agreements

Everything is Risk (+Radiant Capital)

DeFi Education • 759 implied HN points • 27 May 23
💼 Business Finance
  1. Risk-taking is essential for growth and success. If you don’t take risks, you might miss out on big opportunities.
  2. Real-life experiences with risk help you learn and get better at decision-making. It’s important to face challenges to achieve greatness.
  3. In sports and investing, the biggest rewards come from taking calculated risks. Embracing these chances can lead to significant achievements.

The Meesho Must Go On

Tigerfeathers! • 54 implied HN points • 05 Dec 25
💼 Business Finance
  1. Meesho focuses on serving everyday shoppers, especially in smaller towns, by connecting them directly with small sellers and keeping prices low. This approach has allowed them to grow rapidly and become a key player in Indian e-commerce.
  2. The company's unique model relies on understanding their customers' needs and being very adaptable. They have successfully shifted their strategy multiple times to meet the demands of their users.
  3. Meesho's commitment to affordability and accessibility, along with their efficient logistics network, positions them well for continued growth in India's evolving marketplace.

FOMO And AI Anxiety In Davos

High ROI Data Science • 297 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
💼 Business Finance
  1. Davos crowd is pessimistic about global economic growth and sees AI as a potential solution.
  2. Big Tech companies are facing stiff competition in the AI space from innovative rivals.
  3. With interest rates rising, businesses need to focus on competitiveness and revenue growth to stay afloat.

Venture in Public Markets

Parth's Playground • 51 implied HN points • 25 Nov 25
💼 Business Finance
  1. Investing in both early-stage and mature public companies involves similar processes. Both require assessing key milestones, or 'card flips', that can significantly change a business's trajectory.
  2. There's a gap in funding for medium-term investments. Most capital is either short-term focused or tied up in long-term index funds, leaving opportunities for those willing to invest in companies making meaningful changes over 18 months to 4 years.
  3. Investing in public companies is different from private investments. It allows for more patient buying, but it also requires managing the temptation to react to market fluctuations constantly.

No More Sandwiches

DeFi Education • 779 implied HN points • 10 May 23
🔮 Crypto Finance
  1. MEV, or Maximum Extractable Value, allows bots to profit by reordering transactions on the Ethereum network. This means they can buy what you want to buy before you, and then sell it back to you at a higher price.
  2. Sandwich attacks are when these bots place their transactions around yours, making them 'sandwich' your transaction and causing you to pay more. They monitor your trade and act quickly to exploit pricing changes.
  3. To protect yourself from these attacks, use decentralized exchanges (DEX) that have RFQ technology or aggregators. They help you get the best price without being targeted by these bots.

DeFi: In Simple Photos and How to Make Your First Transaction!

DeFi Education • 3636 implied HN points • 24 Jun 21
🔮 Crypto Finance
  1. Decentralized Finance (DeFi) offers better returns than traditional banking. You can earn more on your investments compared to the low interest rates from banks.
  2. Using decentralized exchanges allows you to trade assets directly with others, cutting out the middlemen like banks. This means you can have more control over your money.
  3. While there are great opportunities in DeFi, be careful as there are many scams. Always research projects and use established protocols to protect your investment.

Curve Exploited! DeFi in Danger from Bad Debt?

DeFi Education • 559 implied HN points • 31 Jul 23
🔮 Crypto Finance
  1. Curve's founder borrowed a large amount of money secured by a significant percentage of CRV tokens. This means a lot of the circulating tokens are tied up in loans.
  2. The recent exploits have raised concerns about the health of decentralized finance (DeFi). Many people worry about 'bad debt' affecting the entire system.
  3. The specific loan at Frax finance has reached a full utilization rate, indicating that all available credit is in use and shows the strain on this lending platform.

O governo surfa na competência do Banco Central que apedreja

O Observador de Corcyra • 432 implied HN points • 03 Jul 23
💼 Business Finance
  1. The global economy in 2023 is influenced by fiscal and monetary actions taken during the pandemic, leading to low unemployment rates and strong consumer spending.
  2. Adjustments in monetary policies by central banks since 2021 have helped moderate inflation, especially in goods, and sustain economic activity without indicating a global recession in 2023.
  3. The independence of the Central Bank has allowed for the implementation of correct monetary policies, contributing to the consistent economic performance of Brazil and the potential for future organized monetary relaxation.

The Last Laptop You'll Ever Need For Crypto

DeFi Education • 1019 implied HN points • 07 Feb 23
🔮 Crypto Finance
  1. Many people have lost lots of money in crypto scams, and hackers are getting smart. Good security is super important for keeping your money safe.
  2. There's a new laptop designed specifically for crypto security. It uses special software and tools to protect your data and makes it easier to use safely.
  3. This laptop isn't for everyone—it's aimed at serious users like business owners and developers who handle a lot of money. If you're not tech-savvy, it could save you headaches.

The Bear Cave #244

The Bear Cave • 769 implied HN points • 20 Oct 24
💼 Business Finance
  1. Fuzzy Panda Research raised concerns about Stride Inc, suggesting it might face serious challenges after benefiting from COVID-related funding. They believe the company is going to struggle with competition and internal issues.
  2. Recent executive resignations from companies like CVS Health and The Joint Corp signal potential instability, as these leaders leave amid significant financial downturns for their companies.
  3. A new FTC rule will make it easier for consumers to cancel subscriptions. This change aims to prevent businesses from making it too hard for people to stop payments for services they no longer want.

Weird People Of History: Sam Israel

Thing of Things • 216 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
💾 History Finance
  1. Sam Israel was involved in a Ponzi scheme and engaged in insider trading.
  2. He learned from his father that connections were more important than hard work.
  3. Despite his illegal activities, Sam Israel managed to deceive both auditors and regulators.

The Bear Cave #260

The Bear Cave • 489 implied HN points • 09 Feb 25
💼 Business Finance
  1. New activist reports have revealed serious allegations against several companies, including Applied Optoelectronics and GeneDx Holdings, suggesting they may be involved in fraud and misleading practices.
  2. There were significant executive resignations this week from companies like Match Group and Digital Turbine, indicating possible instability within these businesses.
  3. The SEC is changing how it conducts investigations, which may slow down enforcement actions, showing a shift in regulatory approach.

How to make millions selling PDFs

Net Income • 412 implied HN points • 22 Jun 23
💼 Business Finance
  1. Selling digital products with no marginal cost can be a great business.
  2. Twinkl's success illustrates the power of recurring revenue and strategic growth expansion.
  3. High asset turnover and strong margins have contributed to Twinkl's financial success.

Evolution Gaming

Business Breakdowns • 412 implied HN points • 05 Sep 23
💼 Business Finance
  1. Evolution Gaming provides back-end services for online gambling games, focusing on live casino games and RNG games.
  2. The company's revenue model involves charging a fee based on operators' winnings, with a focus on high-quality customer experiences.
  3. Evolution is the market leader in live casino with significant global market share, and is expanding into RNG games for further growth opportunities.

Case Study: The Palm on Deakin

Supernuclear • 359 implied HN points • 27 Nov 23
💼 Business Finance
  1. Having a flexible house configuration is important for long-term sustainability.
  2. Pre-existing trust can reduce the need for strict processes in co-living situations.
  3. Legal and financial decisions have significant impacts, so do thorough research before moving forward.

Time is finite

Respectful Leadership • 54 implied HN points • 15 Nov 25
💼 Business Finance
  1. Time is limited, so it's important to recognize that we don't have endless chances to succeed. We need to make the most of our time and decisions.
  2. Entrepreneurs often believe that things will always improve with just one more attempt. However, sometimes, those extra tries can lead to setbacks.
  3. Looking back, certain choices may seem small but can have significant impacts on success. What seems minor at the time might slow down progress enough to be detrimental later.

A new Mets Fix... Podcast

Mets Fix • 353 implied HN points • 03 Nov 23
🎙 Podcasts Finance
  1. The offseason has started with free agency in baseball.
  2. A new Mets Fix Podcast has been launched for fans.
  3. Updates on potential managers for the Mets include Craig Counsell and Carlos Mendoza.