The hottest Funding Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Science Topics

A Rebuttal to a School Choice Legislator

The View from Rural Missouri by Jess Piper • 517 implied HN points • 28 Nov 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education Policy Funding Legislation School choice
  1. School choice arguments often promote a free-market approach to education, but they may not be suitable for all communities.
  2. Rural towns might not have the necessary market conditions for school competition or choice to be effective.
  3. Public school funding issues, particularly in rural areas, are a significant concern and can be exacerbated by privatization schemes.

DEI Blitz Reaches Buckeye Nation

OpenTheBooks Substack • 177 implied HN points • 30 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education & Policy Ideology Funding Civil Rights
  1. Ohio State University is investing a lot of money into diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, spending over $13 million on DEI staff last year. This raises questions about the role of DEI in education and its impact on students.
  2. A significant amount of funding for universities comes from foreign sources, with Ohio State reporting millions from countries like China and Saudi Arabia. This highlights concerns about foreign influence on American education.
  3. Despite receiving billions in federal funding, Ohio State still accepted COVID-related financial help, even as other wealthy universities declined such funds. This reflects broader issues regarding financial management in higher education.

Update 5/13/23

FOIA Around And Find Out • 589 implied HN points • 14 May 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Investigation Funding Truth GOP
  1. The frequency of post updates has decreased due to being busy, but there will be more developments in the next few months.
  2. There are high expectations for the cases brought forward, with potential answers coming from investigations.
  3. There may be fundraising opportunities in the future to support ongoing efforts related to the content discussed.

4 lessons I learned giving 2 million to small businesses

Kenny’s Sub • 259 implied HN points • 19 Feb 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Small business Grants Funding Work Culture
  1. People often feel too scared to ask for what they want, but pushing through that fear can lead to success. It's important to be respectful when following up and seek solutions when faced with a 'no.'
  2. Making mistakes is a part of learning and won't ruin a business if there’s a solid financial backup. It's wise for businesses to have enough savings to cover expenses in tough times.
  3. Prioritizing getting actual customers is more important than focusing on future revenue hopes. It's better to earn money now than gamble on uncertain future profits.

Netflix Co-founder's 'The Canada Rule' For Building Successful Startups 🧐 | Pre-Money Valuation Growing 💹| VC Remote Jobs

Venture Curator • 239 implied HN points • 22 Feb 24
💼 Business Startups Venture Capital Valuations Market Trends Funding
  1. The 'Canada Rule' advises startups to focus on one or two important things rather than chasing every opportunity.
  2. Pre-money valuations in Europe are showing growth across different stages, indicating market resilience.
  3. VCs are using 'Dry Powder' in convertible bridge rounds, showcasing creative financing strategies by founders.
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YC Strategy 'Cash In, Cash Out, Milestones Achieved' To Raise Funding | Peter Thiel On 'Make A Product A Few Love' | VC Remote Jobs & More

Venture Curator • 439 implied HN points • 15 Nov 23
💼 Business Venture Capital Entrepreneurship Funding Startups Remote Jobs
  1. Y Combinator's strategy for raising funding includes focusing on 'Cash In, Cash Out, Milestones Achieved' to impress investors.
  2. Peter Thiel emphasizes the importance of making a product that a few people really love, rather than trying to please a large group at the start.
  3. When seeking venture capital funding, it is crucial to have a clear plan for the amount of money you need, the runway required before the next round, and the milestones you aim to achieve.

Neurotech Notables #7: April 2024

NEUROTECH FUTURES • 119 implied HN points • 30 Apr 24
🕹 Technology Neurotechnology Funding Commercial Regulatory
  1. Recent neurotech news includes a significant amount of new funding for various companies and startups in the field.
  2. There are notable developments in neuroethics, with mentions of landmark neuroethics work in Colorado and Paris, as well as the implementation guidance for responsible innovation of neurotechnology from OECD.
  3. The post also covers a wide range of commercial activities, regulatory updates, and upcoming events in the neurotech industry, showcasing a vibrant and evolving landscape.

Neurotech Notables #8: May 2024

NEUROTECH FUTURES • 99 implied HN points • 15 May 24
🕹 Technology Neurotechnology Funding Commercial Regulatory
  1. Commercializing Brain Computer Interfaces (BCI) is a long-term endeavor that requires patience and perseverance
  2. Educating the public about neurotechnology involves balancing technical details with ethical considerations
  3. Collaboration and communication among experts in neurotechnology is crucial to advance innovation and ensure human dignity and safety

The Looming Danger to Rural Schools

The View from Rural Missouri by Jess Piper • 378 implied HN points • 01 Dec 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation Funding
  1. Rural schools in Missouri are facing a funding crisis, ranking poorly in starting teacher pay and educational funding.
  2. 30% of Missouri schools operate on a 4-day week due to lack of funding, impacting students' academic hours and creating challenges for parents with daycare needs.
  3. Missouri legislators are considering further defunding public education, potentially implementing voucher programs that could divert public tax money to private and religious schools, jeopardizing the future of rural schools.

Introducing Ronin Ecosystem Grants!

Ronin’s Newsletter • 110 implied HN points • 16 Jan 25
🔮 Crypto Blockchain Grants Innovation Funding Development
  1. Ronin is launching Ecosystem Grants to support builders and innovative projects in the crypto space, offering $10 million in funding.
  2. There are different grant programs available, including one that provides up to $300K for development costs and another for $20K to help cover user onboarding expenses.
  3. To apply for a grant, teams can fill out an online application and will receive support in building their projects, with no deadlines for applications.

🏎 Aston Martin of Scooters

The Micromobility Newsletter • 432 implied HN points • 13 Jun 23
💼 Business Micromobility Funding Market Expansion Industry Trends
  1. Micromobility Europe showcased innovative micromobility products and concepts, like the Hilo One electric scooter with advanced features.
  2. The industry is seeing collaborations and advancements like Segway's partnership to bring advanced rider assistance systems to their scooters.
  3. There is a growing trend towards sustainable and efficient micromobility solutions, such as universal charging stations and swappable batteries.

Neighbor Tuesday(ish): UNGA

The Friendly Neighbors • 432 implied HN points • 20 Sep 23
🌍 World Politics Philanthropy Funding
  1. Attended discussions on missing populations in Sustainable Development Goals, emphasizing healthcare for marginalized groups.
  2. Contrasted experiences at UNGA - one event featuring activists and another with philanthropists, highlighting the need for diverse perspectives.
  3. Advocated for the importance of uniting diverse voices in global health initiatives for comprehensive impact.

QuantumSi Raises $50M

ASeq Newsletter • 14 implied HN points • 06 Jan 25
💼 Business Funding Startups Technology Innovation Investment
  1. QuantumSi secured an extra $50 million in funding, which highlights investor interest in their innovative technology. This money is intended to help launch their new 'chip-less' sequencing approach.
  2. The $50 million is a relatively small amount for developing a new sequencing platform, suggesting they might have already made significant progress. It's still unclear if this will be enough to compete successfully in the rapidly evolving field.
  3. Key challenges remain, such as staying ahead of competitors working on optical methods. It's uncertain if their product will be compelling enough, making the upcoming developments closely watched.

Purpose Disruptors needs disrupting

Thoughts on Writing • 319 implied HN points • 22 Nov 23
💼 Business Advertising Climate change Economics Funding
  1. The ad industry and climate movement should aim for better collaborations and campaigns that actually make a positive impact.
  2. It's important to critically evaluate the claims and research behind advertising campaigns related to climate change to ensure credibility and effectiveness.
  3. Narratives around climate action in advertising should be aspirational, inclusive, and focus on tangible positive changes rather than guilt or deprivation.

Import AI 334: Better distillation; the UK's AI taskforce; money and AI

Import AI • 399 implied HN points • 10 Jul 23
🕹 Technology AI Research Generative models Funding AI Applications
  1. DeepMind developed Generalized Knowledge Distillation to make large models cheaper and more portable without losing performance.
  2. The UK's £100 million Foundation Model Taskforce aims to shape the future of safe AI and will host a global summit on AI.
  3. Significant financial investments in AI, like Databricks acquiring MosaicML for $1.3 billion, indicate growing strategic importance of AI in various sectors.

The VC Corner 📰 #5

The VC Corner • 259 implied HN points • 22 Dec 23
💼 Business Venture Capital Startups Investment Funding Entrepreneurship
  1. Venture capital is a great way for people to learn about investing in startups. It's useful for both experienced investors and newcomers.
  2. This newsletter shares important news and information that can help investors stay informed. It's a handy resource for anyone involved in venture capital.
  3. You can try out the newsletter for free for a week. This is a great opportunity to see if it meets your needs before committing.

Marc Andreessen: Understand "Onion Theory Of Risk" To Raise Funding For Your Startup | VC Remote Jobs & More

Venture Curator • 259 implied HN points • 18 Dec 23
💼 Business Startups Venture Capital Funding Milestones Investors
  1. Understanding the relationship between risk and cash flow is crucial for successfully raising venture capital funding for a startup.
  2. Peeling away layers of risks through achieving milestones is key to pitching your startup effectively to investors at different funding rounds.
  3. The Onion Theory of Risk highlights the layers of risk a startup faces and emphasizes the importance of systematically reducing these risks to attract funding.

Import AI 330: Palantir's AI-War future; BLOOMChat; and more money for distributed AI training

Import AI • 399 implied HN points • 22 May 23
🕹 Technology AI Models Funding Regulation Training
  1. Palantir is making a big bet on AI for defense and intelligence, integrating it with large language models to enhance capabilities for conflict-based scenarios.
  2. SambaNova introduces BLOOMChat as a competitor to chatGPT, showcasing the ongoing race between open source models and proprietary ones in the field of AI development.
  3. Startup Together.xyz secures $20m in funding to promote open source and decentralized AI development, aiming to make AI training more accessible and widespread.

Neurotech Notables #5: March 2024

NEUROTECH FUTURES • 119 implied HN points • 29 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Neurotech Funding Industry Regulatory Events
  1. Neurotech experienced significant growth and activity in Q1 2024, with $400 million raised in private capital, over 20 FDA decisions, and various partnerships and initiatives.
  2. Recent developments in neurotechnology include increased focus on Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) news, new partnerships, and Neuroethics considerations worth exploring.
  3. The Neurotech industry continues to see advancements in funding, market recognition, regulatory clearances, and collaborations, indicating a growing interest and investment in neurotechnology.

Plasmidsaurus

ASeq Newsletter • 7 implied HN points • 20 Jan 25
💼 Business Biotech Startups Funding Services Technology
  1. Plasmidsaurus aims to be the go-to for DNA sequencing services by 2025, offering faster and higher-quality results. They want biotech companies to rely on them instead of in-house services.
  2. The company originated from a merger of two firms, SNPsaurus and Primordium Labs, both focused on plasmid sequencing. They started with competitive pricing and innovative approaches to attract customers.
  3. Plasmidsaurus is reportedly generating significant revenue, with claims of over $40 million annually from their sequencing services, which includes a contract with Oxford Nanopore.

"Land & Expand" To Improve Your Odds of Getting to Yes With a VC | VC Remote Jobs & More

Venture Curator • 299 implied HN points • 10 Nov 23
💼 Business Venture Capital Funding Startups Investment Entrepreneurship
  1. Raising capital from VCs is a sales & marketing process where you're selling trust and confidence in the future of your company. Building trust with VC partners and understanding their decision dynamics can increase your odds of success.
  2. Each VC firm has a unique decision-making process, so it's crucial to know the firm's partner structure, how decisions are made, and the role of non-partner staff. Building relationships with multiple team members before the final decision meeting can improve your chances.
  3. To secure funding from VCs, go beyond just your sponsoring partner - engage with multiple staff members, understand the decision dynamics within the firm, and address biases and concerns in advance. Building broad relationships within the VC firm can increase the likelihood of a positive outcome.

DOCUMENTS: Chinese Researcher Who Mapped COVID Virus Two Weeks Before China Released Sequence Was on Anthony Fauci’s Payroll

The DisInformation Chronicle • 630 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Investigation Health Science Funding
  1. A Chinese researcher who mapped the COVID virus was on Fauci's payroll before China released the sequence.
  2. Questions arise about NIH funding in China and the timeline of understanding COVID.
  3. The Chinese researcher's initial virus sequence wasn't published but was similar to later ones.

The Fusion Energy Landscape

Ulysses • 359 implied HN points • 05 Apr 23
🔬 Science Energy Physics Technology Research Funding
  1. Fusion energy promises clean, pollution-free energy that can be built anywhere and lasts millions of years without geopolitical disputes over fuel reserves.
  2. Different fusion technologies like magnetic confinement, inertial confinement, and magneto-inertial confinement offer diverse approaches to achieving fusion reactions with varying benefits and challenges.
  3. Developing fusion energy requires extensive funding, traditional engineering solutions, and expertise underscoring a journey to harness limitless energy potential.

We are crowdfunding $ for design!

Offline: dating that works • 39 implied HN points • 18 Jun 24
💼 Business Crowdfunding Design Marketing Funding Startups
  1. The team is crowdfunding $5K for design to improve their product, starting with a minimum viable design and then progressing to marketing and user recruitment efforts.
  2. They are seeking support through financial pledges, volunteer resources, spreading the word, and connecting with potential users for research interviews.
  3. The project aims to evolve from a demo site to a consumer-ready product through iterative funding rounds and community engagement.

3 médias bonus

L'Atelier Galita • 199 implied HN points • 20 Jan 24
📰 News Media Journalism Funding Politics Online Platforms
  1. The Media is an alternative cooperative media outlet with a focus on independence, collaboration, and diversity.
  2. The Media faced challenges with funding due to a dysfunctional economic model and a shift towards advertising.
  3. Blast, a media outlet created by a former dissident of The Media, gained more popularity despite both facing similar issues.

VC Don't Care About LTV/CAC Ratio ? | Hacking the VC process: Maximise Your Chance Of Getting Funded | VC Remote Jobs and More

Venture Curator • 299 implied HN points • 06 Oct 23
💼 Business Venture Capital Startup Entrepreneurship Investment Funding
  1. Investors obsess over the LTV/CAC ratio to gauge the potential return on investment and look for 'just-add-money opportunities.'
  2. Not all customers are equal; focusing on high-LTV customers can optimize customer acquisition efforts.
  3. VCs focus on CACD (Customer Acquisition Cost Doubled) to assess the time taken to recoup investments, emphasizing the importance of velocity over just the LTV/CAC ratio.

'You Can’t Raised Funding Without Using Old Sales-Marketing Funnel’ : Y-Combinator | VC Remote Jobs & More

Venture Curator • 219 implied HN points • 04 Dec 23
💼 Business Venture Capital Startup Funding Investment
  1. Raising funding requires utilizing the old sales-marketing funnel, according to Y-Combinator.
  2. Fundraising is a sales & marketing process and needs to be diligently managed, like any other sales campaign.
  3. Focus on engaging with the right investors, prioritize time management, and continuously work on building and managing a strong pipeline of potential investors.

How Can You Use Airbnb's & Stripe's Strategy To Build Your MVP? | The First Six Month Of Fundraising For NVIDIA | VC Remote Jobs & More

Venture Curator • 199 implied HN points • 11 Dec 23
💼 Business Startup Strategy Venture Capital Entrepreneurship Funding Technology
  1. Successful startups focus on building a Minimal Viable Product (MVP) with the 'Viable' part being crucial, not just the 'Minimal' part.
  2. Key to MVP success is launching quickly, getting feedback from customers, and iterating based on that feedback.
  3. Early adopters are crucial for testing MVPs; founders should build products for customers with urgent needs, even if the MVP is not perfect.

Rural Schools are the Epicenters of Rural Life

The View from Rural Missouri by Jess Piper • 258 implied HN points • 05 Oct 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Schools Funding Education
  1. Public schools are the heart of rural Missouri, playing a central role in the community's activities and connections.
  2. Missouri faces challenges with funding its public schools, ranking at the bottom in funding compared to other states.
  3. Defunding public schools through voucher schemes can significantly impact rural communities by leading to school closures, economic setbacks, and educational disruption.

June 2024 update

Opral (lix & inlang) • 19 implied HN points • 15 Jul 24
💼 Business Startups Investment Entrepreneurship Funding Innovation
  1. The company did not raise the seed funding they wanted, but they see this as a good opportunity to speed up their progress. They can now change their plans without depending on investor demands.
  2. By breaking away from git compatibility, they hope to reduce their requirements and reach monetization quicker in the future. This means their next funding round will need less money.
  3. At a recent conference, they got helpful feedback on how to pitch their product effectively. They learned not to compare their product to others to avoid confusion and that one specific term resonated well with their audience.

The Risk of RISC-V: What's Going on at SiFive?

More Than Moore • 405 HN points • 24 Oct 23
🕹 Technology Semiconductor RISC-V Funding
  1. RISC-V is a royalty-free alternative for core architectures with high adoption in low-end core space.
  2. SiFive, a major player in RISC-V, has experienced significant layoffs and a shift towards focusing on custom cores.
  3. There is speculation around SiFive's investor funding situation, but the company has clarified that they are well-funded and continuing to enhance their product roadmap.

Hard Times on the Social Change Frontlines

theconnector • 235 implied HN points • 23 May 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social Change Funding
  1. Social change organizations face internal challenges in terms of leadership, finances, and alignment of goals.
  2. Progressive organizations are experiencing economic pressures and a disconnect between younger and older staff.
  3. Advocacy work is primarily funded by major philanthropies, leading to dynamic leadership but potentially poor management decisions.