The hottest Startups Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Business Topics

Postponomics: Kishida Punts On Startups and Income Redistribution

Japan Economy Watch • 259 implied HN points • 07 Dec 22
💼 Business Startups
  1. Kishida's administration has postponed crucial decisions on tax breaks for startups and corporate tax hikes, potentially hindering economic growth and income redistribution.
  2. Access to funding remains a significant challenge for startups in Japan, impacting their growth potential compared to other countries. More support is crucial for new companies to thrive.
  3. Government actions such as expanding angel tax credits and implementing R&D tax credit carry-forwards can significantly boost support for startups and innovation in Japan.

Bootstrapping Berry Bot: 'from revenue to robot'

Robots & Startups • 19 implied HN points • 02 Jun 24
💼 Business Startups
  1. The beauty and wellness robotics industry is growing, with Berry Bot being a soap making robot that showcases the potential for automation in the sector.
  2. The global personal care and beauty market is significantly larger than the industrial robot market, providing ample opportunity for innovation and growth.
  3. Berry Bot, a smart system for making natural soaps, highlights the importance of scalability and automation in the production process for success in the industry.

We may have reached an early AI usage peak

Alex's Personal Blog • 65 implied HN points • 09 Jul 25
🕹 Technology Startups
  1. AI usage may have hit its first peak recently, with signs of slowing down in adoption across different industries.
  2. Even with a setback, companies are still finding ways to use AI effectively, showing there’s still interest and potential for growth.
  3. Historical patterns show that trends in tech, like AI, often have ups and downs, so we shouldn't assume growth will always continue.

I thought we were broke

Alex's Personal Blog • 65 implied HN points • 07 Jul 25
🕹 Technology Startups
  1. Groq is making waves in AI and inference computing by building special chips that help with AI tasks. They recently expanded into Europe to better meet customer needs.
  2. Elon Musk's new America Party might attract moderate voters looking for alternatives, especially among tech elites. However, it's uncertain how popular it will actually be among voters.
  3. Changes to the tax rules for small businesses allow for more tax-free sales, which could help startups but may raise questions about government handouts amid claims of a budget crisis.
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Should you ever talk smack about your competitors?

Startup Real Talk • 145 implied HN points • 12 Feb 25
💼 Business Startups
  1. It's usually not a good idea to criticize your competitors because it can make you appear weak. However, if you're a small player facing a giant competitor, it can be an exciting story to share.
  2. If you’re similar in size to your competitor, it's best to minimize mentions of them. Acknowledging them can give them more power, so keep your focus on your own strengths.
  3. If you’re the big player in the market, try to shift the conversation to something more positive about your brand. Being the giant can bring challenges, so it's wise to manage the narrative carefully.

what does durability even mean?

Superfluid • 53 implied HN points • 25 Jul 25
💼 Business Startups
  1. In the AI market, just being fast and focused isn't enough anymore. Companies need to act quickly and take risks to stay competitive.
  2. Timing in launching a product is really important, as demonstrated by the different growth rates of Lovable and Replit. Even having a great product doesn't guarantee success if you miss the right moment.
  3. To succeed, AI startups should focus on unique strategies and strong processes because traditional advantages aren't as effective. They need to stand out rather than just copy what others are doing.

kitten corner: frozen assets

bad cattitude • 150 implied HN points • 20 Jan 25
💼 Business Startups
  1. Being an angel investor means you're thinking about supporting new businesses. It's important to do your research before deciding.
  2. Pitching to you shows that startups are looking for funding and believe in their idea. This can be an exciting opportunity if you choose wisely.
  3. Always ask questions and get advice from experienced investors. They'll help you understand the risks and rewards involved.

Chips For America

Investing 101 • 46 implied HN points • 09 Aug 25
💼 Business Startups
  1. Investing in domestic semiconductor manufacturing is crucial for the US. It helps ensure that the country can produce its own technology safely.
  2. Despite America's challenges, there is optimism about its potential for solutions and growth. This positive outlook is important for progress.
  3. Research on creating an American semiconductor company highlights its significance in global stability and future conflicts. It shows how interconnected technology and national security are.

A little Boost! goes a long way

Europe in Space • 117 implied HN points • 17 Jul 23
🕹 Technology Startups
  1. ESA's Boost! program supports innovative space transportation startups by providing co-funding for qualifying activities.
  2. The Boost! program has attracted significant private investments, showing a successful multiplier effect.
  3. The program has expanded and includes initiatives like the European Flight Ticket Initiative to support space startups.

Please no more personal assistants

Methexis • 117 implied HN points • 19 Apr 23
🕹 Technology Startups
  1. Personal assistants are not the ultimate goal of personal computing, but rather a result of social influence and wealth.
  2. Silicon Valley execs have a false consensus bias in assuming everyone needs personal AI assistants like they do.
  3. The market for democratizing personal Chief of Staff roles through AI presents a financially viable startup opportunity.

Prediction Markets Grow Up

Net Interest • 12 implied HN points • 05 Dec 25
💰 Finance Startups
  1. Prediction markets have rapidly scaled up: millions of users, weekly volumes in the billions, and top traders winning large sums.
  2. Regulation has softened, with legal wins and exchange approvals letting platforms offer political and derivatives-style contracts and join mainstream financial debates.
  3. The main fight now is for liquidity and market design — firms are raising huge capital and competing to attract traders so these markets can run as smoothly and widely as stock exchanges.

Is Y Combinator worth the money (equity)? Brutally honest review of W22 batch experience

Oleksii Sidorov • 815 HN points • 29 Mar 23
💼 Business Startups
  1. The Y Combinator program tends to treat all companies similarly, despite differences in stage and industry.
  2. The networking opportunities within the program may be limited due to the large number of companies and lack of common ground.
  3. The main value of participating in Y Combinator often revolves around fundraising, but the benefits may vary depending on the specific situation of the company.

Good News, Bad News

The Security Industry • 15 implied HN points • 25 Nov 25
🕹 Technology Startups
  1. The annual cybersecurity directory will stop after 2025 because publishing a complete, up-to-date vendor list risks enabling competitors to copy the database. This protects the business value of the dataset.
  2. AI Security is exploding — about 290 companies founded 2022–2025 use AI to secure systems or apply AI to security tasks. That rapid growth means many startups will be acquired and the category will need frequent updates.
  3. A forthcoming book will comprehensively profile all AI security companies using the full dataset, providing the first market-wide view of the space. It will be published in mid-January with signed copies available at the RSA conference.

14 actionable CRM tactics for early-stage SaaS founders

Startup Business Tips 🚀 • 51 implied HN points • 27 Jul 25
💼 Business Startups
  1. Having a clear and updated CRM helps keep all your customer information organized. This way, everyone in your team can access the same data in real-time.
  2. It's important to track all interactions with clients, like calls and emails. This gives you better insights on moving deals forward and improving your sales process.
  3. Avoid common mistakes like not defining deal stages and not tracking lost reasons. These can lead to missed opportunities and unclear data about your sales performance.

South Bay LA is Ground Zero for the Hard Tech Wave and Here's Why

Nathan’s Substack • 79 implied HN points • 15 Dec 23
🕹 Technology Startups
  1. South Bay LA, including areas like Redondo Beach, El Segundo, and Torrance, is experiencing a boom in hard tech innovation. The region is home to a growing number of young founders and engineers leveraging decades of experience and innovative tools from companies like SpaceX.
  2. The concentration of talent in South Bay is reminiscent of Richard Florida's theory on talent clusters, where talent attracts more talent, leading to a cycle of innovation and success. The region's history in aerospace has also played a significant role in shaping this talent pool.
  3. The alumni networks of SpaceX and Tesla have significantly contributed to the entrepreneurial spirit in South Bay, with many new hard tech companies emerging from these connections. The presence of these networks has made South Bay a hub for hard tech innovation and collaboration.

Singapore space tech and deep tech ecosystem

Space Ambition • 239 implied HN points • 03 Feb 23
🕹 Technology Startups
  1. Singapore is a great place for space tech startups because of its friendly tax policies and support from the government. The easy company setup process attracts talent and entrepreneurs from everywhere.
  2. Even with a small population, Singapore has over 20 space tech startups, showing strong growth in this sector. Companies like Gilmour Space Technologies and SpeQtral highlight the diverse innovation happening there.
  3. The space tech ecosystem in Singapore is supported by various agencies and institutions that help founders with funding and research. The presence of many investors and accelerators further drives the growth of this field.

Kickoff of 2024 SVR Robotics Accelerator

Robots & Startups • 59 implied HN points • 29 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Startups
  1. Kickoff meeting for the SVR Startup Accelerator is happening on January 30th for robotics startups at any stage.
  2. Private equity investors like Resurge Growth Partners are offering struggling startups a second chance amid a drop-off in VC funding.
  3. Luxonis has introduced the OAK-Thermal for pre-order, expanding its platform with a thermal sensor for numerous potential applications.

Venture Capital Fund Modelling III: Masterclass

Venture Curator • 139 implied HN points • 18 May 23
💼 Business Startups
  1. Venture capital fund lifecycle involves raising capital from LPs over 2-2.5 years, making investments during the commitment period, and shifting to follow-on investments afterward.
  2. VC funds go through a cycle of raising capital for Fund I, investing during the commitment period, then raising funds for Fund II to sustain investment activities.
  3. GPs play a crucial role in fundraising, investment decision-making, and supporting portfolio startups to ensure the success and growth of the VC fund.

Unbridled Capitalism Works

Points And Figures • 399 implied HN points • 12 Mar 24
💼 Business Startups
  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.

What is a Founding Engineer?

Jake [Building in NYC] • 59 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Startups
  1. Founding engineers have to work really fast. They need to handle problems quickly and keep feedback flowing between users and the business.
  2. Empathy is key for founding engineers. They should think about how users will respond to their work and make it as easy and enjoyable as possible.
  3. A founding engineer always seeks the truth. They are curious and unafraid to ask questions to understand problems better and find effective solutions.

ChatGPT One Year Later

Bojan’s Newsletter • 78 implied HN points • 11 Dec 23
🕹 Technology Startups
  1. Google launched AI chatbot Bard as a competitor to OpenAI's ChatGPT.
  2. Microsoft introduced AI-powered Bing and Edge for improved user experience.
  3. Various startups and companies released new AI chatbots and models in competition with OpenAI's ChatGPT.

You don’t have to be an engineer to become a founder of a space tech start-up

Space Ambition • 239 implied HN points • 20 Jan 23
🕹 Technology Startups
  1. You don't need to be an engineer to start a space tech company. Many successful founders come from different backgrounds and experiences.
  2. The space tech industry includes a diverse range of founders, such as experts with technical knowledge, entrepreneurs who were successful in other fields, and dreamers who are passionate about space.
  3. Many successful space tech founders show that with passion, determination, and the right team, anyone can make their space exploration dreams a reality.

Decoding Term Sheets for Founders and Investors in Simple Terms

Venture Curator • 139 implied HN points • 08 May 23
💼 Business Startups
  1. Term sheets are important for founders and investors as they outline the terms of the deal and can impact the future success of a business.
  2. Understanding the economic aspects of term sheets, like valuation, investment amount, and liquidation preference, is crucial for negotiating deals with venture capitalists.
  3. Key terms in term sheets include equity, option pool, liquidation preference, anti-dilution, and founders should carefully consider these terms when making decisions.

All Fear The Cloud and Twitter Financials

Alex's Personal Blog • 131 implied HN points • 06 Feb 25
💼 Business Startups
  1. Twitter's financial health has changed a lot since Musk bought it. Today, it makes less money but is more profitable than before.
  2. There are mixed opinions about the future of AI startups and cloud services. Some believe they'll thrive, while others think they'll face tough competition and slim profits.
  3. Some companies, like Deel and Glean, are doing well in the AI space. They've shown strong growth and profitability, even in a tough market.

Space public-private partnership: how space agencies will help startups in 2023

Space Ambition • 239 implied HN points • 13 Jan 23
🕹 Technology Startups
  1. NASA and ESA are teaming up with startups to boost innovation in space. This partnership is changing how businesses operate in the space industry and making it easier for new ideas to come to life.
  2. NASA is investing a lot in programs like Artemis to explore the Moon again. Many private companies are involved, helping to create technologies that can improve life on Earth, like better communication and transportation.
  3. Both NASA and ESA offer funding programs for startups in space technology. These programs are open for applications and can provide significant financial support for innovative projects in the space sector.

Why You’re Wrong About AI Data

From the New World • 70 implied HN points • 03 Jun 25
🕹 Technology Startups
  1. Having a lot of data doesn't really create a strong advantage for companies. It can make it easier for others to copy their features, turning unique ideas into common standards.
  2. The belief that you can create a monopoly by having specialized data isn't true. What often happens is that competitors can quickly catch up and do the same thing.
  3. Making complicated business processes clear and usable by AI is valuable, but it doesn't protect a company's secrets. Once a process is automated, others can figure it out easily.

Weekly Dose of Optimism #129

Not Boring by Packy McCormick • 129 implied HN points • 31 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Startups
  1. Boom Supersonic has successfully tested its XB-1 jet, marking a big step toward commercial supersonic flights. This could cut flight times significantly, like from New York to London in about three and a half hours.
  2. DeepSeek's new AI model shows it's possible to train a top-level AI for much less money than before. This could make AI more affordable and accessible for various uses.
  3. Science Corp is experimenting with brain-computer interfaces that blend lab-grown neurons with animal brains. This technology could enhance brain function and offer new treatments for neural damage.

You’re not here to make friends

Startup Real Talk • 727 implied HN points • 19 Apr 23
💼 Business Startups
  1. Your job as a leader is not to be well-liked, but to be effective.
  2. Making unpopular decisions is necessary for the success of your startup.
  3. It's impossible to make everyone happy, focus on being an effective leader instead of being popular.