The hottest Startups Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways

Strange and Dazzling Things Are Happening Right Now

The Honest Broker • 18484 implied HN points • 19 Nov 24

Elon Musk tried to buy Substack, but the CEO chose to reject the offer, showing loyalty to independent writers.
Substack's subscription numbers are growing, with many creators earning significant income, but the platform still isn't profitable yet.
There are concerns about some tech companies, like Nvidia, using risky accounting practices that can create a false sense of success.

Join me for a conversation with Brett Berson, Partner at First Round Capital

Thinking in Bets • 138 implied HN points • 01 Nov 24

💼 Business Venture Capital Investment strategy Decision-making Startups

Learn how a top venture capital firm has changed its investment processes. They focus on being more organized and efficient.
Discover how to make better investment choices using data. A data-driven approach helps in making smarter decisions.
Find out how to improve feedback loops in finance. Creating quicker feedback can help in long-term decision-making.

The definitive product positioning framework

Kyle Poyar’s Growth Unhinged • 520 implied HN points • 04 Dec 24

💼 Business Marketing Startups Strategy Sales Product

Choosing the right customer segment is crucial for your product's success. Different segments have different needs, and you need to focus your strategy accordingly.
Positioning isn't something you can just test quickly with A/B tests. It's more of a strategic choice you make at a higher level, affecting how you market and present your product.
Your homepage is the best place to show your product's positioning. It should be clear and accessible, so everyone inside and outside the company understands it.

This New Internet Thing, Chapter 28

Life Since the Baby Boom • 691 implied HN points • 21 Nov 24

🕹 Technology Internet Software Innovation Venture Capital Startups

The author is publishing a new book and sharing it in chapters online, hoping readers will find it interesting enough to buy it later.
The story features characters navigating the early internet business landscape, highlighting their challenges and opportunities.
There's a focus on growth versus profitability, showing the tension between the desire to expand fast and the need to make money.

Building in public, IPO watch, and what to do about Europe

Alex's Personal Blog • 65 implied HN points • 02 Dec 24

💼 Business Startups Public Companies Investing Market Trends Technology

Building in public means sharing both the successes and struggles of a startup. It's refreshing to see companies like Roam be transparent about their challenges.
ServiceTitan is planning to go public soon, which could be a significant event in the IPO space. Their recent financial growth shows they are doing well, even if profits have slightly decreased.
Europe's startup scene is not evolving as rapidly as expected. Despite some successful companies, the overall impact on the market has been limited.

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The Story of Nel

Deus In Machina • 36 implied HN points • 29 Nov 24

🕹 Technology Programming Software AI Startups Development

Real programmers often rely on their knowledge and skills rather than on tools like AI and autocomplete features to code. It highlights the importance of understanding the code at a fundamental level.
Having face-to-face conversations and collaboration among team members helped boost productivity when technology failed. Working together led to better problem-solving and learning.
Using simple, effective tools that fit your needs can lead to better coding experiences. Sometimes, going back to the basics can spark creativity and innovation.

Notes on Chapter 27

Life Since the Baby Boom • 461 implied HN points • 21 Nov 24

🕹 Technology Internet Software Innovation Startups Investing

IBM partnered with Apple to create Taligent, hoping to finally compete with Microsoft in the PC market. They planned to introduce a 'guest operating system' idea like their mainframes, but not everyone believed it would succeed.
Miriam's divorce from Matt is final, and she's likely to marry someone Matt dislikes. This adds tension to their already complicated relationship.
Len, now a retired investor, is being courted by a VC firm that wants his help with clients. His retirement status makes him less of a threat, allowing him to offer support without competition.

What I learned working at a high-growth crypto startup

Parth's Playground • 89 implied HN points • 05 Dec 24

🔮 Crypto Startups Business Growth Product Development Team culture Market Strategy

In a fast-changing startup, there's often no clear right answer. Instead of seeking perfect alignment, focus on taking thoughtful action based on your intuition and feedback.
Expect frequent changes in your role and company direction. Embracing unpredictability can help you adapt quickly and align your work with the company's goals.
It's crucial to build specific knowledge in your field to stand out. Deep expertise leads to better opportunities and helps you make meaningful connections.

The Secret Sauce of Palantir

Dana Blankenhorn: Facing the Future • 138 implied HN points • 29 Oct 24

💼 Business Finance Investments Technology Startups Market Analysis

Palantir focuses on personalized data analysis for each client, using committed engineers to solve specific problems. These Forward Deployed Engineers (FDEs) learn the client's business and adapt solutions to boost productivity.
The combination of FDEs and Product Development teams creates a unique feedback loop, improving software based on real experiences. This teamwork helps build a strong customer relationship that keeps clients engaged with Palantir.
Palantir's success isn't about traditional AI but rather understanding and addressing client needs first. This customer-first approach leads to recurring revenue and a reputation for effective solutions.

Wafer Scale - Trilogy Systems: Part 2

The Chip Letter • 4149 implied HN points • 27 Oct 24

🕹 Technology Computing Startups Innovation Integration Capital

Trilogy Systems, founded by Gene Amdahl in 1979, aimed to revolutionize the mainframe market with a new technology called Wafer Scale Integration, which promised to be faster and cheaper than existing solutions. However, the company struggled with technical challenges and internal issues.
As delays mounted and financial troubles grew, Trilogy abandoned its mainframe plans and, ultimately, its Wafer Scale technology. Distractions like personal tragedies and a lack of cohesive vision contributed to the company's downfall.
After losing credibility and facing mounting losses, Trilogy merged with Elxsi, but that too did not lead to success. Amdahl felt a deep personal responsibility for the failure, which haunted him even after the company's collapse.

How to Avoid Becoming a VC Meme and Actually Add Value

The Generalist • 600 implied HN points • 21 Nov 24

💼 Business Venture Capital Investment Strategies Entrepreneurship Startups Growth Strategies

Venture capitalists should focus on actually helping founders by connecting them with great talent, customers, and funding. It's important not just to say you add value, but to really do something meaningful.
It's better for investors to set realistic expectations about their contributions. Overpromising can damage relationships with founders, so honesty about what you can offer is key.
Investors should respect the founder's role and not try to take over. They bring valuable insights but need to let entrepreneurs lead their own companies and make their own decisions.

Five tips to turn startup toys into essential tools

A Bit Gamey • 6 implied HN points • 01 Dec 24

💼 Business Startups Innovation Technology Entrepreneurship Product Development

Disruptive technologies often start off looking weak or like toys, but they can evolve into essential tools. It’s important to recognize their potential early on.
Startups should design products with long-term improvements in mind and focus on how they will get better as they are used. This approach can help them meet user needs more effectively.
Ignoring criticism from established companies might mean a startup is onto something important. Founders should understand the difference between sustaining and disruptive technologies to guide their strategies.

5 Frameworks To Master Communication And Influence As An Engineer

High Growth Engineer • 1415 implied HN points • 10 Nov 24

💼 Business Leadership Communication Influence Startups Career development

Understanding communication styles is key to being effective as an engineer. Knowing how to adapt your message can help get your point across better.
Influence is about more than just speaking well; it's also about building relationships. Strong connections can lead to better collaboration and teamwork.
Mastering executive communication can help you lead better and get your ideas heard. It's important to practice and refine these skills regularly.

4 Truths About OpenAI’s Wild Financial Position

Big Technology • 5504 implied HN points • 18 Oct 24

💼 Business Finance Investments Corporations Economics Startups

OpenAI plans to change how it looks at training costs, suggesting these might not be fixed over time. This could impact their profits, as training expenses are significant.
OpenAI believes that ChatGPT will generate more revenue than its API, showing confidence in its widespread use. They expect more people will want to interact with AI in the future, which could be risky if the growth doesn’t happen as hoped.
OpenAI is already making big payments to Microsoft, which is one reason they expect to lose a lot of money this year. If their losses continue at this rate, they will need to raise more money soon.

OSD 300: Open Source Defense Capital

Open Source Defense • 49 implied HN points • 19 Nov 24

💼 Business Startups Capital Investing Technology Defense

Modern tech is changing the civilian defense industry, making it more about community and content creation than just products. Companies are now focusing on building strong organizations and engaging their customers online.
Founders in the civilian defense space face challenges due to a lack of resources and funding, which makes it harder for them to grow. This is different from the tech startup ecosystem, where support is abundant.
To improve gun rights, it's important to create and promote high-quality gun products. Great products can help change laws and build a supportive community around them.

Revisiting the Cyber 150

The Security Industry • 1 implied HN point • 28 Nov 24

💼 Business Cybersecurity Startups Investment Market Trends Mergers & Acquisitions

The Cyber 150 lists cybersecurity companies that have grown their staff by at least 15% this year. They are actively monitored to see how many continue to thrive.
Some companies from the Cyber 150 have secured substantial investments, with fifteen companies raising nearly $1 billion collectively. This shows a strong interest and confidence in cybersecurity ventures.
The Cyber 150 list will be updated at the end of the year for better accuracy, as some companies have changed in size or staffing. The criteria for inclusion may also become less strict to accommodate more companies.

Your guide to the 2024 SaaS benchmarks

Kyle Poyar’s Growth Unhinged • 489 implied HN points • 21 Nov 24

💼 Business SaaS Startups AI Growth Metrics

2024 sees stabilization in SaaS growth rates, with early stages performing better while larger companies struggle. Smaller startups are showing stronger growth despite an overall slowdown.
Early stage SaaS and AI companies are thriving, significantly increasing growth rates and maintaining lean teams. They are using automation and smart hiring to succeed.
There's a shift in pricing models for AI products, with many still using traditional subscription models but a growing number exploring usage-based and outcome-based pricing. It's a sign of changing market demands.

Last Week in AI #292 - Meta's AI Artifacts, Perplexity's billions, xAI API launch

Last Week in AI • 238 implied HN points • 22 Oct 24

🕹 Technology AI Machine Learning Research Startups Innovation

Meta's AI research team released eight new tools and models to help advance AI technology. This includes new language models and tools for faster processing.
Perplexity AI is seeking a $9 billion valuation as it continues to grow in the AI search market, despite facing some plagiarism accusations from major media outlets.
Elon Musk's AI startup, xAI, launched an API for its generative AI model Grok, allowing developers to connect it with external tools like databases and search engines.

The 10 biggest mistakes I made bootstrapping to $1M ARR

Kyle Poyar’s Growth Unhinged • 788 implied HN points • 13 Nov 24

💼 Business Startups Marketing Sales Entrepreneurship Growth Strategies

Launching on Product Hunt was a big effort, but it didn't really help with getting customers. It was a good learning experience, though, and helped shape our messaging.
Hiring digital marketing agencies didn't work out well because we didn't understand marketing ourselves. We realized we needed to learn the basics to direct our strategy effectively.
Spending a lot on affiliate marketing and event sponsorships didn't pay off. Having a great product isn't enough; you need a solid plan to get others to promote it effectively.

9 healthcare cybersecurity companies and startups leading the way

digitalhealthinsider • 19 implied HN points • 30 Oct 24

🕹 Technology Cybersecurity Healthtech Data Privacy Innovation Startups

Healthcare is a prime target for cybercriminals because they seek valuable information like patient records. Organizations are investing more in cybersecurity to protect this sensitive data.
The cybersecurity market is rapidly growing, with projected revenues hitting $185.70 billion. This highlights the increasing demand for strong security measures in healthcare.
There are several companies leading in healthcare cybersecurity, providing innovative solutions to tackle emerging threats and protect important data efficiently.

🌻 E43: ML Deployment is a mess and Simplismart is solving it

Musings on AI • 184 implied HN points • 07 Nov 24

🕹 Technology AI Machine Learning Startups Infrastructure Software Development

Simplismart raised $7 million to improve how machine learning models are deployed, making the process easier and faster.
The company offers a powerful system that helps avoid common problems in deploying AI models at scale.
They provide tools that save businesses time and money while ensuring their AI models run efficiently.

China’s AI Boyfriends

ChinaTalk • 444 implied HN points • 29 Oct 24

🕹 Technology AI Companionship Startups Social media Consumer Trends

AI companions are becoming popular in China, especially among young women. They offer emotional support and can fill gaps that real relationships might not fulfill.
Startups like MiniMax are creating AI apps that gather user data while providing companionship. This helps improve their AI models, even if the immediate profits are not high.
The AI companion market faces challenges from strict regulations and data privacy concerns. Many users share personal feelings with these apps, making safety an important issue.

This New Internet Thing, Chapter 25

Life Since the Baby Boom • 461 implied HN points • 31 Oct 24

🕹 Technology Internet Computers Television Startups Finance

Len is looking for ways to get hired in the tech world. He knows he has the skills, but he wonders how to get noticed by the big players in Silicon Valley.
The team at Palm is excited about a new handheld product called Touchdown. They are focusing on what customers really need and ignoring unnecessary features to make it great.
Len and Dan go on a TV show to talk about their work with the Internet and crime. They manage to discuss their mutual fund and share how technology helps with their investigations.

When venture incentives and founder needs diverge

Alex's Personal Blog • 131 implied HN points • 20 Nov 24

💼 Business Venture Capital Startups Entrepreneurship Investment Strategies

Venture capitalists can make money off their 2% fees without needing successful company exits. This creates a situation where they might prioritize raising more funds over helping founders succeed.
Large venture funds may overpay for investments to quickly deploy capital, which can lead to problems for founders who might be offered too much money at high valuations.
There's a debate about how much authors should be paid for their work being used in AI training. Some authors feel $2,500 per book isn't enough compensation for potentially being replaced by technology.

Nvidia and the AI scaling wall, and what founder mode really is

Alex's Personal Blog • 98 implied HN points • 21 Nov 24

🕹 Technology AI Semiconductors Computing Startups Product Development

Nvidia is experiencing strong demand for its new Blackwell GPUs, which are expected to outperform previous models. Major companies are eager to integrate these powerful chips into their systems.
The concept of 'founder mode' is about being deeply involved in the critical details of your business. It's not just about delegating tasks, but collaborating closely with team members to achieve great outcomes.
The AI industry continues to evolve with new ways to improve model performance. Nvidia's focus on scaling in various aspects shows that innovation in AI is still very much alive.

The Levers of Innovation

Investing 101 • 124 implied HN points • 23 Nov 24

💼 Business Entrepreneurship Innovation Venture Capital Startups Market Trends

There's a shortage of exceptional founders in the startup world, which affects the number and quality of new companies. We need to support more people in becoming great founders.
Access to capital isn't the real issue; it's about how well that capital is distributed to potential founders. Many great ideas and markets exist, but they need the right people to bring them to life.
Creating a culture that accepts struggle and encourages innovation can help develop more exceptional founders. We need to be open to new ideas and support each other in taking risks.

🎯 The Ultimate Pitch Deck Collection

The VC Corner • 739 implied HN points • 31 Aug 24

💼 Business Startups Entrepreneurship Investing Pitching Marketing

A good pitch deck should include essential slides that clearly outline your business, like the problem you're solving and your market opportunity. This structure helps investors understand your idea quickly.
Telling a compelling story around your startup's journey is crucial. It helps investors connect emotionally and see the value of what you're doing.
Design matters a lot in a pitch deck. A clean and modern design can make your presentation look professional and helps communicate that you are serious about your business.

Is Better Brand Shutting Down-Company Was Once Valued at $170M?

Snaxshot • 359 implied HN points • 06 Oct 24

💼 Business Startups Finance Product Management Consumer Goods E-commerce

Better Brand, once valued at $170 million, is facing allegations of being a scam as their product quality has declined significantly after raising money.
Many customers cannot find Better Brand products in stores, and some have not received their orders, leading to frustrations and reports to consumer agencies.
Key employees have left the company, and the founder is rumored to be hiding in Europe as the situation escalates.

Avian navigation, transparency & insect symbiotic strategies

The Strategy Toolkit • 8 implied HN points • 03 Dec 24

🕹 Technology AI Navigation Startups Innovation

The US military is looking for new navigation systems inspired by how birds navigate. They want something that doesn't rely on satellites, which can be risky.
A startup called SandboxAQ is developing a magnetic navigation system that uses Earth's magnetic fingerprints to help with positioning, similar to how birds find their way.
This new navigation technology is compact and ready for use, showing how innovative thinking can provide solutions to current challenges.

Security by design is hard

Frankly Speaking • 355 implied HN points • 10 Nov 24

🕹 Technology Cybersecurity Product Design Software Development Startups Tech Trends

Security by design is a good idea but hard to implement. Most companies prioritize speed over security, treating security as an afterthought.
Many existing cybersecurity solutions focus on adding security measures after a product is built instead of integrating it from the start.
Tools like Pangea help address security issues early in product development, making it easier for developers to implement security as they build.

❄️Cubits in a Fridge: Make Quantum Great Again (Feat Himadri of SemiQon)❄️

State of the Future • 9 implied HN points • 04 Dec 24

🕹 Technology Quantum Computing AI Integration Circuit Design Data Centers Startups

Silicon spin qubits are smaller and cheaper than other types, making them more scalable. They can potentially revolutionize quantum computing by using existing semiconductor technology.
Cryo-CMOS technology allows quantum computers to operate at very low temperatures, which is essential for maintaining quantum states. This can also help reduce cooling costs for data centers, which spend billions on keeping their systems cool.
The focus in quantum computing is shifting from just the number of qubits to how efficiently they perform operations. Spin qubits might have an advantage here due to their longer coherence times and faster gate operations.

Two startups to watch, and guess which nations are our largest trading partners?

Alex's Personal Blog • 32 implied HN points • 26 Nov 24

💼 Business Startups Trade Tariffs Technology Investment

Watch out for Halcyon, a startup that just raised $100 million to fight ransomware. This is important since ransomware attacks are a growing problem for businesses.
Copy.AI is gaining attention as a popular AI tool for writing. It's expanding its services and has evolved since it first launched, showing strong potential.
Upcoming tariffs on imports from major trading partners like China, Canada, and Mexico could lead to increased prices. This might create challenges for startups looking to grow and seek investments.

Founder Mode👨‍💼, The Extinction of VC💀, How to Build More Pipeline🚀

The VC Corner • 259 implied HN points • 15 Sep 24

💼 Business Venture Capital Startups Funding Sales Growth

The current landscape for venture capital is changing, and there are risks that could impact its future. It's important for founders to understand these shifts.
Founders can take control of their growth strategies by focusing on building a solid sales pipeline. This can help them succeed even in uncertain times.
Adapting to new growth approaches is necessary for SaaS businesses. Finding fresh methods can lead to sustained success and relevance.

Market Sizing 101

The VC Corner • 759 implied HN points • 23 Aug 24

💼 Business Startups Investment Market Analysis Entrepreneurship Finance

Understanding the size of your market is crucial for attracting investors and growing your business. A clear market size can make your pitch stand out.
Market sizing involves knowing categories like Total Addressable Market (TAM) and Serviceable Available Market (SAM). These help you understand how big your market really is and how much of it you can reach.
Many founders get stuck on the idea of a 'billion-dollar market'. It's important to look at market size more deeply, rather than just chasing big numbers. This helps avoid bad assumptions and discover real opportunities.

The death of early career gigs, encryption, and the Thread Boys' ascendency

Alex's Personal Blog • 32 implied HN points • 25 Nov 24

🕹 Technology AI Encryption Startups Data Privacy Tech Policy

AI is taking over entry-level jobs, making it harder for newcomers to gain the experience they need. This could leave a gap when it comes to filling senior positions in the future.
Encryption is really important for protecting our information and ensuring a stable economy. Weakening it could lead to big security problems for everyone.
There's a trend of tech billionaires gaining more influence over government. This could change how policies are made, depending on who has the most money to back their causes.

Living beyond the edge

The Leap • 919 implied HN points • 15 Aug 24

💼 Business Venture Capital Startups Entrepreneurship Investment Innovation

Skill and luck both play important roles in success, and understanding their balance can help us navigate challenges better.
Nate Silver's new book dives into how to make decisions when facing uncertainty, which is relevant in today's world.
Historically significant moments in tech, like the founding of PayPal, highlight the importance of timing and opportunity in achieving greatness.

Take the Unicorn Pill

Jeff Giesea • 838 implied HN points • 09 Sep 24

💼 Business Economics Wealth Startups Inequality Innovation

We're living in an Age of Asymmetry where a few companies and individuals hold most of the wealth and power. This creates big imbalances in society.
Small, smart players can have a huge impact thanks to new technologies. Sometimes, these disruptions can lead to unexpected and significant changes.
It's important to find ways to support everyone, not just the top few percent. If we ignore the growing gaps, it could lead to serious problems for our society.

The emerging startup playbook

Kyle Poyar’s Growth Unhinged • 962 implied HN points • 09 Oct 24

💼 Business Startups Entrepreneurship Marketing Product Development Growth Strategies

Create a minimum remarkable product that really stands out. This means your initial product should be good enough to impress people right away, as getting their trust back later is tough.
Use storytelling to engage your audience. Instead of a big launch event, try to build a community around your product through authentic content and personal stories.
Stay lean by using automation and AI to keep things efficient. It's better to have a small, skilled team that can innovate rather than hiring lots of people to get things done.

Median Round Sizes📈, YC's Latest Batch🤖, The Perfect Pitch Deck🎯

The VC Corner • 459 implied HN points • 01 Sep 24

💼 Business Venture Capital Startups Investment Trends Pitch Decks Market Analysis

Median round sizes in venture capital are important to track. They show how much money startups are raising on average.
Y Combinator's latest batch is a great resource for new startups. It's helpful to look at what types of companies are being accepted.
A perfect pitch deck can make or break a startup's chance of getting funded. It's key to present ideas clearly and attractively.

How to build your GTM strategy from scratch

Kyle Poyar’s Growth Unhinged • 291 implied HN points • 06 Nov 24

💼 Business Startups Marketing Strategy Sales Growth

Building a go-to-market (GTM) strategy involves understanding stages like problem-solution fit, product-market fit, and go-to-market fit. Each stage helps you grow and attract more customers.
Create an Early Customer Profile (ECP) based on real evidence to identify your first customers. This helps you target those who have a strong need for your product and are willing to pay.
Differentiate your product by refining your unique value proposition (UVP) and unique selling proposition (USP). This makes it clear why customers should choose you over the competition.