The hottest Startups Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Business Topics

Missionaries vs. Mercenaries

Teaching computers how to talk • 110 implied HN points • 10 Jul 25
🕹 Technology Startups
  1. OpenAI has a huge ambition to grow like Meta, needing to hit a target of $125 billion in revenue by 2029. This is a really tough goal and they have to compete aggressively.
  2. Sam Altman believes that teams driven by passion and purpose (missionaries) will outperform those just focused on making money (mercenaries). He wants to create an inspiring work culture at OpenAI.
  3. OpenAI has taken on a lot of investment, which means they need to deliver high returns quickly. This pushes them to make bold moves in the AI market.

Deep Tech Spin-Offs: Selecting the One That Could Make You a 50x Return

Space Ambition • 99 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
💼 Business Startups
  1. Deep Tech startups often come from universities and focus on serious scientific advancements. These companies can tackle big problems like climate change and health issues.
  2. Investing in Deep Tech can take longer but might lead to much higher returns. While these ventures are riskier, they often attract government support, which can boost their chances of success.
  3. Successful Deep Tech spin-offs usually have solid partnerships with skilled entrepreneurs. Scientists need business co-founders to help them navigate the commercial side of their innovations.

Letter #154: Josh Kushner and Kareem Zaki (2023)

A Letter a Day • 98 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
💼 Business Startups
  1. When starting a venture capital firm, consider going against conventional wisdom and focus on a unique approach. Josh Kushner and Kareem Zaki emphasize the importance of building a firm that is hands-on and sector-agnostic, going beyond traditional boundaries in investment strategies.
  2. In consumer investments, look at trends like the rise of creators and the power of brands. Thrive Capital highlights the significance of coupling an extraordinary product with strong brand presence across different industries, not just limited to direct-to-consumer businesses.
  3. Consider major life decisions beyond a specific industry. The intersection of software and hardware, growth in healthcare technology, and trends like brain-machine interfaces offer promising investment opportunities. Keeping a flexible mindset and being able to adapt to fast-paced changes is crucial in today's evolving landscape.

Be an idea expander

polymathematics • 139 implied HN points • 19 Dec 23
💼 Business Startups
  1. Open your mind to new ideas and let them grow instead of shutting them down right away. Protecting fragile ideas helps them develop.
  2. Focus on creating alternatives rather than competing. Unique ideas that are different can lead to success.
  3. Think about how something makes you feel when deciding to pursue it. Following what excites you can lead to better choices.

Navigating the Future of AI in the Creative Industries

Gradient Flow • 79 implied HN points • 07 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Startups
  1. AI models like Sora have the potential to revolutionize video production by generating high-quality videos from text prompts.
  2. The automation wave in AI video generation is leading to rapid progress and competition among tech giants, but challenges remain in maintaining coherence and ethical considerations.
  3. The future of video production will require a balance of AI and human creativity, emphasizing the need for AI literacy, ethical content creation, and the preservation of uniquely human skills like creativity and strategic thinking.
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Don't build for yourself

Sam’s Newsletter • 98 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
💼 Business Startups
  1. Don't just build for yourself, it's a common startup advice but may not always be the best approach.
  2. Building something people want and finding them is crucial for success.
  3. Consider finding your customers first, then building something they need, and your passion may follow.

Figma’s IPO range is a little light

Alex's Personal Blog • 98 implied HN points • 22 Jul 25
💼 Business Startups
  1. Figma has set its IPO price range at $25 to $28 per share, which is lower than expected compared to its past valuation of $20 billion. This pricing may attract mixed reactions from investors.
  2. Anthropic and OpenAI are facing challenges in raising funds and scaling their AI efforts, showing that the competition in AI is intense and requires significant investment.
  3. Ambiq, another company preparing for an IPO, is noted for its low-power AI chips but faces uncertainties due to its exiting the Chinese market. Its pricing may be viewed as risky or promising, depending on future growth.

How VCs Make High-Quality Investment Decisions? | Why Top 1% Of Founders Quit Their Startup? | Best Traits That Investors Look In Founders | VC Remote Jobs and More

Venture Curator • 199 implied HN points • 11 Sep 23
💼 Business Startups
  1. Understanding the Venture Capital Method can help founders grasp how investors evaluate startups and make high-quality investment decisions.
  2. Top 1% of founders often quit due to factors like loss of control, pressure for results, and personal finance realities, emphasizing the importance of mental health in entrepreneurship.
  3. Investors look for specific traits in founders, such as resilience, integrity, and adaptability, when deciding to fund startups, underscoring the significance of founder characteristics.

What Every Founder Should Know About Valuations? | Is The VC Investment Model Broken? | VC Remote Jobs and More

Venture Curator • 199 implied HN points • 29 Sep 23
💼 Business Startups
  1. Valuation of a company is determined by factors like the stage of the company, funding competition, leadership team experience, market size, and financial performance.
  2. The VC investment model is facing challenges due to factors like high interest rates, late-stage investments yielding lower returns, and the importance of profitability.
  3. Companies don't always need to calculate their value when fundraising; options like convertible notes and SAFEs allow for postponing valuation to later rounds to avoid potential dilution.

Understand All About SAFE | AI’s $200B Question: Long Term’s Good, Short Team Messy! | VC Remote Jobs and More

Venture Curator • 199 implied HN points • 02 Oct 23
💼 Business Startups
  1. Understanding SAFE Agreement - No Debt and No Equity. A different funding option for startups that doesn't fit traditional categories.
  2. 5 Types of SAFE Notes explained with examples. Different scenarios of how a SAFE investment can convert and affect valuation.
  3. Considerations about AI and GPU investments. Long-term benefits versus short-term challenges in the AI industry, highlighting the need for innovative startups to create real value.

The VC Corner 📰 #4

The VC Corner • 139 implied HN points • 15 Dec 23
💼 Business Startups
  1. Venture capital news is important for anyone involved in startups. Staying updated helps investors and teams make better decisions.
  2. The newsletter offers resources and insights that can guide new and experienced investors alike. It’s a useful tool for the venture capital community.
  3. A free trial is available to explore past posts. This makes it easy for readers to see if the content fits their needs.

Why Parker Conrad’s Contrarian Playbook on SaaS & AI Is a Blueprint for Repeat Founder Success

Day Zero: Always Learning • 85 implied HN points • 30 Jul 25
💼 Business Startups
  1. Replacing operations with AI isn't easy. It's better to automate from the start than try to fix things later when they get messy.
  2. Successful software should be a suite of apps that work well together, not just a bunch of individual tools. This approach builds more power in enterprise software.
  3. AI isn't making engineering work faster yet. Companies still need many engineers because the actual improvements haven't been seen.

Calm down, it’s Only Monday

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 79 implied HN points • 04 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Startups
  1. The Indian government's new AI advisory has sparked mixed reactions in the AI community. Some people feel it's not a good decision.
  2. IT minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar clarified that the advisory is meant for large platforms only. Startups will not be affected by these new regulations.
  3. There is concern about how this advisory may impact innovation and the growth of AI in India, especially among startups.

How to Find Founder-Market Fit

Startup Pirate by Alex Alexakis • 196 implied HN points • 24 Mar 23
💼 Business Startups
  1. Founder-Market Fit is crucial for startup success - ensure you are well-suited for the market you are targeting.
  2. Assess market dynamics, business model, key activities, and industry culture to determine your fit in a specific market.
  3. If you face Founder-Market (un)Fit, consider solutions like finding a co-founder, getting social proof, building a strong executive team, or exploring new opportunities.

Joe's Nerdy Rants #8

Joe Reis • 196 implied HN points • 08 Jul 23
💼 Business Startups
  1. People skills are becoming increasingly important in the tech industry.
  2. Technical skills are essential, but communication and empathy separate individuals for career success.
  3. Businesses are shifting towards paying tech vendors based on outcomes, emphasizing accountability.

Optimism

Startup Pirate by Alex Alexakis • 196 implied HN points • 21 Jul 23
🕹 Technology Startups
  1. Greece ranks high in AI talent with top scientists and conferences.
  2. Athens has a high density of engineering talent across various specializations.
  3. Greece is seeing a rise in deep tech startups with innovative solutions in various industries.

Upwork is More Than a Freelancer Marketplace. Here's How You Should Use It Instead.

Michael’s Newsletter • 196 implied HN points • 27 Jun 23
💼 Business Startups
  1. Upwork is not just for freelancers, but also a place where entrepreneurs can validate startup ideas and leverage talent across platforms.
  2. It's important for all entrepreneurs to learn how to use Upwork for scaling their business.
  3. By using Upwork strategically, like getting paid to build a prototype or arbitraging talent, you can accelerate your business growth.

Making Money

The Odin Times • 196 implied HN points • 23 Jul 23
💼 Business Startups
  1. Venture capitalists aim for exit strategies rather than profitable products
  2. European founders and investors should focus on building profitable businesses over valuations
  3. Some industries may struggle to raise traditional VC funding, leading to new business opportunities

Which Is The Better Option For Growth Funding: Venture Debt or Venture Capital?

Venture Curator • 199 implied HN points • 30 Jun 23
💼 Business Startups
  1. If you're deciding between venture debt or venture capital for growth funding, venture debt can be a cheaper option for founders due to lower overall costs.
  2. Venture debt involves warrant coverage, which gives the holder the right to purchase company stock at a set price within a specific period.
  3. Understanding the financial implications of each funding option, such as equity dilution and interest payments, is crucial for making the best decision for your startup's growth.

California Judiciary cancelled its purchase of ChatGPT Plus

All-Source Intelligence Fusion • 793 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Startups
  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.

GenAI for Hedge Funds Startups

Magis • 127 implied HN points • 03 Jun 25
💼 Business Startups
  1. Hedge funds are using AI to be more productive and to find new investment opportunities. Many startups are working in this area with various backgrounds and experiences.
  2. There is no clear leader in the AI startup space for hedge funds yet, as many companies are still developing their products. The founder backgrounds vary widely, from PhDs to former hedge fund workers.
  3. A list of AI startups focused on hedge funds has been compiled, and input is welcomed to make it more complete. If someone is looking for a job in this field, they are encouraged to reach out.

7 Thoughts About Substack's $100M Series C

Alex's Personal Blog • 98 implied HN points • 17 Jul 25
💼 Business Startups
  1. Substack has shown resilience by not giving up when venture funds didn't favor it. They managed to cut costs and eventually raised more funds, which helped them grow.
  2. The new valuation of Substack indicates high expectations for growth. However, they might struggle to maintain such growth without additional support beyond just subscription increases.
  3. Substack's move into advertising could help them grow revenue but might also change the overall user experience. It’s a balance between making money and keeping the platform enjoyable for users.

On a Personal Note

Sarah's Newsletter • 319 implied HN points • 20 Dec 22
💼 Business Startups
  1. The author is relocating to Vermont, excited about being closer to snow for ski season and connecting with local communities.
  2. The author's startup, Versionable, is currently taking a back seat as they focus on settling into new changes and exploring different angles to address marketing challenges.
  3. The author is embarking on a new role as the Growth Lead at Prefect, highlighting their interest in ambitious team goals and a UI-first experience in data tooling space.

Spotlight: John Bucknell – CEO of Virtus Solis

Space Ambition • 199 implied HN points • 04 Aug 23
🕹 Technology Startups
  1. Virtus Solis is working on space-based solar power satellites. These can provide continuous energy, unlike traditional solar panels that depend on sunlight.
  2. The technology aims to solve global energy challenges by making clean energy accessible and affordable for everyone, reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
  3. John Bucknell, the CEO, suggests that starting a business early in your career can make it easier, but experience also helps in understanding how to manage teams and solve problems.

Five Links for August 2025

Five Links (and three graphs) by Auren Hoffman • 81 implied HN points • 03 Aug 25
🕹 Technology Startups
  1. Data businesses can be profitable but may not be suitable for venture capital. It's important to know which funding methods fit your business model.
  2. The consulting industry is facing challenges due to changes in technology and market needs, making it a ripe target for disruption.
  3. Sunlight might have health benefits for autoimmune diseases. Research shows that UV light can help improve conditions like multiple sclerosis.

My failed experiment in e-commerce

Jay's Data Stream • 23 implied HN points • 25 Nov 25
💼 Business Startups
  1. Starting a startup as a joke or out of stress rarely works; impulsive or unrelated side projects get poor execution and weak customer demand.
  2. CPG e-commerce is mostly marketing — you need relentless content, influencer work, and paid ads to drive sales, because a good product alone usually won’t sell itself.
  3. Physical product failures leave you with real inventory and logistics headaches; unlike digital businesses, you can’t just shut them down with one click.

YC, Alchemist, Gitex want robot startups!

Robots & Startups • 59 implied HN points • 01 Apr 24
💼 Business Startups
  1. Y Combinator, Alchemist, and Gitex are seeking robot startups for various programs and events.
  2. Startup accelerator programs like Alchemist Accelerator have specific criteria for founders and offer opportunities for nominations and fast-tracked interviews.
  3. There are numerous deadlines for startup calls in diverse fields like mobility, med devices, and deep tech, along with events like the Gitex Global in Dubai.

90% Of Founders Can't Build Successful MVP: Don't Be One | End of SaaS Is Closer | VC Remote Jobs & More

Venture Curator • 179 implied HN points • 20 Oct 23
💼 Business Startups
  1. Building a successful MVP involves focusing on the 'viable' aspect, listening to customer feedback, and iterating for improvement.
  2. 90% of startup founders fail at building successful MVPs due to not grasping the true essence of MVP and focusing solely on building a product.
  3. Successful startups like Airbnb, Twitch, and Stripe started with basic MVPs, appealing to early adopters and iterating based on user feedback.

Timing Is The Single Biggest Reason Why Startups Succeed! | On the Life & Death of Y Combinator Startups | VC Remote Jobs and More

Venture Curator • 179 implied HN points • 17 Oct 23
💼 Business Startups
  1. Timing is crucial for startup success - knowing when to enter a market can make or break a startup
  2. Different types of markets affect a startup's fate: small market not growing, large market with past growth, being too early, or small market growing quickly
  3. Entrepreneurs should focus on being in a small market that is growing rapidly to increase chances of success

Good News Update and Bonus Article

Resident Contrarian • 1237 implied HN points • 28 Apr 23
💼 Business Startups
  1. Having a job that matches your skills and passion is important for long-term success.
  2. Good writing can set a company apart from competitors and attract talent.
  3. Clear communication through writing is crucial for explaining complex concepts and attracting investors.

The Ultimate Startup Quest: Building Something Special (in VC)

Equal Ventures • 99 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
💼 Business Startups
  1. Equal Ventures focuses on proactive research and industry connectivity to have a point of view on markets and build thoughtful partnerships with founders.
  2. Equal Ventures supports founders with continuous learning, frameworks, and best practices to help them navigate challenges and succeed in their industries.
  3. Equal Ventures' slow investment pace allows for deep alignment and meaningful support for portfolio companies, building long-term relationships beyond current roles.

Who’s raising, IPO updates, and what company is buying Grok?

Alex's Personal Blog • 98 implied HN points • 11 Jul 25
💼 Business Startups
  1. Shein is planning to go public in Hong Kong, which is exciting news for investors. Although a US listing would be preferred, there is optimism about the move.
  2. Several companies have recently raised significant funding, including Bilt, which is known for its unique rent payment system. They reached a new valuation of $10.8 billion with a recent $250 million funding round.
  3. Grok 4, the new AI model, shows strong capabilities but also raises concerns about its reliance on the views of its founder, Elon Musk. This has led to questions about how competitive it will be against other AI models.

How we use Attio for a new PLG startup

nonamevc • 24 implied HN points • 18 Nov 25
💼 Business Startups
  1. Attio is a practical CRM choice for early-stage startups that need flexibility and good user experience. It may not have all the features of bigger CRMs like HubSpot, but it's suitable for product-led growth teams.
  2. Integrating product and billing data in Attio is crucial for understanding customer behavior. Using tools like n8n can help automate data connections, making sure the team has a clear view of customer interactions.
  3. Email enrichment is important to transform unknown users into recognizable profiles. By combining personal and corporate email data, companies can better understand and engage their users.

NPLG 1.25.24: Should You Use PLG as a Seed Startup? (Sendspark)

Notorious PLG • 98 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
💼 Business Startups
  1. Product-led growth (PLG) can be a powerful strategy for startups, offering scalability and customer-centric focus.
  2. However, early stage startups should be cautious with PLG as it can distance them from understanding customer needs and feedback.
  3. Starting with founder-led sales before implementing PLG can help in finding product-market fit and building a strong customer base.

The Thiel-Andreessen Axis

From the New World • 102 implied HN points • 30 Jun 25
💼 Business Startups
  1. Peter Thiel and Marc Andreessen have different views on how businesses succeed in competitive markets. Thiel sees a winner-takes-all approach, while Andreessen focuses on timing in fast-changing tech environments.
  2. The AI industry is shifting. The idea that large companies will dominate is evolving, with new technology making it easier for startups to collect data and compete.
  3. Instead of competing against each other, Thiel and Andreessen's ideas complement each other. It's important to explore both approaches to find the best strategy for any business or industry.