The hottest Startups Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Business Topics
Cloud Irregular 2069 implied HN points 19 Feb 24
  1. Explaining complex tech products in simple language is important for understanding and adoption.
  2. Developers may value different aspects of a tech product compared to business decision-makers, causing a mismatch in communication.
  3. CloudTruth focuses on managing crucial configuration data, highlighting the importance of precision in language and clear communication.
Extraordinary Aliens 42 HN points 19 Apr 24
  1. Obtaining an O1 visa as a founder in the US doesn't require a Nobel prize, funding, or an American co-founder - storytelling and structuring a compelling narrative can be key.
  2. Building credibility for an O1 visa application can involve showcasing exclusive memberships, judging roles, high remuneration, awards, publications, press, original contributions, and critical roles in companies.
  3. The US O1 visa is founder-friendly, allowing for flexibility, quick processing, and serving as a stepping stone towards permanent residency.
The Tech Bubble 3 HN points 25 Apr 24
  1. Consider using boring technologies for starting a startup as they are reliable and stable, having been tested by many companies.
  2. Stick with what you know when choosing a tech stack for an MVP to avoid inefficiencies from trying new tools.
  3. If you're not a developer, options for building a product include using no-code tools, paying for development, or partnering with a technical co-founder.
Where's Your Ed At 15430 implied HN points 08 Sep 23
  1. Elon Musk is involved in a legal battle over accusations of anti-semitism and his actions have had significant impacts on advertising revenue and Twitter's valuation.
  2. Silicon Valley culture has devolved into a profit-driven, empty innovation environment fueled by venture capital, lacking real societal impact.
  3. The tech industry, led by venture capital, has created a culture of labor exploitation, hollow promises, and superficial startup culture, with the focus on profitability rather than meaningful innovation.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:
Pen, Paper & Pizza 39 implied HN points 16 Apr 24
  1. Achieving 20,000 visitors in 4 months without a marketing budget is possible through strategic approaches like SEO and valuable content creation.
  2. Embracing the power of organic traffic through free tools, AI tools, and consistent content creation can lead to significant growth and valuable insights.
  3. Learning from setbacks, adapting strategies like targeting specific pain points, and staying consistent in content creation can pave the way for successful SEO endeavors.
Venture Prose 299 implied HN points 24 Mar 24
  1. Founders can stand out when they combine genius with the obvious in their industry or approach.
  2. Sometimes unique and brilliant ideas may seem natural to founders, requiring help to highlight these insights for investors.
  3. Investors seek out founders with irresistible qualities and ideas, often discovering hidden gems in unexpected places.
benn.substack 457 implied HN points 15 Mar 24
  1. In political elections like the presidential primaries, insiders within the party can heavily influence candidate selection, impacting how votes translate into nominations.
  2. Silicon Valley, despite its reputation for meritocracy and free-market capitalism, also shows signs of elite insiders shaping success by directing funds, influencing hiring decisions, and controlling media narratives.
  3. Public perception and hype generated by influencers play a significant role in Silicon Valley, from selecting blogging platforms to predicting success of new technologies, often superseding personal experiences and independent analysis.
Snowball 1886 implied HN points 21 Jan 24
  1. Taiwan Semiconductor (TSMC) is a major tech company that manufactures chips for various devices.
  2. Experts and global leaders predict risks that could cause crises in 2024 like environmental issues and technology advancements.
  3. The internet's evolution to omnipresence due to smartphones raises questions about implications and opportunities.
The Generalist 1941 implied HN points 16 Jan 24
  1. Investors need to differentiate between signals and mirages in venture capital to find potential winners.
  2. The process of identifying successful investments involves filtering out flawed ideas and making bets on plausible opportunities.
  3. Successful investments are like oases in the technology landscape that investors strategically seek out.
Points And Figures 399 implied HN points 12 Mar 24
  1. Unbridled capitalism works: In a capitalist society, businesses must prioritize growth to survive. Without growth, businesses risk failure or acquisition.
  2. Philanthropy and profit: Successful entrepreneurs historically engage in philanthropy after building their businesses. Making money is essential for a business to exist.
  3. Employee culture and strategic decisions: Maintaining employee trust and fully committing to strategic decisions, like pivoting to blockchain, are crucial for the success of a startup.
Extraordinary Aliens 19 implied HN points 18 Apr 24
  1. The author, Noemie, shares knowledge and experiences about moving to and building startups in the US as an immigrant, aiming to help others with similar aspirations.
  2. Topics covered include hacks for O1 visas, becoming a freelancer in the US, navigating community building, tax-related matters, and avoiding deportation.
  3. Noemie emphasizes the importance of sharing immigration and startup-related knowledge openly to assist individuals pursuing opportunities in the US.
benn.substack 432 implied HN points 08 Mar 24
  1. In the tech world, many companies are heavily investing in AI, with billions of dollars being raised for AI startups and established companies shifting focus towards AI.
  2. Liquidation preferences in startup funding can lead to conflicts of interest between investors and founders, affecting decisions around company sale and financial outcomes.
  3. Despite the hype around AI, success stories of companies profiting from AI technology are not yet as abundant, raising questions about the actual impact and returns of AI investments.
The Generalist 480 implied HN points 05 Mar 24
  1. Startup founders are navigating the Age of GPTs with new opportunities and risks due to advancements in AI.
  2. AI not only streamlines processes but also enhances human connection, especially in areas like HR.
  3. Industries should leverage AI for efficiencies, and companies need to be cautious not to blindly adopt AI trends without valid reasons.
Jacob’s Tech Tavern 576 implied HN points 26 Feb 24
  1. The blog post compares the Twitter and X iOS app binaries, revealing insights like extra app icons and heavy use of dynamic libraries.
  2. Emerge Tools offers valuable solutions for mobile engineers to monitor their app's size and performance.
  3. The author recommends subscribing to Jacob's Tech Tavern for more insightful posts and to show support for the work.
benn.substack 1271 implied HN points 19 Jan 24
  1. The modern data stack ecosystem is shifting as interest in generative AI takes over.
  2. The hype surrounding data tools can lead to rapid product development but also instability and distraction.
  3. Startups can find success by focusing on rebuilding existing ideas in a more deliberate and stable manner.
Newcomer 1238 implied HN points 19 Jan 24
  1. OpenAI has faced challenges as a 'big tech' company early in its life, including raising significant funds and experiencing executive drama.
  2. OpenAI removed its 'Don't Be Evil' slogan and is now collaborating with the Department of Defense on cybersecurity projects.
  3. Aileen Lee's research on unicorns reveals that strong unicorns are more involved in enterprise tech than consumer tech, with many 'papercorns' yet to prove their value.
Off to Lunch 1218 implied HN points 15 Jan 24
  1. Off to Lunch newsletter is back for 2024 with exciting plans, including relaunching Business Leader magazine.
  2. The podcast associated with Off to Lunch covers big business stories and interviews key figures like the CEO of Seedrs and UK boss of Peloton.
  3. Important news stories highlighted include weakening UK job market, Artifact app closing down, and Adidas CEO sharing his phone number with all staff for feedback.
Simon Owens's Media Newsletter 449 implied HN points 28 Feb 24
  1. High overhead costs and failure to control expenses can lead to the downfall of media companies, not just their business models.
  2. Diversifying revenue streams beyond advertising can be beneficial for media companies to sustain themselves.
  3. Establishing reasonable burn rates and controlling expenses are crucial for the long-term success of media companies.
Newcomer 1316 implied HN points 09 Jan 24
  1. Consumer investing in 2023 struggled, especially in sectors like e-commerce and social media.
  2. Investors are looking towards AI-powered consumer startups for a potential resurgence in 2024.
  3. The focus is shifting towards AI tools that benefit hobbyists, workers, and small businesses, rather than consumer-facing AI apps.
AI Supremacy 1120 implied HN points 12 Jan 24
  1. The author is launching a new robotics newsletter called 'OK, Robot' and is deeply interested in robotics coverage.
  2. The newsletter will cover a wide range of topics in robotics including robotics startups, AI gadgets, drones, and more.
  3. The target audience for the newsletter includes those interested in emerging technology, robotics news, and advancements in automation.
Trevor Klee’s Newsletter 373 implied HN points 29 Feb 24
  1. Success in biotech often involves licensing and developing existing molecules, rather than creating completely new ones.
  2. To thrive in biotech, it's crucial to strategically select candidates and navigate clinical trials efficiently with the available resources.
  3. Viking Therapeutics' success was built on wisely choosing profitable indications, selecting the right molecules, and executing their development program effectively.
Simon Owens's Media Newsletter 573 implied HN points 14 Feb 24
  1. Paid podcasts have seen success with small networks and creators, but traditional media outlets have been hesitant to embrace them.
  2. Platforms like Patreon and tools from Apple and Spotify have made subscribing to paid podcasts easier, yet major publishers are still not fully exploring this opportunity.
  3. Some media companies like Slate and The Economist are finding success with paid podcasts and hard paywalls, showing potential for revenue growth in these areas.
Newcomer 1061 implied HN points 12 Jan 24
  1. Apple is releasing a new virtual reality headset, but there are doubts about its success compared to AI tech.
  2. Microsoft offers resources and funding to startups interested in AI through its Founder Hub program.
  3. There has been a significant decline in the number of new startups receiving seed funding in recent years.
benn.substack 991 implied HN points 12 Jan 24
  1. Be cautious with how you handle customers' sensitive data to avoid breaking trust.
  2. Consider the optics of your business operations as much as the functionality to maintain trust.
  3. Don't plan on building one service as a stepping stone to another; focus on what you want to create in the long run.
The Profile 786 implied HN points 21 Jan 24
  1. The Profile newsletter features interviews with notable figures like Taylor Tomlinson, Usher, and Naomi Osaka.
  2. Taylor Tomlinson, a rising comedian, is experiencing great professional success but questions its impact on her personal life.
  3. Usher is preparing for the 2024 Super Bowl halftime show while juggling various aspects of his life such as therapy, meditation, parenting, and career.
Startup Real Talk 194 implied HN points 12 Mar 24
  1. The main goals for managing startup cash are capital preservation, liquidity, and income in that order.
  2. Keeping startup cash in a startup-friendly primary account and a secondary operating account is recommended.
  3. Investing the remaining cash in Treasury bills is a safe strategy, and it's important not to chase yield with riskier investment products.
AI Supremacy 491 implied HN points 08 Feb 24
  1. Aleph Alpha is a German AI startup focusing on AI governance, privacy, and ethics aligning with EU standards.
  2. Aleph Alpha's flagship product, Luminous, offers language models in multiple sizes and is known for its ability to explain outputs.
  3. Aleph Alpha's collaborative and 'sovereignty first' approach sets it apart from US AI companies, emphasizing data privacy and transparency.
All-Source Intelligence Fusion 782 implied HN points 12 Jan 24
  1. The California Judiciary cancelled its purchase of ChatGPT Plus after submitting a $4,080 purchase order on January 2nd.
  2. The procurement was intended for a proof of concept to see if ChatGPT could aid in website tasks, but was cancelled due to the lack of comparable quotes.
  3. Justice Guerrero announced plans for artificial intelligence at a Judicial Council meeting, focusing on developing model rules for state courts regarding AI usage.
Channels of Growth 687 implied HN points 19 Jan 24
  1. The book 'Channels of Growth' focuses on a Growth Marketing Framework for dominating channels and building better products.
  2. All users come from channels when it comes to growth, emphasizing the importance of understanding and optimizing these channels.
  3. The book aims to provide a personal Growth Marketing framework based on lessons from over $100M+ spent on growing products.
AI Supremacy 432 implied HN points 05 Feb 24
  1. The author is analyzing and tracking emerging and exponential technology, particularly artificial intelligence.
  2. The newsletters cover various topics such as startups, AI, robotics, quantum computing, and innovation.
  3. There are special offers available for full access to the newsletters with discounts for subscription.
Venture in Security 707 implied HN points 09 Jan 24
  1. The book 'Cyber for Builders' is a comprehensive guide for building a cybersecurity startup.
  2. The book covers various aspects of cybersecurity industry including key players, trends, and essential insights for early-stage founders.
  3. The book has received praise from industry experts for its practical advice and guidance for navigating the complexities of building a cybersecurity company.
Newcomer 432 implied HN points 02 Feb 24
  1. Defense tech has become popular among venture capitalists due to global tensions and the U.S. government's increased investments.
  2. Success stories like SpaceX and Palantir have boosted investor confidence in companies focused on government contracts.
  3. Selling to the government, while lucrative, can be a slow and complex process due to procurement challenges.