The hottest Investors Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Finance Topics
The Dollar Endgame 718 implied HN points 29 Mar 24
  1. There is a movement to directly register the entire float of a company through the Direct Registration System (DRS), which allows investors to hold their securities in book entry form directly with the issuer.
  2. The growth in DRS registrations started to stall, leading to investigations about why the consistent buy volume and DRS transfer images were not reflecting in reports. Theories emerged about how shares are manipulated and moved between book and plan shares.
  3. Complexities in the market and opaque practices by institutions make it challenging for retail investors to understand the full picture. The DRS numbers may not reflect the complete truth due to potential manipulation and changing market dynamics.
The Bear Cave 513 implied HN points 24 Nov 24
  1. Multiple activist reports have raised concerns about major companies like Roblox, Oklo, and elf Beauty, suggesting issues of financial integrity and management competence. These reports could indicate potential future problems for these companies.
  2. Several key executives have recently resigned from their positions, including CEOs and CFOs from various companies. This turnover can point to instability within these organizations, potentially affecting their performance.
  3. There are ongoing investigations into companies like Zeta Global for unethical practices. Allegations of deceptive marketing and revenue manipulation highlight the importance of transparency in business.
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Newcomer 963 implied HN points 30 Jun 23
  1. Significant AI startup acquisitions and funding rounds indicate a strong interest in generative AI technology.
  2. Acquisitions like Thomson Reuter's $650 million purchase of Casetext show genuine value placed on generative AI by established companies.
  3. MosaicML, with a $1.3 billion acquisition by Databricks, is contributing to the hype around AI startups, despite some skepticism over valuation.
Martin’s Newsletter 707 implied HN points 20 Apr 23
  1. Healthcare costs are high due to limited supply of healthcare professionals, but AI could help increase efficiency.
  2. Investors are not as important for a startup's success as team motivation and technology advancement.
  3. Accelerationism advocates for technology benefits without excessive regulations, and AGI still faces challenges in planning and execution.
Venture Curator 399 implied HN points 12 Jan 24
  1. Investors may fund startups based solely on the idea, without requiring traction or revenue.
  2. Startups aiming for funding should focus on a scalable business model with evidence of potential growth.
  3. Key aspects for successful startup ideas include solving popular, urgent, and growing problems, starting with the problem before the solution, and having a clear unfair advantage.
Martin’s Newsletter 569 implied HN points 10 Jul 23
  1. The post includes a list of 1300 AI companies and 900 AI investors along with the top 50 companies by valuation.
  2. The author shares their personal 'Top 50' AI companies that reflect their personal interests and preferences.
  3. OpenAI is highlighted as a company with the potential to become a $1 trillion company due to talent, management, and the ability to put out better products faster than the competition.
A Letter a Day 550 implied HN points 13 Apr 23
  1. The project involves sharing letters from influential investors, founders, and operators.
  2. The bottom-up approach helps to understand industries and people by reading their published works and listening to their talks.
  3. The newsletter provides a diverse range of insights from various individuals across different sectors such as public markets, venture capital, private equity, founders, operators, and talent hubs.
Venture Prose 539 implied HN points 13 Aug 23
  1. Venture capital world has become overly competitive, leading to deals made without proper diligence or due consideration.
  2. Consensus in the industry spreads rapidly, leaving founders vulnerable to hype and unfounded opinions.
  3. Investors often don't provide enough guidance or mentorship to young founders, leaving them to run companies without sufficient support.
Venture Prose 738 implied HN points 15 Jan 23
  1. Investors in venture capital should not shy away from addressing sensitive topics with the founders they support, to avoid miscommunication and potential issues.
  2. Communication is key in maintaining productive relationships between investors and entrepreneurs. Creating an environment where feedback is welcomed and honest conversations can take place is crucial.
  3. Investors need to share observations directly with entrepreneurs, rather than gossiping or keeping concerns to themselves. Open dialogue and constructive conflict can lead to better outcomes for all parties involved.
Venture Curator 259 implied HN points 09 Jan 24
  1. Successful startups track LTV/CACD instead of LTV/CAC for better insight into customer acquisition efficiency and sustainability.
  2. The cost of attracting a new customer should be lower than the value extracted from that customer; all customers are not equal, and tracking LTV/CAC by customer cohort can help optimize customer acquisition efforts.
  3. Investors focus on the velocity with which invested acquisition costs come back as lifetime value; tracking LTV/CACD, with 'D' for 'doubled,' provides a better understanding of return on investment in a shorter time period.
Venture Curator 219 implied HN points 01 Feb 24
  1. Investors prioritize understanding the market opportunity over just focusing on market size. They want to see a detailed bottom-up approach that showcases how a business will attract and retain customers.
  2. Entrepreneurs should move away from the typical market size slide in pitches. Instead, they should emphasize showing investors a deep understanding of the market opportunity at an individual customer level.
  3. Investors are interested in startups that create new markets rather than compete in established markets. Building a bottom-up model focusing on customer acquisition and satisfaction is critical in pitching to investors.
Venture Curator 259 implied HN points 18 Dec 23
  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.
News Items 176 implied HN points 06 Feb 24
  1. Investors are pulling billions of dollars from China and shifting focus to India
  2. Wall Street giants like Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley are endorsing India as a prime investment destination
  3. India is becoming a popular choice for various global investment firms and even conservative investors
Venture Curator 239 implied HN points 17 Jul 23
  1. Investors protect themselves from downrounds by using Antidilution Protection, which adjusts share values to prevent loss in valuation.
  2. Down rounds can happen due to various reasons like market changes or financial needs, prompting founders to seek lower valuations for investment.
  3. There are two types of Antidilution Protection: Full Ratchet and Weighted Average, with Full Ratchet adjusting share prices based on new valuations to safeguard investors' investments.
ceonyc 235 implied HN points 05 Jun 23
  1. Organizers need to be intentional and curated in planning events to ensure value for everyone involved.
  2. Invite speakers with relevant experience and who are willing to provide honest and useful insights to the audience.
  3. Consider empathy towards attendees by managing event timings and providing opportunities for engagement without feeling trapped.
Space Ambition 279 implied HN points 05 May 23
  1. There are many global space conferences where people can network and share ideas. These events are great for anyone interested in space, from CEOs to scientists.
  2. The conferences cover a range of topics, including business, technology, and academic research. Each event offers chances to meet professionals and learn about the latest developments in space.
  3. Attending these conferences can help spark new ideas and connect people who may become future partners or clients in the space industry.
Venture Curator 139 implied HN points 29 Nov 23
  1. Avoid sending all your data to investors early on in the fundraising process, as it can hinder progress.
  2. Getting the first meeting with a VC might not be easy, but follow-up meetings can be harder to secure.
  3. Creating a data room and providing access too soon can lead to a lack of engagement from investors, leading to a failed fundraising process.
Venture Curator 179 implied HN points 25 Sep 23
  1. Achieving Product Market Distribution Fit (PMDF) is crucial for startup success, not just Product Market Fit (PMF). Channel selection plays a vital role in reaching target customers.
  2. Early investment in sales and marketing can lead to better business outcomes than solely focusing on product quality.
  3. Efficient distribution channels are essential for startup growth; understanding Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC) and Lifetime Value (LTV) ratio is key in achieving success.
Venture Curator 119 implied HN points 07 May 23
  1. Startup fundraising involves dilution and impacts founder equity, but understanding the process and planning can help founders maintain control of their company while securing needed funding.
  2. Dilution in startup funding happens when new shares are added, reducing existing shareholders' equity positions.
  3. Calculating the impact of dilution can help founders determine their ownership percentage after raising funds.
America in Crisis 39 implied HN points 26 Jan 24
  1. Different business cultures like stakeholder theory and shareholder capitalism lead to distinct stock market behaviors and attract different types of investors.
  2. The strategy of using share buybacks to boost earnings per share and stock prices can lead to acquisitions and positive market movements for growth stocks.
  3. The transition from stakeholder theory to shareholder primacy in business cultures can impact stakeholders like employees, customers, and the community, as seen in examples like Boeing's safety concerns.
Grant & Co 39 implied HN points 09 Dec 23
  1. Investors appreciate regular updates from entrepreneurs to stay informed about their investments.
  2. Market research costing $20k before launching a company can save millions by avoiding building the wrong product and lead to significant revenue growth.
  3. Distinguishing between VC and PE funding strategies, along with the importance of having a clear exit plan, is crucial for successful investments in the business world.
DeFi Education 299 implied HN points 26 Jan 22
  1. Pendle Finance focuses on decentralized yield trading, allowing investors to trade and maximize their yield. It's a new way for people to earn money on their crypto assets.
  2. There are various investors and top holders involved with Pendle, indicating interest and confidence in the platform. Knowing who the investors are can help understand the project's potential.
  3. The post mentions potential risks and security concerns associated with Pendle Finance. It's important to be aware of these factors when considering investment in any decentralized finance project.
Without Warning 39 implied HN points 19 Feb 23
  1. The purpose of stress tests for banks in peacetime is not necessarily to predict future crises, but to ensure banks have enough capital and that the tests are tough and variable.
  2. It's important for stress test scenarios to change and remain tough to prevent banks from manipulating their capital levels and misrepresenting their financial health.
  3. The public stress test process during peacetime may not have a significant impact on capital allocation to the banking sector, unlike crisis-time stress tests.