The hottest Startups Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Business Topics

How Many Investors Should You Talk to in a VC Fund Raise? And How Do You Prioritize? | VC Remote Jobs & More

Venture Curator • 239 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
💼 Business Startups
  1. Fundraising is a sales & marketing process that needs careful planning and time management with prioritization of top investors.
  2. Founders should focus on engaging investors who show interest, authority to make decisions, and willingness to continue spending time.
  3. Having a balanced approach in engaging top and bottom of the funnel investors, using marketing techniques, and keeping a healthy pipeline is key to successful fundraising.

BTS: Behind the Snax with Oddball

Snaxshot • 219 implied HN points • 13 Mar 24
🍲 Food & Drink Startups
  1. Sophia Cheng has had a diverse career path, starting from studying journalism to working in finance and consulting before pursuing her plant-based jelly product, Oddball.
  2. The inspiration behind Oddball comes from Sophia's Asian upbringing, highlighting the importance of texture in Asian foods and the balance and moderation in the Asian diet.
  3. The journey of building Oddball has been challenging, especially in terms of fundraising, but Sophia emphasizes the importance of simplicity in product creation and the values of embracing healthier snacking choices.

Methinks the chip-god doth protest too much

Alex's Personal Blog • 65 implied HN points • 26 Nov 25
🕹 Technology Startups
  1. Nvidia is experiencing huge revenue growth, but market sentiment is turning negative despite their strong performance. People are questioning if they'll keep leading in AI technology.
  2. There is a growing need for more domestic shipbuilding in the U.S., and startup Valstad is aiming to significantly boost America's ship production capabilities.
  3. Bitcoin's value can sometimes move independently from traditional stocks, showing it can be a different type of investment, but it has recently been performing poorly compared to the Nasdaq.

The emerging startup playbook

Kyle Poyar’s Growth Unhinged • 962 implied HN points • 09 Oct 24
💼 Business Startups
  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.

Notorious: Common Mistakes Founders Make

Notorious PLG • 235 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
💼 Business Startups
  1. Valuable lessons for early-stage founders include focusing on customer needs, finding product-market fit, and maintaining rapid adaptation.
  2. Operating benchmarks for PLG startups include metrics on organic traffic, conversion rates, activation rates, and user retention.
  3. Financial benchmarks from PLG public companies cover EV/NTM revenue multiples, stock gainers, and recent PLG + AI financings.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Spacetech pitch session #2: summary

Space Ambition • 99 implied HN points • 11 May 24
🕹 Technology Startups
  1. The second pitch session for spacetech startups featured six innovative companies presenting to over 30 investors.
  2. One of the startups from the previous session, Xona Space Systems, successfully closed a $19 million funding round.
  3. The next pitch session is planned for September, inviting more startups and investors to participate.

What's Better: AI-enabled services or AI-SaaS?

Enterprise AI Trends • 211 implied HN points • 01 Aug 25
💼 Business Startups
  1. AI-enabled services are all around us, with businesses using AI to automate many tasks. Companies should design their operations to fully leverage AI for better efficiency.
  2. OffDeal shows that there can be more profit in AI-enabled services compared to just selling software. They moved away from SaaS to offer full services and have seen great success because of it.
  3. Starting an AI-enabled service requires careful planning and execution. It's important to find ways to automate efficiently, but as AI becomes more common, the advantage may fade.

Michigan Ecosystem Builders List

Midwest Humble • 35 implied HN points • 30 Dec 25
💼 Business Startups
  1. Community building is about people and partnerships, not just physical spaces. Events and hubs make that work visible and create momentum.
  2. A wide network of local leaders, meetups, accelerators, and coworking spaces across Michigan are actively supporting founders, creatives, and tech communities. They provide mentoring, programming, and connection points that keep the ecosystem growing.
  3. The region needs a more cohesive strategy to align hundreds of organizations and amplify their work so companies have reasons to scale and stay. Better coordination will help momentum lift the whole ecosystem.

The VC Corner 📰 #9

The VC Corner • 259 implied HN points • 20 Jan 24
💼 Business Startups
  1. 38% of venture capitalists have stopped making deals in 2023. This shows a big change in the investment landscape.
  2. Successful exits for startups can lead to mixed feelings among founders and investors. It's a success, but it can also feel like losing something they built.
  3. There is a push for better governance in the artificial intelligence sector through an AI Governance Alliance. This aims to make AI use safer and more responsible.

This New Internet Thing, Chapter 31

Life Since the Baby Boom • 691 implied HN points • 19 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Startups
  1. Cassie at Palm is excited about a new product called Touchdown but worries about funding for its launch. They found a partner to help manufacture it, which is a positive step.
  2. Len's career is taking a turn after Netscape's success, leading him to a possible job managing a new Internet-focused mutual fund. He’s starting to realize he enjoys this direction more than retirement.
  3. The bond between Len and his daughter Janet grows as they navigate their new potential successes together. Both are starting to embrace a more ambitious and wealthy future.

The definitive product positioning framework

Kyle Poyar’s Growth Unhinged • 749 implied HN points • 04 Dec 24
💼 Business Startups
  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.

Caveat emptor: product-led growth in cybersecurity can be a great idea, but it can also hurt or even kill security startups

Venture in Security • 235 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
💼 Business Startups
  1. Product-led growth in cybersecurity can be beneficial for growth and reaching security practitioners.
  2. Product-led growth can harm cybersecurity startups by undermining traditional sales channels, causing revenue cannibalization, and leading to misplaced focus.
  3. Startups should carefully consider if their product is suitable for self-serve, avoid jeopardizing sales opportunities, and focus on value over rapid implementation of PLG.

A startup is a bundle, and Windsurf broke the bundle

Alex Danco's Newsletter • 234 implied HN points • 18 Jul 25
💼 Business Startups
  1. Startups work like bundles where everyone has different needs. If these bundles break apart, it could hurt collaboration and overall success.
  2. The recent case of Windsurf shows how AI talent is being targeted and bought individually instead of as part of the whole startup. This changes how success is achieved and shared.
  3. If startups become unbundled and everyone seeks their own benefits, founders might struggle more. This could lead to less innovation and more chaos in the startup world.

The Meesho Must Go On

Tigerfeathers! • 54 implied HN points • 05 Dec 25
💼 Business Startups
  1. Meesho focuses on serving everyday shoppers, especially in smaller towns, by connecting them directly with small sellers and keeping prices low. This approach has allowed them to grow rapidly and become a key player in Indian e-commerce.
  2. The company's unique model relies on understanding their customers' needs and being very adaptable. They have successfully shifted their strategy multiple times to meet the demands of their users.
  3. Meesho's commitment to affordability and accessibility, along with their efficient logistics network, positions them well for continued growth in India's evolving marketplace.

Spotlight: Bulent Altan - Founding Partner @ Alpine Space Ventures

Space Ambition • 319 implied HN points • 15 Dec 23
💼 Business Startups
  1. Investing in space tech can help solve big problems on Earth, like climate change and disaster management. These technologies improve our lives and connect us better.
  2. When looking at start-ups, it's important to check if they have a good product-market fit and a strong team. A solid team with experience can really make a difference in succeeding.
  3. The future of space investments is bright, especially in satellite manufacturing. This area has a lot of potential and can help grow the whole space industry.

Data is actually not a great VC-backed business

Five Links (and three graphs) by Auren Hoffman • 202 implied HN points • 27 Jul 25
💼 Business Startups
  1. Data companies are not a good fit for venture capital because they grow slowly and don't need large amounts of funding. They can be profitable but don't usually scale quickly like software companies do.
  2. The number of hedge funds and other businesses buying data is actually declining, and despite expectations, AI hasn't significantly changed this trend.
  3. The best data companies are often private and attract interest from private equity firms rather than venture capital. They offer steady profits but not the explosive growth that VCs typically look for.

Business Relationships

In My Tribe • 607 implied HN points • 05 Jan 25
💼 Business Startups
  1. Your job should be seen like a relationship that you can move on from, not as a marriage. It’s okay to leave a job when you’ve learned what you can and want to grow elsewhere.
  2. Selling a business can feel like watching your child grow up and become independent. You may feel lost afterward, but it’s a chance to explore new passions.
  3. Consider what you enjoy outside of work. If your job isn’t your true passion, find ways to express those interests in your free time instead.

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

Kyle Poyar’s Growth Unhinged • 788 implied HN points • 13 Nov 24
💼 Business Startups
  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.

Venture in Public Markets

Parth's Playground • 51 implied HN points • 25 Nov 25
💼 Business Startups
  1. Investing in both early-stage and mature public companies involves similar processes. Both require assessing key milestones, or 'card flips', that can significantly change a business's trajectory.
  2. There's a gap in funding for medium-term investments. Most capital is either short-term focused or tied up in long-term index funds, leaving opportunities for those willing to invest in companies making meaningful changes over 18 months to 4 years.
  3. Investing in public companies is different from private investments. It allows for more patient buying, but it also requires managing the temptation to react to market fluctuations constantly.

Microsoft Should Buy Ramp

Alex's Personal Blog • 65 implied HN points • 20 Nov 25
💼 Business Startups
  1. Venture capitalists are excited about an increase in startup acquisitions after a recent court ruling favored Meta. This suggests there's a lot of movement happening in buying smaller companies.
  2. Many startups that were stuck without growth now have a chance to find new homes through mergers and acquisitions. This could lead to a healthier market for these companies.
  3. Ramp, a corporate spend management company, is gaining attention for its growth and intelligence capabilities, leading to suggestions that Microsoft should consider acquiring it.

The bull case for AI startups

The AI Frontier • 59 implied HN points • 13 Jun 24
🕹 Technology Startups
  1. AI startups have a lot of room for innovation, even with big companies investing heavily in AI. There are still many opportunities for new ideas and products.
  2. Startups can take more risks and try out unusual ideas that bigger companies might avoid due to reputation concerns. This freedom can lead to exciting new products.
  3. While big companies have access to a lot of data and resources, startups can be more flexible and connect data from various sources. This can give them an advantage in creating better solutions for customers.

Why build when you could buy?

Kenny’s Sub • 159 implied HN points • 18 Mar 24
💼 Business Startups
  1. Buying a business takes time and patience. It's important to understand that finding the right one isn't quick and you might go through many options before finding the right fit.
  2. Having clear criteria for what you're looking to buy is crucial. It's better to focus on specific areas that interest you rather than being too broad in your search.
  3. Expect to sift through a lot of possibilities. The process can be frustrating, but staying logical and not letting emotions lead your decisions will help you find the right business.

6 founders sharing their mistakes & tips going from 0-1

Startup Business Tips 🚀 • 56 implied HN points • 23 Nov 25
💼 Business Startups
  1. Focus on one clear, painful problem and validate it with real paying customers before you scale. Do regular discovery, prioritize their feedback, and keep iterating until you reach product–market fit.
  2. Own and double down on reliable go-to-market channels instead of depending on rented platforms; build community, integrations, referrals, and launch often. Start manually (onboarding, outreach) to learn what works, then scale the proven plays.
  3. Hire and structure the team smartly and keep product craftsmanship disciplined: bring in senior people early, avoid premature VP titles, be ruthless about hires, and pay down tech debt. Keep onboarding and pricing simple so customers don’t get overwhelmed.

I'm launching the Solo Founders Podcast tomorrow

Texts with Founders • 2 implied HN points • 03 Mar 26
🎙 Podcasts Startups
  1. A Solo Founders Podcast launches tomorrow and will feature founders who share concrete, battle-tested lessons. The first episode spotlights a solo founder who scaled from $100K to $1.25M ARR in two weeks by using AI for the majority of the business.
  2. Subscribing before launch helps the podcast rank better, so early subscribers make a real difference. Trailers are available on Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Podcasts if you want a quick preview.
  3. Anyone who subscribes before the launch is invited to a private Zoom AMA about building solo. Subscribe, reply "DONE", and you'll receive the calendar invite.

The Mr. Beast Memo

Tech Ramblings • 2 HN points • 22 Sep 24
💼 Business Startups
  1. Avoid hiring average workers. Focus on finding top talent since they help raise the team's quality and culture.
  2. Always learn from your work and the feedback you get. Analyze what works and what doesn't to keep improving.
  3. Don't settle for anything less than your best work. It's important to ensure that everything you share meets high standards.

Silicon Valley's Cargo Culting Problem - Wearing A Black Turtleneck Doesn’t Make You Steve Jobs | VC Remote Jobs & More

Venture Curator • 239 implied HN points • 23 Jan 24
💼 Business Startups
  1. Cargo Culting is the act of copying something without really understanding the reasons behind it, which can be harmful for startups
  2. Successful companies like Google, Facebook, and Uber were pioneers not just because of their actions, but because they deeply understood their strategy and market
  3. Founders should prioritize user needs over superficial details and learn valuable insights from successful companies rather than blindly following trends

The Sequence Radar #779: The Inference Wars and China’s AI IPO Race

TheSequence • 35 implied HN points • 28 Dec 25
🕹 Technology Startups
  1. Nvidia licensed Groq’s LPU technology and brought key Groq leaders onboard, consolidating talent and inference IP to reinforce its lead in inference hardware.
  2. Chinese model labs are shipping frontier models: Zhipu’s GLM 4.7 pushes coding and agentic ‘deep thinking,’ while MiniMax’s M2.1 uses linear attention and MoE to enable a massive 4‑million‑token context window at much lower cost.
  3. Zhipu and MiniMax preparing Hong Kong IPOs shows foundation models are moving from VC-funded research to public, revenue-focused companies, and highlights a split where U.S. scaling is driven by capital and hardware consolidation while China focuses on architectural and economic efficiency.

Neurotech Notables #6: April 2024

NEUROTECH FUTURES • 119 implied HN points • 15 Apr 24
🕹 Technology Startups
  1. Neurotech developments in April 2024 include significant funding for startups like Syntropic, Neurava, and Seaport Therapeutics.
  2. Commercial advancements in neurotechnology involve companies like Synchron, NeuroOne, and Cognito Therapeutics launching new products and making significant progress in their fields.
  3. Regulatory updates show clearances for devices by FDA, submissions like ONWARD Medical's De Novo Application, and the importance of FDA approvals in the neurotech industry.

Spotlight: Daniel Kleinmann, Daniel Wallman, and Phil Scully - Partners @ Balerion Space Ventures

Space Ambition • 359 implied HN points • 17 Nov 23
💼 Business Startups
  1. The space industry is quickly growing, with many new companies starting up. This offers a great chance for investment in exciting projects that can help us explore and use space.
  2. Investors like Balerion VC focus on specific areas within space tech, such as satellites and space tourism. They want a mix of investments to cover all important sectors of the space economy.
  3. For anyone looking to invest in space, building a strong network is key. It's important to make helpful connections and relationships in the space community.

Getting the product on the hands of customers ♥️

André Casal's Substack • 19 implied HN points • 07 Aug 24
💼 Business Startups
  1. It's important to get feedback from both experienced and beginner developers to improve the product. This will help make the product easier for everyone to use.
  2. The landing page needs continuous updates based on feedback to better attract potential users.
  3. Preparing for a launch on platforms like Product Hunt involves creating promotional content and a support network to maximize visibility and impact.

Don't track LTV/CAC; Instead track LTV/CACD, Why? | VC Remote Jobs & More

Venture Curator • 259 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
💼 Business Startups
  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.

Returning Capital is Okay

Sriram Krishnan’s Newsletter • 432 implied HN points • 21 May 23
💼 Business Startups
  1. If your startup isn't progressing or you've lost passion, it's okay to consider returning capital.
  2. Being honest about your situation and returning capital isn't a sign of failure, but shows self-awareness.
  3. Returning capital can be a positive choice that allows you to reset and refocus.

Why reverse benchmarking works

A Bit Gamey • 33 implied HN points • 28 Dec 25
💼 Business Startups
  1. Instead of copying market leaders, look for what they can’t do and compete on that different axis. Being meaningfully different in one area can beat being slightly better at the same things they already do.
  2. Big companies optimize measurable metrics and therefore create blind spots like intimacy, humour, or meaning. Small players can own these unmeasured dimensions to attract loyal customers.
  3. People respond to stories and contrast more than features, so changing the frame often beats pure optimisation. Don’t try to run the same race faster — find a race the leader can’t enter.

Intercom's decisive bet on AI

Kyle Poyar’s Growth Unhinged • 315 implied HN points • 21 May 25
💼 Business Startups
  1. Intercom was quick to invest in AI, becoming a leader by being the first major SaaS company to do so. Their 'war time' CEO, Eoghan McCabe, made bold decisions to redefine customer support with AI.
  2. The quality of AI tools matters more than just having features. Intercom's Fin AI agent succeeded through a lot of testing, improving its ability to resolve customer inquiries from 25% to 56%.
  3. Competitors now have to focus on delivering results, not just flashy marketing. Businesses need to educate their customers on how to choose AI products based on effectiveness, not just promises.

The Donkey Enterprise

The Greek Analyst • 279 implied HN points • 23 Dec 23
💼 Business Startups
  1. Successful businesses can thrive by embodying the traits of a 'Donkey Enterprise' - prioritizing self-preservation, building long-term institutional memory, fostering curiosity, focusing on strong foundations, valuing hard work, and maintaining a clear focus.
  2. Greece has made significant progress in digitization, economy, investments, tech startups, education, and R&D, demonstrating growth in various sectors and receiving international recognition.
  3. Greek individuals and companies have achieved notable success in various fields, such as winning international competitions, impacting AI technology, and contributing to the economy through acquisitions and advancements.

This New Internet Thing, Chapter 28

Life Since the Baby Boom • 691 implied HN points • 21 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Startups
  1. The author is publishing a new book and sharing it in chapters online, hoping readers will find it interesting enough to buy it later.
  2. The story features characters navigating the early internet business landscape, highlighting their challenges and opportunities.
  3. There's a focus on growth versus profitability, showing the tension between the desire to expand fast and the need to make money.