The hottest Funding Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Science Topics
Kyle Poyar’s Growth Unhinged 433 implied HN points 10 Jan 24
  1. Rewind's success story includes starting with a different product and pivoting to a viral AI hit
  2. The decision to monetize from day one helped Rewind grow rapidly but required continuous iteration on pricing strategies
  3. Rewind's approach to leveraging product-led growth (PLG) includes emphasizing viral loops and frequent product launches
The View from Rural Missouri by Jess Piper 218 implied HN points 28 Sep 23
  1. School choice and school vouchers are considered scams by the author due to the privatization push in Missouri and the negative effects on public education.
  2. Separation of church and state is mentioned as a concern in the context of taxpayer money being funneled to private religious schools through voucher schemes.
  3. Legislators in Missouri, like Josh Hurlbert, are being scrutinized for their involvement in promoting 'Empowerment scholarship' programs despite the impact on public schools and taxpayers.
America 2.0 (by Gary Sheng) 216 implied HN points 23 Mar 23
  1. Web3 is changing how we fund public goods by encouraging individuals to contribute to funding infrastructure.
  2. Funding individuals, or 'Public Greats,' is essential for maximizing the impact of projects and ecosystems.
  3. Supporting Public Greats through Angel Investors and Mintable Milestones can free them from traditional grant application challenges and empower them to make a significant difference.
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ASeq Newsletter 29 implied HN points 02 Nov 24
  1. A new mailing list called Biofound has been started to connect biotech founders and people who want to help. It's a place for them to meet each other and collaborate.
  2. People can post about their startups if they're looking for co-founders, advisors, or technical help. You can even do this anonymously if you prefer.
  3. Unlike a previous list focused on funding, Biofound aims to facilitate general connections, helping people network beyond just seeking investment.
Alex's Personal Blog 32 implied HN points 25 Oct 24
  1. WeRide has gone public with its IPO priced at $15.50 per share, marking a significant milestone in the self-driving industry.
  2. Waymo is not far behind, successfully raising $5.6 billion to expand its autonomous driving services, showing strong commercial growth.
  3. As self-driving technology becomes more viable, we are likely to see more robotaxis operating in cities, which could change how we travel for the better.
Gotham by Susan Dyer Reynolds 196 implied HN points 07 Aug 23
  1. Jennifer Friedenbach is the executive director of Coalition on Homelessness and has faced criticism for her lack of qualifications and questionable financial decisions.
  2. The Coalition on Homelessness lacks transparency in their financial reports, with questionable classification of expenses and no clear demonstration of results.
  3. Friedenbach's involvement in conflicts of interest, such as granting her own nonprofit a large grant from an oversight committee she chairs, raises concerns about ethical practices in addressing homelessness issues.
James W. Phillips' Newsletter 196 implied HN points 01 Aug 23
  1. Proposing new scalable laboratory designs for innovative research
  2. Emphasizing the need for long-term, single-source funding for research labs
  3. Advocating for a non-academic research structure with shared resources and collaborative community
Oleksii Sidorov 815 HN points 29 Mar 23
  1. The Y Combinator program tends to treat all companies similarly, despite differences in stage and industry.
  2. The networking opportunities within the program may be limited due to the large number of companies and lack of common ground.
  3. The main value of participating in Y Combinator often revolves around fundraising, but the benefits may vary depending on the specific situation of the company.
Venture Curator 179 implied HN points 22 Sep 23
  1. The concept of the 'Babe Ruth Effect' in venture capital explains the importance of evaluating investments based on expected value analysis to achieve superior performance
  2. Deciding between prioritizing profitability or growth in startups depends on factors like market dynamics, access to funding, and business model, and it's crucial to understand where to focus at an early stage
  3. Successful venture capital funds exhibit a 'Babe Ruth Effect' by having more 'home run' investments of greater magnitude, even though they may also have a higher percentage of investments that lose money
Lolita's Newsletter 176 implied HN points 11 Jun 23
  1. LGBTQ+ community has significant spending power and presents a $3.7 trillion market opportunity.
  2. Investing in LGBTQ+-founded startups shows outsized returns and profitability.
  3. Encouraging investment in LGBTQ+-focused tech startups creates an inclusive tech industry with potential for exceptional returns.
Space Ambition 279 implied HN points 07 Apr 23
  1. Startups can benefit a lot from joining accelerators, like gaining knowledge and making useful connections. These programs can help them impress future investors as well.
  2. Choosing the right accelerator is important for success. Startups should research different programs to find one that matches their goals and needs, like focusing on specific markets.
  3. There are many accelerators for space tech, from global names like Techstars to specialized programs. Startups should apply quickly since application deadlines come up fast.
NEUROTECH FUTURES 79 implied HN points 03 Feb 24
  1. January 2024 was a busy month for neurotech funding, with companies like Motif Neurotech, Cognito Therapeutics, and Rune Labs securing significant investments.
  2. Commercial headlines in neurotech highlighted important developments from companies like Synchron, Neuralink, BIOS Health, and Magstim demonstrating progress in the industry.
  3. Neuroethics and society discussions included announcements for conferences, grants, and events focusing on the ethical implications and societal impact of neurotechnology.
Venture Curator 159 implied HN points 16 Jun 23
  1. Understanding funding runway and burn rate is vital for startup founders to secure necessary resources.
  2. Calculating gross burn rate and net burn rate is essential to determine the financial health of a startup.
  3. Maintaining transparency about financial runway and frequently communicating with investors are crucial for successful fundraising.
Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM 19 implied HN points 13 Jun 24
  1. The US is known for innovation, while China focuses on replicating those innovations. This creates a unique competitive landscape in the tech world.
  2. India's struggle with innovation is tied to a lack of funding for research. They receive much less public funding compared to other countries, especially the US.
  3. For India to improve its innovation capacity, it needs to invest more in human, physical, and financial capital. These resources are crucial for developing a strong innovative system.
The Down Round 78 implied HN points 18 Jan 24
  1. Startups need to focus on building sustainable business models for long-term growth and survival.
  2. Companies with high valuations must navigate carefully to achieve a 'soft landing' without damaging their cap tables.
  3. Entrepreneurs should consider various strategic and financial options, including debt and unconventional fundraising, to ensure business continuity.
Lolita's Newsletter 137 implied HN points 28 May 23
  1. The mental health market is projected to reach $537 billion by 2030 with opportunities for innovative solutions to improve lives.
  2. Stigma around mental health treatment is decreasing, with more people supporting individuals with mental illnesses to live full and productive lives.
  3. Various funding opportunities are available for founders, especially in the mental health and diverse founder spaces.
Concoda 437 implied HN points 18 Jun 23
  1. The repo market plays a crucial role in providing liquidity to the financial system globally.
  2. The repo market structure involves lenders like money market funds connecting with borrowers like hedge funds through various intermediaries.
  3. Recent changes in the repo market dynamics may lead to the Fed utilizing it as a tool for market stimulation.
Inverted J Curves 78 implied HN points 04 Jan 24
  1. Global VC investments decreased in 2023, especially in European tech.
  2. Funding for European early-stage companies remained steady, with higher valuations at pre-Series A companies.
  3. In the New Nordics, climate tech attracted the most funding, with predictions for a fundraising frenzy in 2024 and higher bar for early-stage funding.
The DisInformation Chronicle 535 implied HN points 14 Mar 23
  1. Researchers and the National Institutes of Health gamed the science - follow the documents, follow the money.
  2. Congress should demand that the NIH release documents hidden from reporters and investigate criminal misuse by virologists at USAID.
  3. Congress also needs to demand documents and financial records from university virologists funded by the NIH to get to the bottom of the pandemic's origins.
Lolita's Newsletter 58 implied HN points 11 Feb 24
  1. Lab-grown diamonds are trending, attracting over $10M in funding opportunities.
  2. In startup investment, there's a shift towards valuing business durability over growth obsession, with a focus on sectors like AI and defense.
  3. Founders have access to various funding opportunities ranging from grants for underrepresented groups to equity crowdfunding up to $5 million.
Japan Economy Watch 259 implied HN points 07 Dec 22
  1. Kishida's administration has postponed crucial decisions on tax breaks for startups and corporate tax hikes, potentially hindering economic growth and income redistribution.
  2. Access to funding remains a significant challenge for startups in Japan, impacting their growth potential compared to other countries. More support is crucial for new companies to thrive.
  3. Government actions such as expanding angel tax credits and implementing R&D tax credit carry-forwards can significantly boost support for startups and innovation in Japan.
Worcester Sucks and I Love It 117 implied HN points 24 Feb 23
  1. The proposed charter school by Old Sturbridge Village in Worcester is facing pushback due to concerns about how it will harm the public schools and students.
  2. The charter proposal lacks coherence and capacity, with doubts about its ability to deliver on its educational promises, especially for diverse learners.
  3. Approval of the charter would divert significant funds from the District and undermine the gains made by the Student Opportunity Act.
OpenTheBooks Substack 241 implied HN points 15 Nov 23
  1. Wealthy universities like Harvard received $45 billion in federal payments, tax breaks, and subsidies over the last five years.
  2. Top universities prioritized securing federal contracts and grants over student tuition, with $33 billion flowing to them annually.
  3. Elite universities also benefited from special tax treatment benefits on endowment gains and additional government subsidies.
joinmodulo 98 implied HN points 17 Feb 23
  1. Homeschooling is more affordable than you might think, with many families spending an average of $600-$1800/year on education.
  2. The biggest expense to consider when homeschooling is childcare, and families should explore creative solutions like swapping care with other parents.
  3. Consider the costs of living, such as housing near good schools, when evaluating the affordability of homeschooling.
The API Changelog 1 implied HN point 03 Jun 25
  1. Mistral AI has launched an Agents API that helps automate complex tasks for businesses. This can make workflows smoother by letting different AI agents work together.
  2. Coforge and Nylas have teamed up to improve communication in Salesforce with new APIs. This will help companies manage their messaging and scheduling more effectively.
  3. Blues, a company specializing in IoT solutions, raised $25 million to grow and innovate. They aim to turn regular products into smart devices with better connectivity.