The hottest Startups Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Business Topics

OpenAI & Grand Strategy

Not Boring by Packy McCormick • 299 implied HN points • 22 Nov 23
🕹 Technology Startups
  1. Grand strategy in tech involves aligning aspirations with capabilities.
  2. Building capabilities over time is essential for achieving ambitious goals.
  3. Maintaining flexibility, forming alliances, and understanding the bigger picture are key aspects of becoming a successful grand strategist.

The Contest for Japan’s Economic Future

Japan Economy Watch • 39 implied HN points • 11 Jan 24
💼 Business Startups
  1. Japan's stagnant economy could see a revival through a new generation of entrepreneurs and major social changes opening new opportunities.
  2. Challenges to progress in Japan include difficulty in bank financing, resistance to change by powerful entities, and the inflexibility of the traditional system with aspects like lifetime employment.
  3. Notable experts have endorsed the book 'The Contest for Japan's Economic Future', praising its analysis and recommendations for tapping into entrepreneurial potential in Japan.

How Snyk fails

Frankly Speaking • 355 implied HN points • 16 Aug 23
🕹 Technology Startups
  1. Snyk is a developer-focused application security product that integrates security into the development process.
  2. Snyk's core product is a software composition analysis (SCA) tool that quickly detects vulnerabilities in dependencies.
  3. Despite success, all startups, including Snyk, still have the possibility of failure.

Kuration #269 Week Recap

KURATION • 39 implied HN points • 08 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Startups
  1. Kuration provides a weekly recap of top tech and media headlines
  2. The recap includes a variety of topics from CES updates to AI investing
  3. Readers can subscribe to stay up-to-date with the latest news and trends
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Your guide to PLG pricing 201

Kyle Poyar’s Growth Unhinged • 449 implied HN points • 12 Apr 23
💼 Business Startups
  1. Pricing for PLG products should focus on team monetization, not just individual users.
  2. Pay attention to the admin experience in PLG pricing to facilitate bottom-up growth within organizations.
  3. Offer value that attracts high-value customers and encourages them to grow with your product.

Introducing Steelhead

Steelhead • 39 implied HN points • 05 Jan 24
💼 Business Startups
  1. The name 'Steelhead' for the substack comes from its connection to the challenging, yet rewarding nature of startup building and investing, similar to the difficulty of catching a Steelhead fish.
  2. Erik Zahnlecker's newsletter will focus on topics related to company building and investing, drawing from his personal experiences and industry trends.
  3. Starting a business or investing is tough and often comes with a low success rate, but the potential rewards can be significant for those who persevere through the challenges.

Uber is getting back into the self-driving game

Alex's Personal Blog • 32 implied HN points • 17 Jul 25
🕹 Technology Startups
  1. Uber is re-entering the self-driving market by partnering with Lucid and Nuro to launch a new robotaxi service. They plan to invest heavily and deploy thousands of vehicles in major US cities.
  2. AI investment is on the rise in Europe, with funding for AI-native startups increasing significantly, indicating growing interest and development in the field.
  3. There's a proposal to allow regular people to invest in private equity through their 401ks, which could open up new investment opportunities, but comes with risks due to the complexity of private investments.

Don't give your investors common stock.

The Founder Memo • 19 implied HN points • 28 Apr 24
💼 Business Startups
  1. Investors should receive preferred stock, while those who contribute time and effort get common stock. This keeps things clear and avoids complications.
  2. Issuing common stock to investors can inflate the stock price and make it harder for employees to buy in. Using preferred stock keeps the value lower for common shares.
  3. Mixing stock types complicates corporate governance, making it tougher to manage rights and responsibilities. It's best to keep it simple with preferred for money and common for effort.

How we built a business out of recession - chapter 53 - we've only gone and done it

The ZIPster • 35 implied HN points • 04 Jul 25
💼 Business Startups
  1. CitNOW started at a kitchen table and grew into a successful company, showcasing how a small idea can turn into something big.
  2. After years of hard work, the founders sold the company in 2018, marking an important milestone in their journey.
  3. The experience of selling the company was surreal and emotional, reminding them of how far they had come together.

AI for Hedge Funds Tracker

Magis • 36 implied HN points • 22 Jun 25
💰 Finance Startups
  1. The list of AI startups for hedge funds is regularly updated to include new companies that are relevant to investors. It is centralized on a personal website for easier access.
  2. Startups chosen for the list are specifically focused on hedge fund needs and not just general productivity tools. This means only certain AI tools that cater to hedge funds are included.
  3. Future classifications of these startups will consider the backgrounds of their founders and the types of products offered, helping to identify patterns in the AI tools being developed.

How to 'test' your messaging to find Message-Market Fit

Startup Business Tips 🚀 • 25 implied HN points • 10 Aug 25
💼 Business Startups
  1. Finding message-market fit (MMF) is crucial for SaaS businesses before they aim for product-market fit. You need to ensure your messaging connects with your ideal customers to avoid future marketing problems.
  2. To test your messaging effectively, create clear hypotheses and target relevant audiences on appropriate channels. Keep track of what messages are used and how they perform.
  3. Use structured methods to analyze results after testing. Look for significant improvements in lead conversion rates and take feedback from your sales team to refine your messaging.

I'm back, 2025 is THE year.

Abe • 78 implied HN points • 28 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Startups
  1. AI technology is advancing quickly and is making tasks easier and faster. Many people are starting to see big benefits from using AI tools in their work.
  2. The focus is shifting from just building products to understanding customer needs first, especially when using AI. It's important to sell the idea before jumping into development.
  3. There is a strong interest in using AI in practical ways to create new business solutions, rather than competing in the complex technical infrastructure of AI. Many are looking for innovative ways to apply AI to solve real-world problems.

SpaceX is Killing It

startupdreams • 105 implied HN points • 19 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Startups
  1. SpaceX has stopped taking new Starlink customers in some US cities, which shows how far its internet service has come in just a decade after being doubted.
  2. Starlink has over 6,000 satellites in space and 5 million active users, meaning it brings in a lot of cash that can support SpaceX's other projects.
  3. With the successful launch of the Starship rocket, SpaceX plans to have over 400 launches of Starship in the next four years, showing their commitment to advancing space technology.

All the AI circus you can fit in a single tent

Alex's Personal Blog • 32 implied HN points • 14 Jul 25
🕹 Technology Startups
  1. Big companies are increasingly hiring talent from smaller AI firms instead of fully buying them out, which is leaving those startups in tough positions. This trend means more competition but can also hurt innovation.
  2. Many kids are using AI chatbots and turning to them for companionship, showing a growing acceptance of AI in everyday life. This could change how younger generations interact with technology and each other.
  3. Some new AI models from Chinese companies are impressing the tech world and could challenge established players in the market. The race for AI development is global and is not just dominated by American companies.

AI Eats the World

The Product Channel By Sid Saladi • 6 implied HN points • 15 Dec 25
🕹 Technology Startups
  1. AI is the next major platform shift with huge, uncertain upside and massive infrastructure spending that reshapes who can compete.
  2. Models are converging into commodities, so the real value will come from products, distribution, and embedding AI into workflows that users actually trust.
  3. Treat AI as “infinite interns”: focus on tasks that tolerate errors, add verification or supervision, and pursue vertical unbundling where automation replaces tedious human work.

What Year One of Building an AI Company Taught Me

The Incrementalist • 4 implied HN points • 01 Jan 26
💼 Business Startups
  1. Speed and constant shipping don’t create clarity; clarity comes from restraint, simplifying the product, and tightening the loop so the product feels obvious not just impressive.
  2. You can’t outsource judgment — you earn it by sitting with ambiguity, watching what actually works in your specific context, and updating your beliefs based on results.
  3. The real product is judgment and reliable systems that handle messy, real work; build systems that remember, can be inspected and corrected, and manage exceptions over time.

🔮 Launching State of the Future_The Worlds First Deep Tech Tracker #001

Let Us Face the Future • 218 implied HN points • 24 May 23
🕹 Technology Startups
  1. State of the Future is a deep tech tracker covering a wide range of technologies like computer vision, generative AI, and quantum hardware.
  2. The three main trends identified in the future include solving productivity paradox, the shift from software in digital world to real world, and having optimism for the future.
  3. Important news includes suppressing quantum errors, challenges faced by Amazon's drone delivery project, and closures of vertical farming startups due to high costs.

Protege

next big thing • 23 implied HN points • 13 Aug 25
💼 Business Startups
  1. Protege is a new platform that connects data providers with companies needing data for AI training. This makes it easier for businesses to find and use important data.
  2. The company has grown rapidly, working with over 100 data providers in areas like healthcare and media. Their success has attracted major AI companies as customers.
  3. Protege's team has a strong background in data management, which helps them stay on top of their game. They are consistently innovating and expanding their services.

Series B Activity: July 2023

Magid and Co • 59 implied HN points • 08 Aug 23
💼 Business Startups
  1. Data on Series B deals done in July 2023 is available for download in PDF format
  2. The summary stats include data on Series B deals done worldwide (ex-China) with an amount raised greater than $5M, excluding companies focused on therapeutics
  3. Readers are encouraged to forward the information to anyone planning to raise an A or B round in the next six months

Building Codiga: Choosing Advisors

Tech Ramblings • 59 implied HN points • 26 Sep 23
💼 Business Startups
  1. When choosing advisors for your startup, make sure they can provide real value. Some people only want to collect equity without helping you.
  2. Look for advisors with different perspectives and experience than you. They should challenge your thinking and guide you in important decisions.
  3. Advisors should be motivated to help for the right reasons, not just for money. Choose those who are passionate about your mission and want to support your growth.

18 months since - funding statistics for the 2021 space startup cohort

Intersections (by Filip) • 59 implied HN points • 17 Aug 23
🕹 Technology Startups
  1. Raw data reveals the financial landscape of space startups in 2021, with significant amounts invested and patterns in subsequent funding rounds.
  2. Data collection discrepancies highlight the importance of a diverse dataset and the impact of subsequent funding on company growth and investor interest.
  3. Understanding the timeline of funding, company failures, loyal investors, and the need for continuous rounds sheds light on the complexities and challenges faced by space startups.

Coreweave is going public!

Alex's Personal Blog • 65 implied HN points • 04 Mar 25
💼 Business Startups
  1. Coreweave is going public and has seen impressive revenue growth, largely due to a specific focus on AI workloads. They claim that their services are specially built to handle the demands of AI, allowing for high efficiency.
  2. The company is heavily reliant on just a few big customers, with Microsoft providing a significant portion of its revenue. This raises concerns about sustainability if Microsoft decides to cut back on their services.
  3. While Coreweave's expenses are high from investing in infrastructure, they expect to break even on these investments fairly quickly. However, future demand for their services is crucial for their ongoing success.

What's Behind the SynBio Bust?

Rough Diamonds • 72 implied HN points • 30 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Startups
  1. Synthetic biology and biomanufacturing can be expensive. It's usually cheaper to make simple chemicals using traditional methods than using living organisms.
  2. Biomanufacturing startups need to focus on products that can only be made with biological processes. If they try to compete on common products, they will struggle.
  3. Successful biomanufacturing requires good teamwork between design and manufacturing. Companies that only focus on one part of the process often face big problems.

Top 8 Startup Ideas to Build in 2024!

startupsemail • 39 implied HN points • 23 Dec 23
💼 Business Startups
  1. Top 8 startup ideas for building in 2024 are highlighted, including a weekend getaway planner and a social listening platform called BuzzMonitor.
  2. One of the startup ideas is NewsPass, a solution to simplify access to news articles without paywalls through a single subscription service.
  3. Effortlessly hiring designers and developers with Outsourced, a platform offering pre-screened talent at a fixed monthly rate, is also showcased in the post.

Comparing the Financials of Databricks and Snowflake

Tanay’s Newsletter • 82 implied HN points • 30 Dec 24
💼 Business Startups
  1. Databricks is growing faster than Snowflake, with a revenue growth rate of 57% compared to Snowflake's 27%. However, Snowflake remains more profitable at this point.
  2. Databricks is currently valued higher than Snowflake due to its strong growth potential and better positioning in the AI market. This could lead to a significant payoff for them in the long run.
  3. Snowflake and Databricks have different business strategies, with Snowflake focusing on profitability and Databricks investing heavily in growth and product development, especially in AI technologies.

Nvidia and the AI scaling wall, and what founder mode really is

Alex's Personal Blog • 98 implied HN points • 21 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Startups
  1. Nvidia is experiencing strong demand for its new Blackwell GPUs, which are expected to outperform previous models. Major companies are eager to integrate these powerful chips into their systems.
  2. The concept of 'founder mode' is about being deeply involved in the critical details of your business. It's not just about delegating tasks, but collaborating closely with team members to achieve great outcomes.
  3. The AI industry continues to evolve with new ways to improve model performance. Nvidia's focus on scaling in various aspects shows that innovation in AI is still very much alive.

UX Roundup: ChatGPT Agent | Opportunities Change Behavior | Breadcrumbs | UX Career Pivot | Make Viral Thumbnails | Startups Driven by AI | Enterprise Use of AI | Design Thinking | UX Jobs

Jakob Nielsen on UX • 29 implied HN points • 21 Jul 25
🕹 Technology Startups
  1. The new ChatGPT Agent helps users interact more easily without needing to visit websites. It's changing how we think about user interfaces.
  2. With advancements in technology, like smartphones and AI, people change their behaviors to make the most of new opportunities. We can't exactly predict what they'll do, but it’s going to be big.
  3. Breadcrumbs are a useful tool on websites that help people find their way back when they get lost. They're simple to use and make navigating a website much easier.

Next 40 & French Tech 120: Sale histoire

Venture Prose • 778 implied HN points • 19 Jan 20
💼 Business Startups
  1. The French Tech rankings like Next 40 and French Tech 120 can be controversial and unfair in their selection process, often favoring hyper-growth companies with large funding over sustainable, profitable ones.
  2. Historically, stock markets for small to medium-sized companies have shown limited success, revealing the challenges of creating liquidity, building reputation, and accessing funding through such platforms.
  3. The government's initiatives for startups, like employee incentive plans and hiring foreign talent, have a positive impact on the development of French tech companies, despite the controversies surrounding certain rankings.

Saturday Sprouting Reads (Digital Agronomy, Farm Laws, Corteva's 'Bioquisition', Alternative Protein Funding, Production Hubs in Agriculture)

Agribusiness Matters • 58 implied HN points • 11 Mar 23
💼 Business Startups
  1. Analysis of Farm Laws in India suggests a steady reformist trajectory in agricultural markets, which was in progress even before the laws were repealed.
  2. Corteva's acquisition of Symborg and Stoller Group highlights the shift towards biologicals in crop protection as a growing segment.
  3. Investments in alternative proteins show a trend of non-American startups receiving significant funding, with plant-based startups receiving the most investments.