The hottest Investment Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Business Topics

How to Lose Money Quickly

Very Fine Day • 42 implied HN points • 19 Mar 23
💼 Business Investment
  1. Success in media is not just about the idea or people, it's often about the money and big expectations
  2. Many large investments in media brands are more about power and influence than profit
  3. Creating a successful media brand requires starting small, being nimble, and not just throwing money at the problem

David vs. Goliath — Doubling down on David Energy to build a cleaner, more efficient and resilient energy future for us all

Equal Ventures • 19 implied HN points • 28 Mar 22
💼 Business Investment
  1. Investing in energy management technology for buildings can be a strategic and cost-effective path to decarbonization.
  2. Providing energy services for free can lead to significant savings for customers and open up new monetization paths.
  3. David Energy's approach leverages energy market volatility as an opportunity and demonstrates network effects within the power industry.

Disney secures a $1.5B stake in Epic Games

philsiarri • 22 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
💼 Business Investment
  1. Disney has invested $1.5 billion in Epic Games.
  2. The partnership aims to blend Disney's characters with the Fortnite platform using Epic's Unreal Engine.
  3. This collaboration signifies Disney's big entry into the gaming world with potential for significant growth.
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The Next Mile in the Journey — Congratulations to SmartHop on their Series A led by USV

Equal Ventures • 39 implied HN points • 10 Feb 21
💼 Business Investment
  1. SmartHop closed a $12m Series A round led by Union Square Ventures, a significant milestone demonstrating their impact in the industry.
  2. By partnering with brokers and enhancing load network efficiency, SmartHop offers better rates for drivers and cost savings without increasing IT budget.
  3. SmartHop's platform empowers truckers by providing tools to grow their businesses, enabling them to earn livable wages and supporting them through challenges like the pandemic.

Welcoming David Energy to the Equal Ventures family

Equal Ventures • 39 implied HN points • 09 Feb 21
💼 Business Investment
  1. Equal Ventures welcomes David Energy to their family, focusing on using technology to address climate change challenges.
  2. Commercial buildings offer significant opportunity for energy efficiency improvements, with estimates suggesting major carbon footprint reduction is possible through real-time energy management solutions.
  3. David Energy aims to revolutionize energy management by providing real-time solutions, potentially democratizing access to leading energy management capabilities.

America's Economy Was Bigger Than We Thought

Apricitas Economics • 26 implied HN points • 03 Oct 23
💰 Finance Investment
  1. The US economy was actually larger than previously believed due to comprehensive revisions in GDP data.
  2. America's investment boom was stronger than initially reported, with notable upgrades in real fixed investment across sectors like housing and manufacturing.
  3. Revisions to US GDP data included improved methodologies, extensive data integration, and new data series to enhance the accuracy of measuring economic growth.

Congratulations to Leap on its $50M Series B

Equal Ventures • 19 implied HN points • 28 Jan 22
💼 Business Investment
  1. Leap, a retail platform, raised $50M in its Series B led by BAM Elevate, showing significant growth post-pandemic.
  2. Covid accelerated digital transformation, impacting the retail sector, but Leap's unique business model simplified complexities and drove costs down, leading to industry-leading results.
  3. With this funding, Leap plans to scale its platform from dozens to hundreds of locations, meeting customer demand and enhancing profitability for both the company and its customers.

Startup stock options: Liquidity options

Brick by Brick • 18 implied HN points • 26 Feb 24
💰 Finance Investment
  1. Common shares vs Preferred shares: Know the differences. Common shareholders may face challenges like Right of First Refusal (ROFR) when transacting with their shares.
  2. Liquidity avenues for startup common shares include IPOs (least likely), M&A, tender offers, private share sales, and equity financing. Each option comes with its own set of complexities and approvals.
  3. Preferred shareholder rights like Liquidation Preference and Participation Right can significantly impact common shareholders during exits, potentially wiping out their earnings completely. Understanding these rights is crucial in startup shareholder dynamics.

Lutnick Goes to Washington

Net Interest • 8 implied HN points • 22 Nov 24
💼 Business Investment
  1. Interdealer brokers connect traders without revealing who they are. This helps big companies make deals quietly, without affecting the market price.
  2. Even in a world dominated by technology, many traders still value personal interaction and market insights from human brokers. These brokers can find the best prices and handle complex trades in ways machines can't.
  3. Howard Lutnick's story is compelling, especially given his background and experiences. His role as a leader in interdealer broking may influence his approach as Commerce Secretary.

3/31/22 Digest New Format! The Death of Community Group Buying

Tech Buzz China Insider • 19 implied HN points • 01 Apr 22
💼 Business Investment
  1. Community group buying is facing challenges and changes, with notable shifts in established platforms like Meituan, Pinduoduo, and Alibaba.
  2. Rural e-commerce seems more promising than urban e-commerce in the community group buying sector, showcasing higher buying frequencies.
  3. The cold chain issues, lack of profitable unit economics, and the decline in investment indicate the struggles within the community group buying market, with Pinduoduo positioned as a potential winner.

3/16/22 Digest New Format! The Official Word on Common Prosperity

Tech Buzz China Insider • 19 implied HN points • 29 Mar 22
💼 Business Investment
  1. China aims for 'Common Prosperity' balancing income levels without sacrificing prosperity.
  2. Key strategies include boosting resources for low-income earners, lowering barriers between regions, and fair tax distributions.
  3. Zhejiang chosen as a pilot zone for its advanced digital economy; China plans to export its 'Common Prosperity' methods worldwide.

Nerds have an advantage

Klement on Investing • 3 implied HN points • 06 Jun 25
😂 Humor Investment
  1. Being a nerd can give you an advantage in life and skills. Nerds tend to work smarter, making them more efficient.
  2. Chimpanzees that are skilled at cracking nuts show that experience and technical ability lead to better outcomes. This suggests that practice and learning pay off.
  3. In the long run, those who master their skills can invest time into other things like relationships and education, leading to more success overall.

Input Metrics for SEO

The SEO MBA • 32 implied HN points • 31 Mar 23
💼 Business Investment
  1. SEO success depends on more than just the SEO team - it's a cross-functional effort.
  2. Use input metrics, not just output metrics, to drive buy-in for SEO programs.
  3. Choosing measurable input metrics and evolving them over time helps predict success and guide actions for SEO programs.

What happens when you ask 146 economists the same question?

Klement on Investing • 2 implied HN points • 24 Jul 25
💰 Finance Investment
  1. When 146 economists analyzed the same data about a policy, they found similar results despite minor differences in their estimates. This suggests that economists can broadly agree when working with the same information.
  2. The researchers found that differences in opinions among economists often arise from how they interpret data and their theoretical models. So, disagreements aren't always about facts but can depend on personal beliefs and biases.
  3. The study showed that with clear instructions and the same data, economists tend to reach almost the same conclusions. This challenges the idea that economists will always have conflicting views.

untitled map app says goodbye

an email from eugene • 1 HN point • 30 Apr 24
💼 Business Investment
  1. Building a startup with remote cofounders is challenging; physical proximity is crucial in the early stages.
  2. When combining a project with a full-time job, clear agreements on expectations and future plans are essential to prevent stalling and conflicts.
  3. Discussing and establishing clear responsibilities and boundaries with your cofounder from the beginning is crucial to avoid uncertainty and mismatched expectations.

Eight secrets to getting rich by Felix Dennis

A Bit Gamey • 6 implied HN points • 05 Jan 25
💼 Business Investment
  1. You need more than just desire to get rich; you have to be really compelled to succeed.
  2. It's important to cut out negative influences in your life and stay focused on your goals.
  3. Great ideas don't matter as much as actually getting things done well, so focus on execution.

Don't Read, Listen

Magis • 27 implied HN points • 15 May 23
💼 Business Investment
  1. The post discusses an interview on the Alternative Data Podcast about Cybersyn and Coatue.
  2. The interview reflects on topics like culture at Cybersyn, alternative data adoption in asset classes, and opportunities in the public sector.
  3. The post suggests subscribing to the author's writing to stay informed.

How things work at Kima Ventures

Venture Prose • 79 implied HN points • 01 Feb 19
💼 Business Investment
  1. Kima Ventures tracks dealflow opportunities using in-house tools, not CRM platforms, and follows a weekly workflow for managing new opportunities.
  2. They manage meetings and communication by logging them on Google Calendar and Airtable, aiming to keep to-do lists short and manageable.
  3. The team has efficient processes for decision-making, investing, and portfolio management, utilizing various tools and software for tracking deals and progress.

Minimum Viable Raise

Aashay's Newsletter • 4 HN points • 22 Aug 23
💼 Business Investment
  1. Startups should consider raising a little more capital upfront to have adequate resources for product development and market introduction.
  2. As software markets evolve, buyer expectations increase, and ventures now penetrate traditional sectors with longer sales cycles.
  3. Founders may need to adjust their mindset and be open to raising more capital initially to navigate the changing landscape of startup financing.

Boost German consumption, blow up more ATMs

Klement on Investing • 2 implied HN points • 11 Jul 25
💰 Finance Investment
  1. Germans save more and spend less compared to other Europeans, often preferring cash over digital payments. This is influenced by a cultural focus on privacy and past experiences with authoritarian regimes.
  2. Cash is less convenient as it requires ATMs, and when ATMs are unavailable, people tend to use electronic payments more. This shift can lead to increased spending as people don't 'feel' the money leaving their wallets.
  3. Researchers found that locations with bombed ATMs saw a temporary increase in spending. Therefore, limiting ATM access could be a quirky way to encourage more consumer spending in Germany.

Arbitrage Betting, Chinese Businessmen & Real-Life Freerolls

Lucky Maverick • 2 implied HN points • 15 Jul 25
💰 Finance Investment
  1. When the risks are low, it's smart to take more chances and try new things. Don't just focus on being right, but rather on the potential benefits from your experiments.
  2. Arbitrage betting can help you find profitable situations, even if it doesn't guarantee success on both sides. Use it as a way to identify when market prices might be wrong.
  3. Look for 'freerolls' in life where you can gain benefits without much risk. These opportunities can lead to positive outcomes, even if they seem small at first.

The Rebirth of Retail

Equal Ventures • 19 implied HN points • 08 Sep 21
💼 Business Investment
  1. Establishing a shared offline retail platform using data optimization can result in a monopolistic advantage.
  2. Leap, a retail platform, showed resilience during the pandemic and demonstrated success in improving store performance and payback periods.
  3. The platform dynamics of Leap have led to lower operating costs, higher revenue, and increased brand trust, positioning it as an effective retail platform.

An Illumina Sequencer In The Year 2000?

ASeq Newsletter • 14 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🔬 Science Investment
  1. With proper investment, Illumina-style sequencing could have been developed 6 years earlier.
  2. Access to capital was crucial for the success of sequencing technologies.
  3. Investors prioritize attracting next round investments over the fundamental value of technology.

Data Update 4 for 2022: Risk = Danger + Opportunity!

Musings on Markets • 19 implied HN points • 09 Feb 22
💰 Finance Investment
  1. Risk is both danger and opportunity. Taking big chances can lead to rewards, but it also comes with the possibility of losing money.
  2. It's important to balance between risk and reward. If you don't expect a good return from a risky investment, you might be wasting your time.
  3. Real risk comes from not knowing the future, not just bad outcomes. It's about the uncertainty of what may happen next.

Green investing with a vengeance

Klement on Investing • 2 implied HN points • 23 Jun 25
💰 Finance Investment
  1. After the last election, Republicans cut back on their green investments significantly, while Democrats tended to invest a bit more in green funds.
  2. Overall, green fund investments dropped by about 2.9% after the election, but this varied among different groups of investors.
  3. Some people invested more in green funds not because they thought they would do better, but to show their commitment to green investing, even as a way to oppose Trump's policies.

Issue #142: Kraken’s Crypto Payments Bet, Bud’s AI Move And PIX's Continued Expansion

Fintech Radar • 4 implied HN points • 13 Feb 25
🔮 Crypto Investment
  1. Kraken has started a new crypto payments service, helping businesses accept digital currencies. This could revive interest in crypto payments, especially as the regulatory environment improves.
  2. Brazil's Pix payment system is expanding its features with recurring payments, potentially opening up a $30 billion opportunity. This makes Pix a stronger competitor against traditional payment networks.
  3. Bud launched an AI-powered search tool for financial transactions, helping banks better understand customer data. This could change how banks manage data and improve services like lending and fraud detection.

Exactly how damaging is fiscal policy uncertainty?

Klement on Investing • 2 implied HN points • 18 Jun 25
💰 Finance Investment
  1. Fiscal policy uncertainty can harm economic activity by making businesses hesitant to invest. When companies can't predict future costs or regulations, they cut back on spending and projects.
  2. Research shows that a small increase in fiscal policy uncertainty can lead to significant slowdowns in industrial production and stock market performance. This lingering uncertainty can last for months and hurt overall growth.
  3. Increased uncertainty can also raise the borrowing costs for governments. Higher interest payments can lead to billions more in expenses, which can impact public services and budgets.

Day 2: A Comedy of Errors

Malt Liquidity • 6 implied HN points • 04 Nov 24
💰 Finance Investment
  1. Following rules can be tough, especially in trading. Straying from common advice can lead to mistakes, like taking on too much risk or not using stop losses.
  2. Taking on a large position without proper planning can result in big losses. It's essential to manage your trade size and understand the potential consequences of your decisions.
  3. Trading simulations can be a fun way to learn, but they also have strict limits. It's important to adapt your strategies to fit the rules of the system you're using.

Popes are good for business

Klement on Investing • 2 implied HN points • 13 Jun 25
💼 Business Investment
  1. Pope John Paul II traveled to many countries, visiting 129 in total, which is more than all the previous popes combined. His trips brought attention to smaller and developing nations.
  2. Visits from the pope seem to boost trade for the countries he visits. This is especially true for poorer nations, which can get international focus during his trips.
  3. Countries with a large Catholic population see an even bigger increase in trade after a papal visit. The pope acts like a powerful trade ambassador when he travels.

Finding The Next Warren Buffett-Style Investment: Chris DeMuth

QTR’s Fringe Finance • 12 implied HN points • 28 Feb 24
💰 Finance Investment
  1. Chris DeMuth Jr. aims to find hidden value in investments rather than seeking stock picking grandeur like Warren Buffett.
  2. Warren Buffett's successful investments with Berkshire Hathaway have resulted in substantial gains over the years, dwarfing many other financial endeavors.
  3. Investors have benefitted immensely by sticking with Warren Buffett over the long term, showcasing the power of patience and consistent investment strategies.

The Demise of Credit Suisse

Net Interest • 23 implied HN points • 24 Mar 23
💰 Finance Investment
  1. Credit Suisse faced financial downfall despite strong past performance.
  2. Mismanagement of assets and poor decisions led to diminishing returns for Credit Suisse.
  3. Regulatory changes and loss of competitive edge in private banking contributed to Credit Suisse's decline.

Quant Letter: August 2023, Week 5

The Parlour • 17 implied HN points • 30 Aug 23
💰 Finance Investment
  1. The post is about the Quant Letter for August 2023, Week 5.
  2. The newsletter includes quantitative finance insights and information.
  3. There are links to papers on SSRN related to cryptocurrency replication and news data impact on trading decisions.