The hottest Growth Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Business Topics

Dissecting Imposter Syndrome

The Leadership Lab • 39 implied HN points • 27 Aug 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Growth
  1. Imposter Syndrome is a common experience of uncertainty and self-doubt, often viewed negatively, but can actually indicate growth and being outside your comfort zone.
  2. Everyone, including experts, experiences uncertainty and struggles with knowing what they're doing in different domains. Embrace the discomfort of not knowing as part of the journey.
  3. Imposter Syndrome can stem from fear and comparison, but reframing it as a signal for growth and seeking support can help overcome it. Focus on purpose, face fears, and help others facing similar challenges.

Roast #30: Reflection on V4

thoughtfulcoffee • 39 implied HN points • 26 Sep 23
🍲 Food & Drink Growth
  1. Upgrading equipment is important for better results in coffee roasting.
  2. Improving shipping processes and communication can enhance customer experience.
  3. Growth in sales and efficiency is a positive sign for the business.

ONE SLIDE: Working on the Summary Review Materials for Econ 135: History of Economic Growth: The Post-1870 MEG-Economy

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 61 implied HN points • 25 Nov 24
🚌 Education Growth
  1. Most economic activity in history happened after 1870. This shows how rapidly the economy can grow in a short time.
  2. Students should have a simple, useful summary of post-1870 economic growth. This will help them during exams and in their future understanding.
  3. The summary should include both political-economic and technical aspects. It's important to see how these areas work together in shaping the economy.
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Arm's 2025 Q3 Financial Results

More Than Moore • 46 implied HN points • 06 Feb 25
💼 Business Growth
  1. Arm's recent financial results show a big increase in revenue, largely thanks to the growing demand for AI and new technology. They set records in both total and royalty revenues this quarter.
  2. The company is heavily investing in research and development, increasing their spending and hiring more engineers to stay competitive. This is helping them innovate and improve their products.
  3. Arm faces competition from other chip designers and ecosystems like RISC-V, so they must navigate these challenges carefully to maintain their market share and continue growing.

The 21 GTM Channels to grow your SaaS

Startup Business Tips 🚀 • 56 implied HN points • 15 Dec 24
💼 Business Growth
  1. There are 21 different channels to grow your SaaS business. Some channels focus on direct interactions, while others rely on partnerships and external platforms.
  2. When choosing a channel, consider your product's complexity, market maturity, and your team's skills. Not every channel works for every product.
  3. It's important to engage with your customers through valuable content and be visible on social media to attract and retain them.

9 tactics to get your first 50 SaaS customers in 2025

Startup Business Tips 🚀 • 47 implied HN points • 19 Jan 25
💼 Business Growth
  1. Networking can help you find your first SaaS customers. Reach out to people you know for introductions and referrals.
  2. Creating comparison and alternative pages on your website can attract customers in crowded markets. Show how your product stacks up against competitors.
  3. Understanding customer feedback is crucial. Ask customers how they heard about you and track why deals were lost to improve your sales process.

LLM links, 2/4

In My Tribe • 136 implied HN points • 04 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Growth
  1. Children learn by sensing and manipulating objects, which is expected to influence AI development.
  2. AI alignment issues are compared to human alignment issues, showing the importance of getting along in society.
  3. There are hard resource constraints that may limit extreme AI-driven growth, highlighting the importance of understanding these limits.

The Art of Stupid

The Palindrome • 5 implied HN points • 20 Nov 25
🚌 Education Growth
  1. It's okay to feel confused when learning something new. Embracing that feeling can actually help you learn better.
  2. Asking simple or 'stupid' questions is important for understanding. Don't be afraid to seek clarity on things you don't get.
  3. Worrying about how you look to others can hold you back. Focus on gaining knowledge instead of keeping up appearances.

The Journey of Glovo: Founder Sacha Michaud

The Healthtech Initiative • 1 implied HN point • 01 Feb 26
💼 Business Growth
  1. They tested an unscalable MVP and deliberately kept non-food categories even while losing money, which proved the "anything in your city" idea and let them pivot quickly to groceries during COVID.
  2. They expanded with small, scrappy launch teams who built local operations from the ground up, and those boots-on-the-ground employees became the strongest leaders because they had real skin in the game.
  3. They prioritized market leadership and capital efficiency, exiting losing markets and using logistics data to only enter cities and verticals they could serve under their 30-minute promise, a focus that helped drive their €2.3B acquisition.

Your guide to product-led sales

Kyle Poyar’s Growth Unhinged • 244 implied HN points • 22 Feb 23
💼 Business Growth
  1. Product-led sales is a combination of product usage and personalized sales assistance to convert users into revenue.
  2. Early adopters like Jesus Requena from Figma provide valuable guidance on implementing product-led sales effectively.
  3. Tools like Endgame can transform sales processes by providing relevant product telemetry and improving sales outreach.

do things that scare you

Stream of Consciousness • 19 implied HN points • 05 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Growth
  1. Setting instructions for yourself can guide your behavior and choices.
  2. Challenging yourself with things that scare you can prevent loss of motivation and lead to growth.
  3. Taking on daunting challenges, even if outside your comfort zone, can help you stay motivated and push yourself.

The Ultimate Guide to SaaS Pricing Pages

Good Better Best • 4 implied HN points • 14 Nov 25
💼 Business Growth
  1. A good pricing page needs to be clear and simple. It should help visitors understand what they will pay and what they will get in under a minute.
  2. Include key sections like a hero, pricing menu, feature comparison, and FAQ. These help guide potential customers through their decision-making process.
  3. Having clear calls to action in your pricing menu is important. Visitors should know exactly what steps to take after seeing the pricing options.

How we built a business out of recession - chapter 28 - lets get personal

The ZIPster • 44 implied HN points • 13 Dec 24
💼 Business Growth
  1. Running a small business means wearing many hats and staying proactive, especially when things get busy. It’s easy to forget important tasks when you're juggling too much at once.
  2. Bringing in the right people, like a good finance director, can really help keep a company on track, especially when cash flow is tight. That support can be a lifeline during tough times.
  3. Being mindful of your image and decisions is crucial in business. Making flashy choices can draw unwanted attention and distract from the goals you should be focusing on.

360° SaaS GTM assessment: 10 areas to diagnose your SaaS GTM health

Startup Business Tips 🚀 • 47 implied HN points • 17 Nov 24
💼 Business Growth
  1. Diagnosing your Go-To-Market (GTM) strategy is crucial for the success of your SaaS business. You need to have a clear plan before jumping into execution, or you might waste resources.
  2. Your GTM strategy should include elements like understanding your ideal customers, defining your market position, and creating clear messaging. This helps in attracting and converting potential clients effectively.
  3. Regularly reviewing both your GTM strategy and execution helps you identify what works and what doesn't. This way, you can adjust your tactics to improve performance and achieve your growth goals.

The Early-Stage Recruiting Trap

Tippets by Taps • 12 implied HN points • 24 Jul 25
💼 Business Growth
  1. Recruiting is crucial for startup success. If you don't make it a priority, you risk wasting your time and money.
  2. Everyone in the company should contribute to recruiting. Your team can help find great candidates through their networks.
  3. Good hires will help your business grow. Having the right people leads to better performance and less stress in the long run.

More Fast 50 Under Fifty

The Security Industry • 13 implied HN points • 16 Jul 25
💼 Business Growth
  1. There are many cybersecurity companies with fewer than 50 employees showing growth. In fact, there are currently 459 of them that have positive growth this year.
  2. Some companies from last year's Fast 50 list have continued to thrive and are on track to join a larger group called the Cyber 150.
  3. Tracking data helps identify which smaller companies are rising quickly in the cybersecurity field, making it easier to spot potential leaders.

The Transformer Playbook (with Metronome CEO Scott Woody)

Good Better Best • 2 implied HN points • 12 Dec 25
💼 Business Growth
  1. The shift from seat-based pricing to usage-based pricing is crucial for companies adopting AI. Charging based on usage aligns the price with the value delivered to customers.
  2. Legacy SaaS companies can benefit from existing distribution when launching AI features. By leveraging their customer base, they can quickly grow and adapt to new market demands.
  3. Successful transitions to new pricing models often start with experimentation. Companies can first launch AI features as add-ons before fully integrating them into their offerings.

How to get unstuck: 5 marketing thought experiments

MKT1 Newsletter • 3 implied HN points • 19 Nov 25
💼 Business Growth
  1. Using thought experiments can help marketers shake off rigid thinking and find fresh ideas. Trying out different scenarios forces creative solutions to the surface.
  2. Focusing on redistributing existing content rather than creating new content can lead to better results. This helps teams see the value in leveraging what they already have.
  3. Prioritizing lifecycle marketing and engaging existing leads instead of always chasing new ones can boost growth and improve ROI. It's crucial to not overlook your current audience.

Elitism as the Mid-Career Growth Engine

Data People Etc. • 170 HN points • 20 Feb 23
🚌 Education Growth
  1. Believing in tiers of skill in your craft and striving for the higher tier is important for growth.
  2. Elitism becomes useful in the mid-career stage, driving a mindset of determination and improvement.
  3. Adopting an opinionated mindset and aversion to lower-order practices can lead to creative expression and growth in your craft.

Q3 2023 Investor Update

Boxcar Joe's Newsletter • 19 implied HN points • 07 Nov 23
💼 Business Growth
  1. Boxcar's revenue is growing by 75% in Q3 2023 compared to Q3 2022, with expected growth of 100% by the end of 2023.
  2. In Q3, Boxcar upgraded its technology with two-way SMS capabilities, leading to improved customer interaction and engagement.
  3. The company's financials show positive trends, with increasing total bookings, membership revenue, and parking business expanding.

How to level your strategic thinking this week

Ruben Ugarte's Growth Needle™ • 19 implied HN points • 07 Nov 23
💼 Business Growth
  1. The Straight Line Framework helps you keep focus when working toward big goals, showing that paths can be curvy but still lead to your destination.
  2. The Undercurrent Framework is useful when you're unsure about the future, helping you to explore underlying emotions and trends.
  3. The Identity Shift Framework encourages you to change your perspective or approach, allowing you to find new solutions to problems.

Online attribution is dying. Clicks are dying. What should you do about it?

Nail It and Scale It • 1 HN point • 05 Aug 24
💼 Business Growth
  1. Online attribution isn't dead, but it's getting trickier. You might still be able to track how your ads are performing, especially if you're spending less than $10k a month.
  2. It's important to set up proper tracking for your marketing efforts. Tools like call tracking and unique landing pages can help you see where your customers are coming from.
  3. When attribution is tough, consider using estimates or lift analysis. These methods can help you guess how different marketing efforts contribute to sales, even if it's not perfect.

The Disposable Economy

The Polymerist • 116 implied HN points • 04 Aug 23
💼 Business Growth
  1. Tech companies rely on growth until they are profitable.
  2. Continuous cost cutting leads to disposable products in the economy.
  3. Startups can disrupt chemical industry by creating equivalent or substitute products.

Strategy ≠ shopping list

Strategy Notes • 19 implied HN points • 04 Apr 23
💼 Business Growth
  1. A strategy is not just a list of things to buy, it's more than that.
  2. The right kind of growth is important when considering strategy.
  3. A good strategy is not about purchasing new items, but about the core strategic planning and decision-making.

Suffering = Growth

Calvin’s Substack • 2 HN points • 24 Jun 24
💼 Business Growth
  1. Going through tough times can actually be a good thing. It helps you learn and get stronger, so it's important to keep going even when things get difficult.
  2. Having investors doesn't guarantee success. It's your team's hard work and the right ideas that truly matter in building something great.
  3. Surround yourself with the right people. Choosing good co-founders and team members is crucial because they help you navigate challenges and achieve your goals.

Clouded Judgement 6.27.25 - New Rules For a New Game

Clouded Judgement • 10 implied HN points • 27 Jun 25
💼 Business Growth
  1. Startups today need to move quickly to succeed. If they take too long, someone else might beat them to the market.
  2. It's important to focus on speed and iteration rather than making everything perfect. Getting things out quickly allows for faster feedback and improvement.
  3. Hiring fresh talent with new ideas is key. Businesses should seek leaders who can adapt to fast-changing markets rather than those who only know traditional methods.

Oxford Nanopore JPM Presentation Thoughts

ASeq Newsletter • 21 implied HN points • 14 Jan 25
💼 Business Growth
  1. Oxford Nanopore is showing 31% revenue growth, but this excludes some major projects like the Emirati Genome Project and COVID-related work. This might not give a full picture of their earnings.
  2. The company seems to rely heavily on a single new large customer for much of its revenue growth. This could be a risk if that customer changes or goes away.
  3. Historically, large customers can disappear when their projects finish, meaning Oxford Nanopore needs a steady influx of new clients to maintain growth.

The MKT1 Field Guide to B2B Startup Marketing

MKT1 Newsletter • 6 implied HN points • 31 Jul 25
💼 Business Growth
  1. Having a specific marketing strategy helps avoid random activities that don't contribute to goals. Focus on what works for your startup and stick to it.
  2. Your marketing efforts should combine 'fuel' (the content and messages you create) with an 'engine' (the channels and processes you use). Keep both balanced for better results.
  3. Building a strong marketing team involves hiring versatile members who can contribute to multiple areas. This approach helps create a more effective and adaptable marketing strategy.

The Ultimate SaaS Messaging Framework for early-stage Startups

Startup Business Tips 🚀 • 64 implied HN points • 07 Oct 23
💼 Business Growth
  1. Messaging is the foundation for sales & marketing assets like homepage, demos, sales decks.
  2. The 5-part Messaging Framework includes understanding the market, ideal customer profile, competitive alternatives, product, and value proposition.
  3. Creating your own Messaging Framework is essential for consistent communication and effective sales & marketing activities.

The 10 most common GTM myths about early-stage SaaS

Startup Business Tips 🚀 • 43 implied HN points • 27 Jan 24
💼 Business Growth
  1. Having a great product is not enough, you need effective marketing and sales to succeed.
  2. Adding a free plan may not always solve the problem of acquiring paying clients, and freemium may not be suitable for all businesses.
  3. Tracking lost reasons properly, understanding the value you offer, and analyzing churn are crucial aspects that impact the success of a SaaS business.

Ideas and Understanding: The first remedy for abnormality

Journal of Gurdjieff Studies • 19 implied HN points • 22 Dec 22
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Growth
  1. Understanding ideas requires more than surface-level knowledge – it involves applying them to life and letting them change us.
  2. Growth in understanding can lead to a sense of normality and unity within us, harmonizing our functions and thoughts.
  3. The concept of the 'law of three' by Gurdjieff suggests that every phenomenon results from three forces, with active, passive, and neutralizing elements.