The hottest Startups Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Business Topics

Spotlight: Raffaele Mauro – GP @ Primo Space

Space Ambition • 319 implied HN points • 31 Mar 23
💼 Business Startups
  1. Investing in space technology is exciting because it combines finance, innovation, and many different industries like hardware and software. There's a lot of potential to create solutions that can improve our world.
  2. Italy is a great place for space tech startups due to its talented engineers and strong support from the government. Recent investments are creating a vibrant ecosystem that nurtures innovation in the space sector.
  3. Space tech startups face challenges in adapting to the changing market and managing cash flow. Founders need to be flexible, resourceful, and ready to work with investors who can take on risks to succeed.

The check isn't in the mail

Situation Normal • 80 implied HN points • 27 Jul 25
💼 Business Startups
  1. Sometimes, invoices can get lost in the system and it might take a long time to get paid. A simple phone call can help solve these issues quickly.
  2. It's not uncommon to face payment problems in freelance work, and many people have stories about being stiffed for their work.
  3. Technology can make things complicated, but sometimes old-fashioned communication, like a phone call, can clear things up faster than emails or software.

Questions VCs Will Ask You! | Positioning Your Startup is Vital, How To Do It? | VC Remote Jobs and More

Venture Curator • 179 implied HN points • 09 Oct 23
💼 Business Startups
  1. A great team is crucial for a startup's success, and investors will ask questions to understand how the team came together, their motivations, and any key gaps that need to be filled.
  2. When pitching to investors, be prepared to explain your product clearly, its target market, the problem it solves, and how it stands out. Investors want to know if customers will seek out and pay for your product.
  3. Investors focus on the market size, growth potential, competition, and go-to-market strategy when evaluating startups. Having a clear positioning statement and understanding your market's total addressable market are key.

Don't Send All 'Your Data To Investors' Too Early In The Process: The Counter-Intuitive Fund-Raising Advice | VC Remote Jobs & More

Venture Curator • 139 implied HN points • 29 Nov 23
💼 Business Startups
  1. Avoid sending all your data to investors early on in the fundraising process, as it can hinder progress.
  2. Getting the first meeting with a VC might not be easy, but follow-up meetings can be harder to secure.
  3. Creating a data room and providing access too soon can lead to a lack of engagement from investors, leading to a failed fundraising process.

Ambiq’s IPO is good fun, and 7 Q2 '25 VC data points

Alex's Personal Blog • 98 implied HN points • 08 Jul 25
💼 Business Startups
  1. Ambiq is going public earlier than usual, which is exciting. They make chips for AI devices, and by leaving China, they are boosting their profits.
  2. Core Scientific's shareholders are unhappy about a deal with CoreWeave because the deal is risky. If CoreWeave's stock drops before the deal closes, it could be worth less than expected.
  3. In Q2 2025, US startups saw a lot of investment, especially in AI. Early-stage startup valuations are at record highs, showing a strong interest in new ventures.
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Spotlight: Noemie Alliel – Managing Director @ Starburst

Space Ambition • 219 implied HN points • 30 Jun 23
🕹 Technology Startups
  1. Starburst Aerospace runs accelerator programs to help startups connect with large companies and secure funding. These programs provide valuable services and expertise to entrepreneurs without requiring direct investment.
  2. Successful startups often need a strong team and a well-researched idea, along with the ability to communicate their vision clearly. Investors look for uniqueness, innovation, and a solid understanding of the market.
  3. Emerging trends in the space industry include remote sensing, in-space manufacturing, and food production in space. These areas hold potential for significant growth and investment opportunities.

The Babe Ruth Effect in Venture Capital | When To Prioritize Growth Over Profitability? | VC Remote Jobs and More

Venture Curator • 179 implied HN points • 22 Sep 23
💼 Business Startups
  1. The concept of the 'Babe Ruth Effect' in venture capital explains the importance of evaluating investments based on expected value analysis to achieve superior performance
  2. Deciding between prioritizing profitability or growth in startups depends on factors like market dynamics, access to funding, and business model, and it's crucial to understand where to focus at an early stage
  3. Successful venture capital funds exhibit a 'Babe Ruth Effect' by having more 'home run' investments of greater magnitude, even though they may also have a higher percentage of investments that lose money

What's Better Than Product Market Fit (PMF)? It's Product Market Distribution Fit (PMDF) | Tips For Negotiating Valuation With Investors | VC Remote Jobs and More

Venture Curator • 179 implied HN points • 25 Sep 23
💼 Business Startups
  1. Achieving Product Market Distribution Fit (PMDF) is crucial for startup success, not just Product Market Fit (PMF). Channel selection plays a vital role in reaching target customers.
  2. Early investment in sales and marketing can lead to better business outcomes than solely focusing on product quality.
  3. Efficient distribution channels are essential for startup growth; understanding Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC) and Lifetime Value (LTV) ratio is key in achieving success.

How Did The Great Startups Like Airbnb or Instagram Make Pivot Decisions? | VC Remote Jobs & More

Venture Curator • 139 implied HN points • 27 Nov 23
💼 Business Startups
  1. Pivoting in startups often involves changing direction when things aren't going as planned, but it should not be glorified as success.
  2. Successful startups approach pivoting as a learning experience rather than a badge of honor, with most effective pivots driven by passion or necessity.
  3. Not all pivots are equal; those driven by genuine passion or necessity tend to be more successful than those just brainstormed on a whiteboard.

I Wrote a Guest Post for Emerge Tools!

Jacob’s Tech Tavern • 656 implied HN points • 26 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Startups
  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.

Return of Sam

Bojan’s Newsletter • 137 implied HN points • 28 Nov 23
🕹 Technology Startups
  1. Sam Altman returns as OpenAI CEO after being ousted.
  2. X solidifies its position as the go-to platform for tech news updates.
  3. Stakeholders at OpenAI now have a heightened sense of urgency and focus on accelerating projects.

Managing Inside Growing Companies

Lessons • 176 implied HN points • 21 Feb 23
💼 Business Startups
  1. Managers inside growing companies need to accept that change is constant, and it's important to focus on facilitating the process of finding solutions rather than having all the answers.
  2. It's okay for managers to acknowledge and accept the things they cannot control, and instead, focus on what they can control to set their team up for success.
  3. Helping people on your team grow and learn is a crucial aspect that managers can control and should prioritize in a growing company environment.

The Space Economy

Startup Pirate by Alex Alexakis • 176 implied HN points • 24 Feb 23
🕹 Technology Startups
  1. The space industry is evolving from being led by superpowers to being driven by private companies, resulting in a significant growth of the space economy and increased number of objects launched into space.
  2. Space technology benefits humanity in various ways like enabling telecommunications, monitoring climate change, and providing navigation services through satellites.
  3. The rise in commercial space activity is attributed to factors like lower launch costs, innovations like reusable rockets, and the availability of new materials and technologies, making it easier for companies to enter the space industry and experiment with space technologies.

The Rise of the Agentic Workforce

Tanay’s Newsletter • 220 implied HN points • 29 Jan 25
💼 Business Startups
  1. AI is becoming more common in workplaces, taking on roles similar to human coworkers. This means more companies are using AI to help with tasks that were once done by people.
  2. These AI workers are designed to do specific jobs, promising to make work easier and faster. They are often created to handle certain tasks well, rather than do everything a human does.
  3. AI workers can change how businesses spend money, as they focus on labor budgets instead of software budgets. This could lead to new pricing models based on actual work done, rather than just user licenses.

How AI startups are building moats - by paying for them

Enterprise AI Trends • 443 implied HN points • 19 Jul 24
💼 Business Startups
  1. AI startups need to spend a lot of money to build strong defenses, like buying data and companies, instead of just focusing on AI features.
  2. Having unique data is more valuable for AI startups than having great technology or user experience.
  3. Established companies have a big advantage because they already own important data. New AI startups may struggle to compete without something really special.

Lessons from Peaches 🍑

Condensing the Cloud • 176 implied HN points • 28 Mar 23
💼 Business Startups
  1. Peach prices don't determine taste; price isn't a reliable indicator of quality.
  2. Focus on short-term optimization variables for long-term company success.
  3. Prioritize efficiency and adapt metrics as market environments change.

Joe's Nerdy Rants #5

Joe Reis • 176 implied HN points • 17 Jun 23
🕹 Technology Startups
  1. Data professionals interpret the concept of 'model' in various ways, leading to confusion and inconsistency in the field.
  2. Establishing a shared understanding through high-level data modeling can promote consistent and reliable models in organizations.
  3. The use of AI tools in programming has become widespread, indicating a shift in the nature of programming but emphasizing the importance of understanding and verifying AI-generated code.

The Satisfaction of Paying Bills

Kamui Whisky Newsletter • 176 implied HN points • 30 Sep 23
💼 Business Startups
  1. Paying bills can bring a deep sense of satisfaction, especially after overcoming financial hurdles in a startup.
  2. Paying invoices quickly can have a positive impact on relationships with contractors, small businesses, and vendors.
  3. Prioritizing timely payment of invoices and bills is not only responsible but can also be a rewarding practice.

🚪Serial indie maker with 4 exits

No-Code Exits • 176 implied HN points • 08 Jun 23
💼 Business Startups
  1. The interview highlights a serial indie maker who built and sold 4 different projects quickly.
  2. The key to success for the maker was working on projects that scratched their own itch and quickly testing ideas.
  3. The maker monetized their projects through experimentation and selling them on a No-Code Sale platform.

A New Era in Energy Technology

Startup Pirate by Alex Alexakis • 176 implied HN points • 23 Jun 23
🕹 Technology Startups
  1. Europe is transitioning to clean energy to combat high electricity prices, energy dependence, and climate goals.
  2. Renewable energy advancements like solar power and batteries are facilitating economic growth and decarbonization.
  3. Innovations in energy technology, like AI-powered platforms and green hydrogen compressors, are reshaping the industry towards sustainability and efficiency.

Haystack VII

Aashay's Newsletter • 176 implied HN points • 10 Sep 23
💼 Business Startups
  1. Haystack announces a new $75M fund for early-stage startup investments
  2. Personnel updates at Haystack, with promotions and changes in roles
  3. Acknowledgment of founder secrets and partnerships in the venture business

Our Private Practice Thesis

99% Derisible • 98 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
💼 Business Startups
  1. The post discusses a thesis on reinvigorating private practice for startups.
  2. A more detailed presentation of the private practice thesis is available in the form of a deck.
  3. The author encourages those interested to check out the deck for further information.

Nebius Part 2: Cash, Optionalities, Challenges

Interconnected • 200 implied HN points • 17 Feb 25
💼 Business Startups
  1. Nebius has a strong cash position with around $3 billion and no debt, which helps it stand out in the competitive AI market. This cash allows the company to potentially grow without heavy financial pressure.
  2. The company's various assets, like Toloka and Avride, provide unique opportunities that could enhance Nebius's offerings and market position. Keeping some of these assets might lead to greater strategic advantages.
  3. Nebius faces challenges in a crowded market, especially in understanding how to best utilize its subsidiaries and in competing against larger cloud service providers. Its future success will depend on careful geographic and strategic planning.

The Space Industry today: beyond headlines

Space Ambition • 539 implied HN points • 23 Sep 22
🕹 Technology Startups
  1. There are more than 1,700 private companies working on innovative solutions in the space industry today. This means a lot is happening beyond just the big names like SpaceX and Blue Origin.
  2. Sending things to space has become much cheaper, thanks to reusable rockets and new technology. This makes it easier for smaller companies to launch their satellites and projects.
  3. New technology like 3D printing and robotics is helping reduce costs and improve how space missions are done. Plus, supportive government laws are encouraging even more startups to join the space race.

The Game-Changing Clause Every Entrepreneur Should Add to Their Convertible Notes

Venture Curator • 219 implied HN points • 12 May 23
💼 Business Startups
  1. Convertible notes with caps can have hidden risks for entrepreneurs, especially when the conversion price exceeds the cap.
  2. Adding a specific clause to convertible notes can protect entrepreneurs from potential unfavorable outcomes when converting to equity.
  3. Including a clause stating a non-participating liquidation preference in a convertible note can level the playing field and provide essential protection for entrepreneurs.

AI must be more than a checkbox

The AI Frontier • 39 implied HN points • 02 May 24
🕹 Technology Startups
  1. AI should be seen as more than just a box to tick off. Companies need to genuinely understand how AI can help them, rather than just wanting to say they have an AI strategy.
  2. Startups often waste time on leads that aren’t serious. They need to be smart about who they spend time with to avoid low-quality customers and wasted effort.
  3. When companies buy AI products without knowing the benefits, it can lead to regret and wasted money. It's important for both buyers and sellers to clearly understand the value AI brings.

From Customer Success Leader to VP of Product

Suzan's Fieldnotes • 98 implied HN points • 15 Jan 24
💼 Business Startups
  1. María de Antón transitioned from Head of Customer Success to Product Manager by following her instincts and overcoming imposter syndrome.
  2. Transitioning from customer success to product management involved a shift from talking with customers to creating joyful product experiences.
  3. As a leader considering switching functions, trust your cross-functional skills, seek necessary training, and have confidence in yourself.

How AI security companies fail

Frankly Speaking • 254 implied HN points • 10 Dec 24
💼 Business Startups
  1. AI security companies face both market and product risks. If there's no market for their products, they can't succeed.
  2. Startups often fail due to common issues like poor timing or operations. This is true for AI security startups as well.
  3. Many AI security companies are throwing out new ideas to see what works. This trial-and-error approach leads to uncertainty in the market.

Incumbents Are Starting to Rugpull AI Startups

Enterprise AI Trends • 105 implied HN points • 12 Jun 25
🕹 Technology Startups
  1. Companies like Slack are limiting access to their data, which can hurt AI startups that rely on this information. It’s a way for big companies to protect their interests and possibly push competitors out.
  2. When large tech firms create restrictions, they can become more like closed systems or 'walled gardens'. This helps them keep more control and profit from new AI technologies.
  3. If you're starting an AI business, be aware of these challenges from larger companies. It's important to find ways to adapt and work around these restrictions to succeed.

The Subtle Art of the Grind

Andriy’s Stack • 59 implied HN points • 10 Apr 24
💼 Business Startups
  1. Building something new is hard and often lonely, but it's worth it for those who want to make a difference and support their families.
  2. It's important to find joy in the process of working on startups instead of just focusing on success or money.
  3. Connecting with others and sharing experiences makes the journey in the startup world more enjoyable and meaningful.

Spotlight: Adrien Michaud – Rocket Lab Space Ambassador

Space Ambition • 319 implied HN points • 03 Mar 23
🕹 Technology Startups
  1. Space tech isn't just for engineers; there are many paths into the industry. You can find roles in areas like HR or business development even if you don’t have a traditional aerospace background.
  2. The future of space tech may resemble civil aviation or the car industry, with either a few big players or many smaller companies. This means a lot of new ideas and technologies may emerge, but they also need solid ways to make money.
  3. Watching inspiring films like Apollo 13 can ignite passion for space and problem-solving. Many people find their calling early and choose careers that let them work on real-world challenges in space tech.

Israel: An In-Depth Look at Its Thriving Space Tech Ecosystem

Space Ambition • 219 implied HN points • 09 Jun 23
🕹 Technology Startups
  1. Israel has a strong space tech startup scene with over 6,000 active startups. This impressive number shows how innovative and entrepreneurial the country is.
  2. The Israeli space community includes various organizations like the Israel Space Agency and numerous private companies working together on exciting space projects, boosting collaboration and development.
  3. Israel's history of challenges has driven its focus on innovation, helping it become a leader in space technology despite being a small nation with limited resources.

Charts on Venture Capital, some VC robotics articles, and startup failure advice

Robots & Startups • 39 implied HN points • 29 Apr 24
🕹 Technology Startups
  1. There are more startups in the US than VCs can support, leading to increased competition for funding and a rise in startup failures.
  2. Investors are showing increased interest and making significant investments in robotics startups, especially those focused on AI and autonomy.
  3. Success rates for founders improve with past experience, highlighting the importance of learning from failure in the startup world.