The hottest Investments Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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ServiceTitan files to go public, Substack-o-nomics and please don't scratch my Bakkt

Alex's Personal Blog • 65 implied HN points • 19 Nov 24
💰 Finance Investments
  1. ServiceTitan is planning to go public, targeting a large market in the trades with software and fintech services. This shows there's strong potential for growth in this essential industry.
  2. The company has attracted significant investment from top venture capital firms, indicating confidence in its business model and future profitability.
  3. Going public will benefit not only ServiceTitan but also the investors, providing them with returns after a long wait for exits.

What is the Erdmann Housing Tracker?

Erdmann Housing Tracker • 42 implied HN points • 27 Feb 25
💰 Finance Investments
  1. Most posts are free, but some are paid to provide deeper insights on the housing market and investments.
  2. The Erdmann Housing Tracker helps analyze home prices based on supply, credit, and cyclical factors.
  3. Paid posts often include investment ideas and trends in new home construction to help with economic decisions.

More Vertical Fintech, Please

Equal Ventures • 39 implied HN points • 23 Feb 23
💼 Business Investments
  1. Combining vertical software with fintech can create powerful business opportunities, leveraging market nuances to enhance efficiencies and insights.
  2. It's challenging to build defensible financial services independently, but merging them with workflow software can increase market size and potential revenue streams.
  3. Markets with low digital penetration offer ripe opportunities for vertical SaaS and fintech integration, attracting investments across various sectors for this innovative approach.

Will all this AI investment pay off?

How the Hell • 98 implied HN points • 30 Jun 24
💰 Finance Investments
  1. There's a big debate about whether the money being spent on AI will actually lead to good returns. Some think it's like the dotcom bubble, where lots of investments were made without solid profits.
  2. For AI investments to really pay off, AGI (Artificial General Intelligence) needs to be created, and it must come from the companies that investors are backing today. If it comes from new, unseen companies, current investors might not benefit.
  3. Many things need to align for investors to make money from AGI, like avoiding human extinction and ensuring that money still means something in a future shaped by AGI. The odds of everything working out perfectly are pretty low.

More on Follow-Ons

Venture Upward • 19 implied HN points • 30 Jan 24
💼 Business Investments
  1. Follow-ons in venture capital are for earning money from carry, not for just building a track record.
  2. Increasing investment in subsequent rounds can escalate downside risk without similar upside benefits.
  3. Being strategic about follow-on investments in portfolio companies is crucial to avoid excessive risk and maximize returns.
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Erb and Harvey are at it again

Klement on Investing • 3 implied HN points • 16 Dec 25
💰 Finance Investments
  1. Gold has had a huge rally, rising more than 50% in about ten months and breaching record highs around $4,000/oz, which has reignited investor enthusiasm and big price forecasts.
  2. Academic analysis says gold has not been a reliable inflation hedge over typical investment horizons and that high current prices tend to predict poor future real returns, so lofty prices imply limited expected gains.
  3. The rise of gold ETFs created a steady, structural demand that lifted prices, and the only realistic way to trigger much more demand would be a regulatory change letting commercial banks hold gold as reserves — something that looks unlikely.

Jumping the Shark

The Last Bear Standing • 55 implied HN points • 29 Nov 24
💰 Finance Investments
  1. The stock market is moving up quickly, with some stocks seeing huge gains in just a short time. It feels like the excitement from early 2021 is returning.
  2. Investors are showing great interest in areas like cryptocurrencies and quantum computing, leading to sudden spikes in these stocks. This might remind people of past market trends.
  3. There's a sense of irrational confidence in some investments, which can lead to risky behavior. The market is moving in unpredictable ways, and that's something to watch closely.

Fed Stonewalls Synapse FOIA Request

Fintech Business Weekly • 44 implied HN points • 19 Jan 25
💰 Finance Investments
  1. The Cash App recently settled legal issues, which included fines for not properly handling anti-money laundering rules. They also agreed to improve their security and support for users.
  2. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau released a report on 'buy now, pay later' services, revealing that many loans are small but often lead users to take out multiple loans at once.
  3. There are ongoing concerns about transparency from banking regulators, especially regarding their responses to Freedom of Information Act requests, indicating a gap between what they promise and what they deliver.

Regulators Should Conduct "Material Loss Review" Of Synapse Disaster

Fintech Business Weekly • 52 implied HN points • 08 Dec 24
💰 Finance Investments
  1. Regulators should look into the Synapse disaster to understand what went wrong. This could help prevent similar issues in the future.
  2. There is a significant amount of lost funds that still needs to be clarified, impacting many users. Authorities need to take responsibility and provide transparency.
  3. The emotional toll on the people affected is serious, as highlighted by the Synapse trustee's feelings during court. Many end users are suffering and need answers.

VyStar Invested $20M Into “Dysfunctional” Nymbus; “Botched” Transition Led To Consent Order, $1.5M Penalty

Fintech Business Weekly • 59 implied HN points • 03 Nov 24
💼 Business Investments
  1. VyStar Credit Union faced major issues after investing $20 million in Nymbus due to a failed transition to a new online banking platform.
  2. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ordered VyStar to pay a $1.5 million penalty for unfair practices during the transition process, which left customers unable to access their accounts.
  3. Nymbus is currently involved in multiple legal disputes with clients, claiming it failed to deliver promised services and is now reportedly trying to extort money from a former customer.

Welcoming Ali Afridi Back to Equal Ventures

Equal Ventures • 19 implied HN points • 16 Jan 24
💼 Business Investments
  1. Ali Afridi is rejoining Equal Ventures as a Principal, bringing a valuable blend of experiences in entrepreneurship and VC insights.
  2. Equal Ventures is shifting towards competitive specialization in founder support, aiming to offer comprehensive expertise to portfolio companies.
  3. The team at Equal Ventures has evolved its structure to maximize support for seed stage founders, leveraging a mix of industry leads, product owners, and experts like Ali Afridi.

Welcome to Tim Culpan's Substack

Tim Culpan’s Position • 59 implied HN points • 13 Apr 23
💼 Business Investments
  1. Tim Culpan plans to share exclusive insights and updates through his Substack. You can expect valuable content even if there are only a few emails per month.
  2. He hints that the subscription will likely be free for a long time, so it's low-risk for readers. Signing up won't hurt, and it can easily fit in with other newsletters.
  3. All the posts and opinions shared here are personal and not connected to his work at Bloomberg. So, it's a space for his own thoughts.

December 2024 Inflation

Erdmann Housing Tracker • 42 implied HN points • 15 Jan 25
💰 Finance Investments
  1. December 2024 saw important updates about inflation. This is something people need to keep an eye on for their finances.
  2. There's a focus on housing data, which is crucial as it can greatly affect the economy and people's living situations.
  3. Subscribing to this housing tracker gives access to ongoing insights. This can help people stay informed about market changes.

Case-Shiller: National House Price Index Up 2.3% year-over-year in May

CalculatedRisk Newsletter • 14 implied HN points • 29 Jul 25
💰 Finance Investments
  1. In May, the national house prices increased by 2.3% compared to last year. This shows the market is still growing, but the growth is slowing down.
  2. The数据显示，房价在5月出现了连续三个月的月度下降. This means the prices are going down a bit after rising for a while.
  3. Some cities are seeing bigger drops, like San Francisco, where prices fell 8.2%. This suggests that not all areas are doing well in the housing market.

The thing about stocks and interest rates…

Jon’s Newsletter • 59 implied HN points • 06 Mar 23
💰 Finance Investments
  1. Interest rates are a big deal for the stock market, and higher rates can make investors nervous about how companies will perform. Stock prices might drop if rates keep rising.
  2. Although stocks have bounced back from lows, past market losses have affected confidence. Some experts think the economy is in decent shape, which could help weather rate increases.
  3. Bear markets usually last a while after the last rate hike, suggesting tough times ahead. But this bear market started before the first rate hike, which is something to consider for those hoping for a quicker recovery.

The US Buys Rare Earths—Is Gold Or Silver Next?

QTR’s Fringe Finance • 15 implied HN points • 10 Jul 25
💰 Finance Investments
  1. The US government is investing in rare earth supplies, buying a stake in MP Materials. This means they want to ensure they have critical materials for things like electric cars and military equipment.
  2. This deal shows the US is trying to reduce reliance on other countries, especially China, for important resources. They want to secure their own supply chains.
  3. There is speculation that this could lead to the nationalization of other essential resources in the future, like gold or silver. It's a sign that the government is thinking about taking control of more critical assets.

What happened in marketing: Meta is cooked, Microsoft goes big and TikTok's last hope

The Social Juice • 39 implied HN points • 05 Jan 25
💼 Business Investments
  1. Microsoft is investing heavily in AI, planning to put $80 billion into data centers this year. This shows their commitment to growing their technology influence.
  2. Meta is facing serious challenges and has decided to remove certain AI character accounts, signaling struggles in their strategy.
  3. TikTok is in a critical situation and needs to find new ways to maintain its user engagement and popularity.

290 Cybersecurity Funding Rounds, 160 Acquisitions

The Security Industry • 13 implied HN points • 23 Jul 25
💼 Business Investments
  1. In the first half of 2025, cybersecurity funding is on track to exceed $17 billion with 290 investment rounds already recorded. This shows that the industry is recovering and thriving.
  2. Artificial Intelligence security companies are gaining attention and investments, representing 16% of the total funding this year. Data Security and Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) sectors are also popular among investors.
  3. There have been 160 acquisitions in the cybersecurity space, which is slightly higher than the previous year. This suggests that companies are eager to invest in cybersecurity to boost their portfolios.

Sailpoint’s lonely IPO accelerates

Alex's Personal Blog • 32 implied HN points • 11 Feb 25
💼 Business Investments
  1. SailPoint is moving forward with its IPO and has increased its share price range, suggesting a positive market for tech companies. This shows there is still interest in new technology offerings despite some hesitation from other firms.
  2. Startups are reaching $100 million in annual recurring revenue faster than before, making it easier to attract investors. This shift indicates that the traditional milestones for going public are changing.
  3. Shopify had strong revenue growth, but its future profit expectations worried some investors. This illustrates the challenges companies face in today's tough market, even if they are performing well.

CG Capital Markets Says Buy Oxford Nanopore

ASeq Newsletter • 14 implied HN points • 09 Jul 25
💰 Finance Investments
  1. Canaccord Genuity recommends buying shares of Oxford Nanopore with a target price of 180 pence. They think the company has potential, but their analysis might not be fully accurate.
  2. The report mentions improvements in the device's output, specifically increasing throughput to 290 gigabases. However, some argue that this figure is just the maximum and not always achievable.
  3. There are concerns that the analysis lacks critical depth and may take company statements at face value without questioning them. Some models are suggested to be more attractive than Oxford's claims.

New Wave 🌊 One Year In 🎂 Hiring 🔥

Venture Prose • 99 implied HN points • 28 Feb 22
💼 Business Investments
  1. New Wave venture firm achieved impressive results in just one year: 10 investments, 22M€ deployed, 6 rounds announced, and 265M€ raised by portfolio companies. Their IRR stands at 500% and TVPI at 3x.
  2. New Wave focuses on seed deals and carefully selects companies on the critical path between Seed and Series A, emphasizing building strong equity stories with founders.
  3. New Wave is looking to hire individuals with key attributes such as the ability to sift through data effectively, form and defend opinions thoughtfully, and cultivate strong relationships.

Let's just value OpenAI at infinite money and be done with it

Alex's Personal Blog • 32 implied HN points • 31 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Investments
  1. OpenAI's valuation is getting a huge boost, potentially reaching $300 billion. This shows how confident some big investors are about its future.
  2. Major companies like Intel, Apple, and Atlassian are recently reporting their earnings, with some beating expectations while others struggle.
  3. There's a chance of new tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico, and possibly China, which could impact business hopes and trade relations.

Seoul Searching

Net Interest • 14 implied HN points • 27 Jun 25
💰 Finance Investments
  1. KakaoBank in Korea has seen its stock rise significantly because it is preparing for the arrival of stablecoins. They filed trademark applications to be ready for changes in the market.
  2. In contrast, traditional banks like Bank of America are still unsure about stablecoins and how impactful they will be.
  3. KakaoBank's growth reflects the changing attitudes toward digital assets in South Korea, showing how new opportunities can arise from the digital finance sector.

The proposal that got me my $100/hour contract

Technology Made Simple • 59 implied HN points • 20 Aug 22
💼 Business Investments
  1. Craft proposals that are specific to your target audience to make them more appealing. Highlight how your ideas can add value.
  2. When negotiating, consider incorporating both positive and negative aspects ("the carrot and the stick") to emphasize the benefits of your proposal.
  3. Take your time when developing proposals; rushing can lead to missed opportunities. Building strong foundations is key to achieving better results.

Apollo's Web

Net Interest • 12 implied HN points • 18 Jul 25
💰 Finance Investments
  1. Lockheed Martin transferred a large amount of pension obligations to Athene to reduce financial risk and focus on its main business.
  2. Athene, backed by Apollo Global Management, has rapidly grown its pension risk transfer business, sparking concerns about the safety of these arrangements for individuals.
  3. Some employees are worried that private equity's involvement in insurance may lead to higher risks and fewer protections for pension holders.

Face First

QTR’s Fringe Finance • 32 implied HN points • 24 Jan 25
💰 Finance Investments
  1. Cryptocurrency is becoming a major focus in the U.S., especially with recent government actions. This could be a sign of big changes in the stock market ahead.
  2. President Trump supports crypto by promoting regulations and aiming to make the U.S. a leader in this industry. This includes plans for a national Bitcoin reserve.
  3. There is still uncertainty about the long-term value of cryptocurrencies. People are wondering if they will actually be useful or if they might fail completely.

Rockets go up, learning Mandarin, and the good news for SaaS

Alex's Personal Blog • 32 implied HN points • 17 Jan 25
💼 Business Investments
  1. The launch of Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket was a success, marking a significant milestone in space exploration. Despite some setbacks, it showed progress in competing with other space companies like SpaceX.
  2. Duolingo is seeing a boost in interest and stock value as more people want to learn Mandarin due to changes in social media access. This trend suggests that more individuals may pursue learning different languages in the future.
  3. Public-market SaaS revenue multiples are currently stable, indicating a good environment for top cloud companies. This shows that, historically, it's a favorable time for generating market value in the SaaS sector.

9 Best Things of 2023

SatPost by Trung Phan • 100 implied HN points • 29 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Investments
  1. Create for yourself first - don't try to guess what others will like, make what you like.
  2. Having no investments can sometimes be the best investment strategy.
  3. Using two phones - one for productive tasks and one for distractions - can help increase focus and productivity.

3rd Look at Local Housing Markets in December

CalculatedRisk Newsletter • 28 implied HN points • 21 Jan 25
💰 Finance Investments
  1. California home sales increased by about 19.8% compared to last year in December. This shows a strong recovery in the housing market.
  2. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) expects the existing home sales report for December to reflect ongoing growth. This will mark the third month of year-over-year increases in home sales.
  3. There’s a general positive trend in the housing market after months of decline. It's a sign that more people are starting to buy homes again.

Inside Netflix's $150 Million Bet On Christmas Day NFL Games

Huddle Up • 31 implied HN points • 23 Dec 24
🎾 Sports Investments
  1. Netflix is investing $150 million in NFL games on Christmas Day. This is a big move as they try to attract more viewers.
  2. NBA viewership has dropped a lot recently, down over 25% compared to last year. This decline is making people worry about the sport's popularity.
  3. Despite NBA's falling ratings, they signed a massive $76 billion media rights deal. This shows that there's still a strong market interest in basketball, even if viewership is down.

DeepSeek: Does a Small AI Model Invalidate Big Models?

Jakob Nielsen on UX • 27 implied HN points • 30 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Investments
  1. DeepSeek's AI model is cheaper and uses a lot less computing power than other big models, but it still performs well. This shows smaller models can be very competitive.
  2. Investments in AI are expected to keep growing, even with cheaper models available. Companies will still spend billions to advance AI technology and achieve superintelligence.
  3. As AI gets cheaper, more people will use it and businesses will likely spend more on AI services. The demand for AI will increase as it becomes more accessible.

On building data-driven VC in Emerging Market firsthand

nonamevc • 8 implied HN points • 13 Aug 25
💼 Business Investments
  1. Data tools are essential for managing investments in multiple frontier markets. Without them, investors risk falling behind the competition.
  2. It's important to build a strong database that reflects local conditions since emerging markets don't follow the same growth patterns as startups in places like Silicon Valley.
  3. Combining different data signals provides better insights. Just looking at one metric isn't enough; you need to see the bigger picture to make smart investment decisions.

Economic Calendar for the Week of December 15, 2024

Alex's Personal Blog • 32 implied HN points • 15 Dec 24
💰 Finance Investments
  1. The economic calendar for the week includes important U.S. events like the NY Empire State manufacturing index and earnings from companies like Mitek.
  2. Global economic events will also take place, such as inflation rates in Italy and housing starts in Canada.
  3. It's a time to keep an eye on both domestic and international indicators that could impact the economy.

Why athletes like Cristiano Ronaldo and Max Verstappen are buying new private jets

Huddle Up • 23 implied HN points • 20 Feb 25
💼 Business Investments
  1. Many athletes, like Cristiano Ronaldo and Max Verstappen, are buying private jets for convenience and comfort on their travels.
  2. Ronaldo's jet, often said to cost $70 million, was actually used and likely bought for much less — he may have even leased it instead.
  3. Private jets can save time and offer luxury, but it's important to understand the full costs, including operation and maintenance.

The End of Private Equity's Golden Age

European Straits • 12 implied HN points • 11 Jun 25
💰 Finance Investments
  1. Private equity is facing a big change as key investors, like Yale and Harvard, are selling off their holdings. This shift raises questions about whether private equity is just going through another cycle or if there are deeper issues at play.
  2. Today, private equity is struggling to exit investments, meaning firms can't show returns, which makes it hard to attract new money. This cycle of problems is creating a 'velocity crisis' that could hurt the industry overall.
  3. The problems in private equity suggest that the strategies that worked for decades might not be effective anymore. Firms may need to rethink their models or focus on fewer, stronger investments to survive.

Energy Security Concerns Driving Low Carbon Investments

Helix • 19 implied HN points • 14 Feb 23
💰 Finance Investments
  1. The war in Ukraine has highlighted global energy security risks and increased focus on low carbon investments.
  2. Low carbon investments and M&A activities are rising due to the geopolitical shifts caused by the war
  3. The US Inflation Reduction Act of 2021 promotes green investment and aims to reduce emissions, jobs creation, and economic growth.

Free Money

The Odin Times • 19 implied HN points • 18 Jun 23
💼 Business Investments
  1. SEIS and EIS schemes in the UK offer tax relief for investing in startups, making government schemes ideal for angel investors.
  2. Investors can get up to 50% of their investment back as tax relief, and pay no capital gains tax on profits, de-risking the investment.
  3. SEIS and EIS have driven growth in the UK startup ecosystem and helped make the UK an attractive country for angel investors.

Social contagion

Interesting bits • 19 implied HN points • 15 Mar 23
💰 Finance Investments
  1. Banking regulations can impact the stability of financial institutions and the broader economy.
  2. Changes in interest rates and reporting practices can affect the financial health of banks.
  3. Social media and technology have transformed how individuals can influence markets and participate in financial activities.