The hottest Startup Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Business Topics

Behind $800M in Funding: 25+ Successful Startup Pitch Decks 💰

The VC Corner • 699 implied HN points • 24 Aug 24
💼 Business Startup
  1. A good pitch deck shows what your business is about and why it's valuable. It helps convince investors to trust your project and consider investing.
  2. Successful pitch decks make complicated ideas easy to understand. This is important so investors know what you're offering, even if they aren't experts in your field.
  3. To stand out, you need to show what makes your business special. Highlighting your unique approach helps attract interest in a competitive market.

What Do You Invest in?

Pratyush’s Newsletter • 79 implied HN points • 16 Oct 24
💼 Business Startup
  1. Investors should look for unique founders who stand out with exceptional traits, like intelligence and grit. A well-rounded person often doesn't lead to great investments.
  2. Successful companies often become the top choice in their category and have strong characteristics that help them stay ahead. These can include tricky competition or special technology.
  3. Timing is crucial; it's better to invest in companies before they become popular in the market. If everyone's already paying attention, it might be too late to find a winner.

The Startup Pricing Journey 💸

The VC Corner • 439 implied HN points • 30 Jul 24
💼 Business Startup
  1. Pricing is super important for startups because it affects how customers see your product and can help grow your business.
  2. In the beginning, startups need to choose a pricing strategy that can change and adapt as they learn more about the market.
  3. A good pricing strategy helps with attracting and keeping customers, while a bad one can lead to problems for the startup.

How to Value a Startup: Key Methods Every Investor and Founder Should Know

The VC Corner • 459 implied HN points • 11 Jun 24
💼 Business Startup
  1. Valuing a startup is important but tricky because they often lack stable revenue. Founders and investors need to use different methods compared to established businesses.
  2. There are two parts to valuation: the 'art' involves looking at the startup's unique qualities like the team and product potential, while the 'science' uses data and metrics for a more objective view.
  3. A popular way to value startups is the Venture Capital Method, which focuses on future growth expectations. This helps investors estimate what a startup might be worth down the line.

Những tượng đài đổi mới sáng tạo

Thái | Hacker | Kỹ sư tin tặc • 2296 implied HN points • 04 Dec 23
💼 Business Startup
  1. Success in business comes from creating something people want and need, not just what looks good or follows trends.
  2. Focusing on serving customers and generating revenue is more important initially than fancy offices or elaborate company structures.
  3. Innovation thrives when failure is embraced, and simplicity is prioritized over elaborate ventures.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Steve Jobs’ 9 Product Development Tactics For Startups & The 4 P’s of AI | VC Jobs

Venture Curator • 339 implied HN points • 13 Jun 24
💼 Business Startup
  1. Start with the customer's experience in mind: Steve Jobs emphasized beginning with the customer experience and working backward to the technology.
  2. Avoid asking customers what they want: Instead of focusing on functional needs, look at emotional and social goals to drive innovation.
  3. Disruptive innovation is key: Jobs believed in disrupting industries with low-cost, simpler solutions to stay relevant and drive success.

Boisson is Shutting Down?

Snaxshot • 539 implied HN points • 29 Mar 24
💼 Business Startup
  1. Boisson platform may be shutting down as discussed with brands
  2. The story is evolving and more information is being gathered
  3. To read the full post and access archives, a 7-day free trial on Snaxshot is available

The 5 ingredients of a great fundraising announcement

Flack • 648 implied HN points • 23 Aug 23
💼 Business Startup
  1. A successful fundraising announcement includes objectives, audience, message, execution, and validation.
  2. Focus your announcement message on accomplishments, plans, and what matters to employees and customers.
  3. When executing a fundraising announcement, share the message authentically, handle leaks intelligently, and seek validation from others.

Not All Deep Tech is a Startup

Ulysses • 239 implied HN points • 06 Mar 24
💼 Business Startup
  1. Software startups have unique advantages like zero-cost replication and large markets, but building unicorns is still rare.
  2. Deep tech ventures face challenges like talent scarcity and long payback periods, but success can create a science-fiction future.
  3. Different models for deep tech leverage value generation, such as software-derived value, economies of scale, high-margin consumables, and extreme capital goods durability.

Cap Table Template

Venture Prose • 159 implied HN points • 07 Apr 24
💼 Business Startup
  1. Be mindful of dilution when piling up post-money SAFE notes as a founder.
  2. Creating a proper cap table can reveal the dilutive impact of different funding rounds and securities.
  3. Use templates to simulate scenarios like adding co-founders, granting stock options, raising multiple rounds, and selling secondaries.

📰 Techcrunch

First 1000 • 452 implied HN points • 19 Oct 23
💼 Business Startup
  1. TechCrunch's journey started with a personal blog and grew into a media giant through credibility and breaking big tech news stories.
  2. TechCrunch rode the wave of the Web 2.0 era, evolving from a research tool into a significant news outlet.
  3. The pivotal moment for TechCrunch was breaking the accurate story of Google acquiring YouTube, leading to a surge in subscribers and solidifying its position in the tech media industry.

Too Good to Be True?: Why B2B's Should Offer a Startup Discount Program

Elena's Growth Scoop • 471 implied HN points • 29 Aug 23
💼 Business Startup
  1. Offering a startup discount program can convert customers to paid plans, land enterprise contracts, and build your brand.
  2. A startup discount program provides an opportunity for companies to offer their product at a reduced cost to new startups.
  3. The program acts like a reverse trial, allowing young companies to experience a product's benefits before transitioning to regular pricing.

A Midas Winning VC Playbook

The Generalist • 1401 implied HN points • 07 Mar 24
💼 Business Startup
  1. Primary Venture Partners focuses on being the best seed fund by sticking to their core ethos of 'Startups are hard, founders deserve better.'
  2. They prioritize selective investing, focusing on high-risk, high-reward opportunities in the early stages of startup funding.
  3. Using a substantial impact team and unique operational approach, Primary Venture Partners aims to differentiate themselves in the competitive venture capital landscape.

Greek life is a beach

The Greek Analyst • 379 implied HN points • 14 Aug 23
🎭️ Culture Startup
  1. The 'Towel Movement' in Greece symbolizes grassroots activism and citizen action to reclaim public spaces, inspiring change across the country.
  2. Using innovative solutions like aerial monitoring drones can help address issues like illegal beach constructions, promoting transparency and accountability.
  3. The positive developments in Greek wine industry, investment ratings, and startup acquisitions reflect a growing trend towards economic growth and global recognition for Greek businesses.

Priced‑In Flaws: from cars to colleagues to couples

Five Links (and three graphs) by Auren Hoffman • 170 implied HN points • 13 Jul 25
💼 Business Startup
  1. When you buy something, like a car, you need to accept its flaws. If you choose an orange car, complaining that it's not blue isn't fair because you knew it was orange all along.
  2. This idea applies to people too. If you hire someone who is great but struggles with deadlines, you can’t blame them for that flaw if you knew about it first.
  3. In relationships, if you accept someone's weaknesses, like being late, you shouldn't complain later. You chose to be with them knowing those flaws were part of the package.

Ti Amo

Venture Prose • 259 implied HN points • 19 Nov 23
🕹 Technology Startup
  1. Launch fast and don't be afraid to release early in the world of social consumer apps
  2. Successful founders in social consumer apps focus on building products intentionally with a deep understanding of user behavior
  3. Social consumer applications revolve around status, communication, and entertainment, where people post, communicate, and get entertained

VC Don't Care About LTV/CAC Ratio ? | Hacking the VC process: Maximise Your Chance Of Getting Funded | VC Remote Jobs and More

Venture Curator • 299 implied HN points • 06 Oct 23
💼 Business Startup
  1. Investors obsess over the LTV/CAC ratio to gauge the potential return on investment and look for 'just-add-money opportunities.'
  2. Not all customers are equal; focusing on high-LTV customers can optimize customer acquisition efforts.
  3. VCs focus on CACD (Customer Acquisition Cost Doubled) to assess the time taken to recoup investments, emphasizing the importance of velocity over just the LTV/CAC ratio.

My thoughts on DeepSeek and what it means for security

Frankly Speaking • 355 implied HN points • 04 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Startup
  1. DeepSeek is a new AI that can learn on its own without needing human help. This makes it cheaper and more accessible, similar to how Uber made ridesharing easier for everyone.
  2. Many people are concerned about the rapid advancements in AI, especially when it seems like the US could fall behind China in technology. But instead of worrying, we should learn from these innovations and adapt our strategies in AI.
  3. The introduction of cheaper AI means that companies will use it more, and security needs to adjust to support this tech rather than restrict it. It's time for security teams to embrace AI and understand how to manage its risks effectively.

'You Can’t Raised Funding Without Using Old Sales-Marketing Funnel’ : Y-Combinator | VC Remote Jobs & More

Venture Curator • 219 implied HN points • 04 Dec 23
💼 Business Startup
  1. Raising funding requires utilizing the old sales-marketing funnel, according to Y-Combinator.
  2. Fundraising is a sales & marketing process and needs to be diligently managed, like any other sales campaign.
  3. Focus on engaging with the right investors, prioritize time management, and continuously work on building and managing a strong pipeline of potential investors.

Balancing the Conflicting Pulls on Time in a Startup

Running Lean Mastery • 137 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
💼 Business Startup
  1. Time in a startup is pulled in different directions - outside and inside the building. Startup founders need to balance both effectively.
  2. Creating a flow state is crucial for productivity. Flow involves being fully immersed in a task, limiting interruptions, and receiving immediate feedback.
  3. To optimize work, establish uninterrupted time blocks for focused tasks, prioritize maker goals early in the day, and schedule manager activities later to maintain flow.

Mercenaries versus Missionaries in the startup world

Respectful Leadership • 163 implied HN points • 14 Jun 25
💼 Business Startup
  1. In the startup world, it’s important to hire people who are passionate about the mission, known as 'missionaries.' They care deeply about making a difference.
  2. Hiring based on resumes alone isn't enough. It's better to focus on why candidates are motivated and their true potential.
  3. Embracing ambiguity can actually lead to innovative solutions. Startups should encourage working freely without strict guidelines.

Restoring Japan's Leadership In Innovation, Part I

Japan Economy Watch • 379 implied HN points • 11 Mar 23
💼 Business Startup
  1. Open innovation is crucial for technological advancement, emphasizing the need for collaboration between large companies and startups to succeed in rapidly changing industries.
  2. Japan lags behind in open innovation, with most R&D conducted in-house, leading to a decline in global competitiveness in industries like electronics.
  3. The immobility of star scientists in Japan, due to factors like lifetime employment systems and lack of mobility, hinders the growth of innovative startups and limits the potential for successful spin-offs.

Network Effects (part 1)

The Odin Times • 196 implied HN points • 04 Jul 23
💼 Business Startup
  1. Network effects occur when a product or service becomes more valuable as more people use it.
  2. Standard Oil leveraged network effects to dominate the oil industry by controlling the entire supply chain.
  3. Modern economy relies on network effects, with companies like Google and Apple benefiting from data and platform network effects.

Decoding Sequoia Capital: How Do They Dominate the VC Landscape?

Venture Curator • 199 implied HN points • 12 Jun 23
💼 Business Startup
  1. Sequoia Capital is a powerhouse in the VC landscape, known for remarkable strategies that have led to unprecedented success.
  2. Sequoia has an impressive track record of investing in one in five private unicorns globally, with a focus on disruptive products and founders with technical knowledge.
  3. Key figures at Sequoia, like Don Valentine and Doug Leone, have distinct investment philosophies highlighting the importance of market potential, strong founding teams, and learning from failures.

🏳️‍🌈 Embracing Diversity: Pride Month, LGBTQ+ Market, VC Diversity, Early-Stage Funding Checklist, Investor List, and More!

Lolita's Newsletter • 176 implied HN points • 11 Jun 23
💼 Business Startup
  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.

These boots are made for strappin'

Top of the Lyne • 176 implied HN points • 20 May 23
💼 Business Startup
  1. In a competitive marketplace, being a late entrant can provide advantages like already solved product-market fit and the ability to focus on differentiation.
  2. Being an outsider in the industry can offer unique perspectives, broaden market focus, and lead to unexpected advantages in customer base.
  3. Successful growth strategies for startups include setting clear goals, charging for the product to get valuable feedback, and optimizing marketing tactics for maximum impact.

The Lifecycle of an Edtech Company - Part 1

system bashing • 176 implied HN points • 20 Jul 23
💼 Business Startup
  1. Starting small and doing what you love can lead to building a strong community and following.
  2. As a business grows, the transition from a passionate creator to a structured company can bring challenges in managing relationships and revenue.
  3. Scaling a startup involves evolving into a company with defined roles, managing financial aspects, and adapting to market demands.

TBM 328: Beyond Firmographic-Based ICPs

The Beautiful Mess • 264 implied HN points • 18 Dec 24
💼 Business Startup
  1. Traditional ways of identifying ideal customers, like just looking at company size or industry, aren't enough anymore. It's important to understand the specific needs and behaviors of different companies.
  2. When starting a new job, it's crucial to listen and learn from others instead of jumping to conclusions. Take your time to understand what actually matters for the product and the customers.
  3. Different organizations have unique ways of working, and it's vital to grasp those differences. Observing and talking to customers helps create better products that cater to their specific challenges and goals.

How VCs Evaluate & Make High-Quality Investment Decisions?

Venture Curator • 179 implied HN points • 23 Jun 23
💰 Finance Startup
  1. To understand VC investment decisions, consider the Venture Capital Method, where earnings and market support determine the firm's future value.
  2. Investors aim for successful exits with specific returns and use metrics like ROI and IRR to evaluate startup potential.
  3. Negotiations between VC firms and founders often involve ownership percentages based on future valuations and return expectations.

When a PM takes over engineering

Leading Developers • 92 implied HN points • 01 Jul 25
🕹 Technology Startup
  1. It's important for engineers to think like product people. They should understand the problem they are solving and not just build what’s written down.
  2. Good engineering managers help their teams understand the value behind technical projects, making clear connections to business goals. This helps everyone stay focused and aligned.
  3. After launching a product, teams should keep engaging with the data and user feedback to continually improve. This mindset helps engineers take ownership and see the bigger picture.

California is the robotics capital of the world.

Robots & Startups • 139 implied HN points • 11 Nov 23
🕹 Technology Startup
  1. California is known as the robotics capital of the world.
  2. The USA has the most robotics companies in North America, with California having the highest number among the states.
  3. Data shows a higher number of robotics startups in Europe compared to Asia, with the UK leading over Germany, France, and Switzerland.

Circle’s valuation is getting nutty

Alex's Personal Blog • 98 implied HN points • 20 Jun 25
💼 Business Startup
  1. Circle's stock price is rising sharply, far surpassing its initial IPO price. This shows strong market interest in tech and crypto-related companies.
  2. Tesla plans to start its robotaxi service cautiously with ten cars in a limited area. This careful approach might help ensure safety and a smoother rollout.
  3. Cloudflare is working on a solution to stop AI companies from scraping content from websites without fair compensation. This could change how AI interacts with online content.