The hottest Startups Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Business Topics

Zenly & BeReal : What Do They Have In Common ?

Venture Prose • 339 implied HN points • 30 Mar 22
💼 Business Startups
  1. Successful mobile social consumer apps like Zenly and BeReal have deeply invested Founding Product CEOs who are intentional and growth-minded in their execution.
  2. The CEOs of Zenly and BeReal are deeply rooted in their narratives and are obsessed with realizing their aspirations, even through challenges and discouragements.
  3. Both Antoine and Alexis prioritize principled obsession regarding their mission, leading with honest and caring principles that inspire those around them.

Gumroad Wallet, A $100M Opportunity

Money in Transit • 58 implied HN points • 04 Jan 24
💼 Business Startups
  1. Gumroad might be missing out on a $100 million opportunity by not leveraging creators' transactions within the platform efficiently.
  2. Digital wallets could revolutionize Gumroad's business model, allowing for direct transactions and lower fees for creators.
  3. Gumroad's pricing structure change indicates a need to evolve in the face of rising competition and changing economic landscapes.

What are the implications for startups in a post-DeepSeek world?

Entry Level Investing • 117 implied HN points • 03 Feb 25
💼 Business Startups
  1. Big tech companies are best at pushing AI technology forward because they have the resources. Startups may struggle to compete in this area.
  2. Selling AI models alone isn't a good business strategy anymore. Prices are dropping due to easier replication by other companies.
  3. There's a huge opportunity to build AI applications right now. With better models available, startups can create innovative products that solve real problems for customers.

How to Build a World Class Engternship Program

Jake [Building in NYC] • 39 implied HN points • 27 Feb 24
💼 Business Startups
  1. Internship programs often fail because interns get little guidance and engage in low-value projects. Startups need to realize that internships shouldn't just be about cheap labor but setting interns up for success.
  2. Effective internships focus on growth and clear expectations. Setting clear roles and feedback practices helps interns feel engaged and lets them know how to succeed.
  3. Building a supportive culture is key. Grouping interns, encouraging pair programming, and giving them ownership of tasks help create a positive learning environment.
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Opp Consulting is a Scam

startupdreams • 105 implied HN points • 25 Feb 25
💼 Business Startups
  1. Opp Consulting promised qualified leads and guaranteed meetings but failed to deliver. Instead, they sent mass emails that damaged the company's reputation.
  2. The consulting service charged a lot of money but did not follow through on their commitments. After 90 days, not a single meeting was scheduled.
  3. If you're considering using Opp Consulting, it's best to stay away to avoid wasting your resources. They have been labeled a scam based on this experience.

Introducing Boring News

Not Boring by Packy McCormick • 144 implied HN points • 03 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Startups
  1. Boring News is a new daily news show that uses prediction markets and AI to deliver important stories. It aims to present news in a clear and straightforward way without the usual sensationalism.
  2. Instead of relying on human opinions, Boring News uses market odds and AI analysis to explain news stories. This approach is meant to provide more accurate and less biased information.
  3. The creators believe that tools like prediction markets can improve journalism by making it more reliable. They hope to free up journalists for deeper, more meaningful reporting while providing readers with easy access to news.

What I learned working at a high-growth crypto startup

Parth's Playground • 141 implied HN points • 05 Dec 24
🔮 Crypto Startups
  1. In a fast-changing startup, there's often no clear right answer. Instead of seeking perfect alignment, focus on taking thoughtful action based on your intuition and feedback.
  2. Expect frequent changes in your role and company direction. Embracing unpredictability can help you adapt quickly and align your work with the company's goals.
  3. It's crucial to build specific knowledge in your field to stand out. Deep expertise leads to better opportunities and helps you make meaningful connections.

The Greek Analyst exposing himself...

The Greek Analyst • 579 implied HN points • 22 Aug 21
💼 Business Startups
  1. The Greek Analyst is transitioning from sharing short takes on Twitter to longer, in-depth content covering startups, economics, geopolitics, and more.
  2. Greece and Europe are showing resilience and growth in the tech industry, offering promising opportunities and a rich landscape for tech advancements.
  3. Europe and Greece are entering a golden age for tech, with a flourishing startup scene, significant investments, and a shift towards risk-taking, leading to a bright future in innovation.

The PMF Paradox: Why Winning in AI Means Never Arriving

The Product Channel By Sid Saladi • 6 implied HN points • 04 Jan 26
💼 Business Startups
  1. Product-market fit in AI isn’t a permanent destination but a treadmill that needs constant work to maintain.
  2. Winners can flip to losers very quickly because growth and valuations swing wildly and most AI startups fail fast.
  3. The old PMF playbook no longer works; companies must continuously iterate, monitor metrics, and adapt product and strategy to survive.

Official provincial commentary on DeepSeek

Pekingnology • 113 implied HN points • 29 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Startups
  1. DeepSeek, a Chinese AI company, has gained international attention for its open-source technology, which allows researchers around the world to access and use it. This approach is seen as a major strength of the company.
  2. The cost-effectiveness of DeepSeek's AI model is highlighted, showing that it achieves high performance at a fraction of the cost compared to similar models in the U.S. This makes AI development more accessible.
  3. The rise of DeepSeek shows that innovation and technological progress can flourish even when facing challenges like export restrictions and competition. Trusting young talent and fostering collaboration are key to success in tech development.

1x, Stretch 3, Hippo Harvest, Jacobi Robotics, OpenAI and Earthgrid

Robots & Startups • 39 implied HN points • 18 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Startups
  1. Consumer mistrust and potential legal issues may arise with AI in robotics, similar to the Air Canada chatbot case
  2. OpenAI's recent deal values the company at over $80 billion, tripling its worth and positioning it as one of the most valuable tech startups globally
  3. Stretch 3 by Hello Robot is a new home robot designed to assist with tasks like folding laundry, showcasing advancements in AI

GTM Foundation: How SaaS Founders grow from €0 to €1M ARR (Part 3)

Startup Business Tips 🚀 • 47 implied HN points • 29 Jun 25
💼 Business Startups
  1. Pricing should be flexible as your business grows. Start with a simple model and adapt it based on customer feedback and sales progress.
  2. Choose a sales strategy that matches how your customers want to buy. Stick to one approach, whether it's product-led or sales-led.
  3. Keep track of key metrics and use a CRM to understand your customers and improve your sales process. This information helps you make better decisions.

Startup Blog #1

The Schematic • 19 implied HN points • 02 May 24
💼 Business Startups
  1. The author is starting a blog to document the building of a startup, Cauto, while keeping the company's premise a secret until launch.
  2. They had to pivot their business idea for Cauto after realizing that their initial plan of creating code graphing software was overly complex and already present in the market.
  3. The author emphasizes the importance of discussing Cauto in public to receive feedback and stay accountable.

MistralAI Reveals the Mystery

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 59 implied HN points • 13 Dec 23
🕹 Technology Startups
  1. MistralAI has launched a new model called Mixtral 8x7B that is faster and more efficient than competitors like Llama 2 70B. It can provide great performance while being cost-effective.
  2. Mixtral can handle a lot of information at once, processing up to 32,000 tokens and supporting multiple languages such as English, French, and German.
  3. This model also shows strong abilities in generating code and can be fine-tuned to follow instructions well, which is helpful for various applications.

Pluid: An Educational Web3 Platform

The Loop News • 78 implied HN points • 22 Oct 23
🕹 Technology Startups
  1. Pluid is an educational platform focused on teaching about NFTs in the Web3 industry.
  2. Pluid provides curated content through various mediums for users of all levels.
  3. The platform aims to keep users informed with content from industry leaders.

How we built a business out of recession - final chapter 54 - the after party

The ZIPster • 44 implied HN points • 11 Jul 25
💼 Business Startups
  1. CitNOW was started from a kitchen table and eventually sold, highlighting how businesses can grow even during tough times. It shows that dedication and hard work can pay off.
  2. After selling the company, the founders experienced a mix of relief and uncertainty as the new owners didn't communicate much about the company's future. This emphasizes the importance of support and transparency in business.
  3. The founders moved on to new ventures and enjoyed personal growth after selling CitNOW. This shows that life can change positively after big transitions.

How To Restore Japan As A Startup Nation

Japan Economy Watch • 299 implied HN points • 27 May 22
💼 Business Startups
  1. The number of high-growth enterprises is essential for economic growth and innovation.
  2. The importance of supporting startups with policies like tax incentives and easier access to financing.
  3. The need for strategic investments in human capital, such as digital skills education, to drive growth in modern industries.

The Parable of the Startup

Rethinking Software • 149 implied HN points • 18 Oct 24
💼 Business Startups
  1. The founder promised each employee a share of ownership to create a feeling of equality. This made everyone feel included and valued in the startup.
  2. Everyone received the same amount of shares regardless of how long they had been there. This caused some confusion and frustration among long-term employees who expected more.
  3. In the end, the founder showed that he also valued his contribution by only taking one share like everyone else. This helped unite the team under a common goal and ownership spirit.

The Ugly Duckling

The Last Bear Standing • 38 implied HN points • 18 Jul 25
💼 Business Startups
  1. The company has faced serious challenges and its stock price dropped significantly, but it has started to show signs of recovery. It's important to see the potential for growth despite the risks involved.
  2. Recent changes in legislation and financial support are set to help the company and its industry grow even more. This could lead to more opportunities and better results in the future.
  3. Investing in this company is not for the faint of heart, but if things go well, it could turn from an 'ugly duckling' into a successful business that catches everyone's attention.

Series B Activity: January 2024

Magid and Co • 39 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
💼 Business Startups
  1. Series B deal volume increased significantly in January compared to December, which is positive news for founders seeking funding.
  2. Data focused on Series B deals globally (excluding China) with amounts raised over $5M and companies not centered on therapeutics.
  3. The post provides insights into recent Series B activity, highlighting key statistics and trends in the sector.

Codiga, the beginning

Tech Ramblings • 99 implied HN points • 09 Aug 23
💼 Business Startups
  1. The desire to build a company can drive personal change, even affecting relationships. It's important to align your personal goals with those you care about.
  2. Starting a business is a long process filled with ups and downs. Expect to make mistakes, but also learn from the good decisions you make along the way.
  3. Sharing experiences and learnings from your startup journey can help others succeed. It's valuable to offer advice based on your own challenges and triumphs.

June 4: From Chaos To Clarity

Respectful Leadership • 54 implied HN points • 24 May 25
💼 Business Startups
  1. Join a supportive network of startup leaders in New York City. It's a chance to connect with like-minded individuals.
  2. The event includes talks from experts in various fields, sharing insights on investments, technology, and customer experience. You'll learn from their experiences.
  3. The gathering aims to help attendees find clarity amidst chaos. It's about gaining valuable knowledge to navigate the startup landscape better.

Linaxin! Yet Another Nanopore Company

ASeq Newsletter • 7 implied HN points • 18 Dec 25
🕹 Technology Startups
  1. Linaxin is a Chinese company working on solid‑state nanopore sequencing and was newly identified as another player in the nanopore space.
  2. There are very few active solid‑state nanopore companies — some earlier startups like Genvida and RH Genetech appear inactive, leaving only a small handful of contenders.
  3. Public info about Linaxin is limited, but patent filings assigned to Suzhou Lina Core Biotechnology Co Ltd and Nantong University Technology Transfer Center show nanopore‑related inventions, suggesting active IP work.

Dan Sosa adds new flavors of AI to Parsnip 🫔

Friends of Parsnip • 58 implied HN points • 05 Dec 23
🕹 Technology Startups
  1. Dan Sosa brings new AI flavors to Parsnip, merging AI, gastronomy, and passion for learning.
  2. The vision at Parsnip is to use AI to empower people and enhance human experiences, not replace them.
  3. Dan Sosa's background in AI, cooking, and mixology will help Parsnip create personalized learning experiences and bring people together through food.

So you want to start a company. Now what?

Life on the Trail • 78 implied HN points • 30 May 23
💼 Business Startups
  1. Believe in yourself to be a founder, it's a unique role that requires confidence and hustle.
  2. Startup ideas can come from solving your own problem or exploring different sectors to find a big problem worth solving.
  3. Before starting a company, go through ideation, customer research, and validation to increase chances of success.

Surviving SVB 😰😕😅

The SaaS Baton • 78 implied HN points • 15 Mar 23
💼 Business Startups
  1. Surviving a crisis like the SVB chaos requires staying solution-oriented, generating multiple outcomes, and reaching out for support.
  2. In the early days, focusing too much on Product-Led Growth (PLG) without testing through outbound sales can be risky.
  3. Transparency in recruiting, from defining assessments to sharing feedback, can lead to better alignment with candidates and improvement in the hiring process.

Introducing Ian Johnson's Notes

Ian Johnson • 78 implied HN points • 05 Oct 23
💼 Business Startups
  1. Starting a business can be tough - finding product market fit is key.
  2. Ian Johnson has valuable experience in SaaS and GrowthTech.
  3. Ian Johnson's Notes will focus on advice for founders, VCs, and execs on product-market fit and growth.