The hottest Startups Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Business Topics

Intercom’s "top to bottom" AI bet 🏊‍♀️

The SaaS Baton • 58 implied HN points • 24 May 23
💼 Business Startups
  1. Intercom is exploring the impact of integrating generative AI on product strategy and cost structures.
  2. Maze learned to differentiate between churn they wanted to improve and churn they didn't.
  3. When fundraising, focus on pitching vision or traction but not both, aim to get the first check early, and recognize when investors are not interested.

Compensation for Startups: Implementing and “Defending” Your Compensation System

Lessons • 58 implied HN points • 05 Aug 23
💼 Business Startups
  1. When implementing a compensation system for startups, focus on simplicity to ensure sustainability.
  2. Establish centralized control to maintain the integrity of the system and avoid potential errors.
  3. Key steps for initial implementation include creating/updating leveling system, designing compensation philosophy, and mapping employees to new levels and bands.
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API Renaissance: The Dawn of API Unicorns Supporting Invisible Apps

Alex Furmansky - Magnetic Growth • 58 implied HN points • 26 Apr 23
🕹 Technology Startups
  1. The future may see billion-dollar startups without websites or apps, catering more to AI bots than humans.
  2. Apps are evolving to serve AI, with a focus on efficient endpoints for AI bots instead of human interactions.
  3. APIs are becoming crucial for AI interactions, leading to opportunities in API generation, documentation, accountability, authentication, paywalling, revenue generation, and marketplace exchanges.

Underdog Founders - Roel builds MOYU to transform the classic notebook.

ChatGPT4 as a CEO and Underdog Founders • 58 implied HN points • 10 Jul 23
💼 Business Startups
  1. Roel created MOYU to make sustainable notebooks from stone paper that can be reused 500 times.
  2. Despite challenges like marketing restrictions and COVID-19, MOYU successfully crowdfunded and won awards for sustainability.
  3. Roel prioritizes solving environmental problems he cares about over following industry trends like AI or blockchain integration.

Navigating Culture in a Scaling Startup

Suzan's Fieldnotes • 58 implied HN points • 17 Apr 23
💼 Business Startups
  1. Startups thrive in chaos and rapid change, which can be exciting for those who enjoy a fast pace and quick growth.
  2. Communicating effectively in a rapidly scaling startup requires balancing speed and quality, ensuring team-wide understanding and coordination.
  3. Guiding culture during rapid growth involves hiring for cultural fit, seeking feedback from peers, and finding leadership support that empowers and believes in you.

Acquirers won't bail you out.

99% Derisible • 58 implied HN points • 05 Apr 23
💼 Business Startups
  1. Bigger companies won't save struggling startups through acquisitions.
  2. Instead of being bailed out, struggling companies may face closure from the big acquirers.
  3. Startups should not rely on the hope of acquisition but have hard conversations early on.

~ $100,000 Revenue with a simple Mac app

startupsemail • 58 implied HN points • 26 Aug 23
💼 Business Startups
  1. Building a simple Mac app can generate significant revenue like $100,000.
  2. Focusing on marketing instead of backend complexity can be a successful strategy for indie hackers.
  3. Products like online bio link tools and investor databases have high revenue potential and room for growth.

Is Stripe expensive, or is Adyen cheap?

Alex's Personal Blog • 65 implied HN points • 28 Feb 25
💼 Business Startups
  1. Startups are growing faster than ever, hitting $5 million in annual revenue quicker than before. This shows that today's startups have better opportunities and strategies to scale up.
  2. Self-driving technology is making great progress, with companies like Waymo doubling their paid rides in less than a year. This suggests that self-driving cars are becoming more reliable and popular.
  3. Comparing Stripe and Adyen reveals that Stripe is investing heavily in future growth while Adyen focuses on efficiency and profits. This difference shows how each company has its own strategy to succeed in the market.

A Tale of a Close Partnership

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 39 implied HN points • 20 Dec 23
🕹 Technology Startups
  1. AMD has partnered with Lamini to help startups create and run generative AI products using AMD GPUs. This collaboration started in September and aims to address the GPU shortage in the AI industry.
  2. Lamini disclosed that they have been exclusively using AMD GPUs for the past year, showcasing their commitment to this partnership. They even highlighted their continuous use of AMD hardware at an AI event.
  3. Together, AMD and Lamini have developed the LLM Superstation, a powerful supercomputer equipped with 128 AMD Instinct GPUs. This setup allows businesses to train large AI models more effectively.

Addressing the Hathi in the Room

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 39 implied HN points • 19 Dec 23
🕹 Technology Startups
  1. Sarvam.ai recently launched OpenHathi, a new Hindi language model that surprised many in the tech industry.
  2. They raised $41 million in funding to develop language models for various Indian languages.
  3. OpenHathi uses Meta's Llama 2 model and plans to add support for nine to ten more Indic languages soon.

The Sequence Radar #472: Remember this Name: Ndea

TheSequence • 77 implied HN points • 19 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Startups
  1. Ndea is a new AI lab aiming to create artificial general intelligence (AGI) with a unique approach called guided program synthesis. This approach allows models to learn efficiently from fewer examples.
  2. Francois Chollet, a well-known AI expert, is leading Ndea. He believes current deep learning methods have limitations and wants to explore new ideas for better AI development.
  3. The goal of Ndea is to drive quick scientific advancements by combining program synthesis with deep learning, aiming to tackle tough challenges and possibly discover new scientific frontiers.

One more IPO for the road

Alex's Personal Blog • 98 implied HN points • 15 Nov 24
💰 Finance Startups
  1. WeRide and Pony.AI are two self-driving companies going public after some ups and downs in their stock prices. WeRide's stock is doing okay since listing, while Pony.AI is also gearing up for its IPO.
  2. Investors are showing strong interest in these companies because they focus on the growing robotaxi market in China. People want to invest directly in self-driving ventures instead of just betting on big companies like Alphabet.
  3. Both companies have potential for growth and are attracting capital to expand their services. This excitement around self-driving technology might lead to significant developments in the future.

India's LLM Moment is Here

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 39 implied HN points • 18 Dec 23
🕹 Technology Startups
  1. Indian companies are launching new large language models (LLMs) like BharatGPT and OpenHathi, showcasing exciting developments in AI.
  2. Ola's Krutrim is unique because it's not just using existing models but creating its own LLMs and the technology to support them from scratch.
  3. These advancements in AI technology could have a big impact on various sectors, highlighting India's growing role in the global AI landscape.

Edge 437: Inside BlackMamba, One of the Most Important SSM Models Ever Created

TheSequence • 112 implied HN points • 08 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Startups
  1. BlackMamba combines two powerful AI techniques: mixture-of-experts (MoEs) and state space models (SSMs). This helps it process long sequences and solve various AI tasks more effectively.
  2. The Mamba SSM is known for its efficiency, and BlackMamba builds on that strength while improving performance with MoE strategies.
  3. The creator is starting a new company focused on AI evaluation and benchmarking, looking for team members with expertise in these areas.

Five Business Ideas - March 24, 2024

Five Business Ideas • 19 implied HN points • 24 Mar 24
💼 Business Startups
  1. The post shares five innovative business ideas like GitHub for books and a travel company focused on sports.
  2. One of the ideas mentioned is about creating a platform like Tinder for cofounders.
  3. The post encourages readers to engage by sharing their thoughts or suggesting their own business ideas in the comments.

Shut up and Build!

Play Permissionless • 99 implied HN points • 12 Jan 23
💼 Business Startups
  1. Focusing on building and taking action can lead to concrete results and improvements in income.
  2. Building a service first, then turning internal tools into standalone products can provide value and stable cash flow.
  3. Taking a step back from the 'indie hacker game' mindset and following a proven playbook of service-oriented growth can lead to more sustainable success.

What I'm preparing for in 2025

next big thing • 76 implied HN points • 08 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Startups
  1. AI is becoming a big part of software development, allowing small teams to create successful products quickly and efficiently. By 2025, we will see a lot more companies thriving because of this.
  2. We are moving towards using AI not just as helpers but as real team members. In 2025, AI will be more about collaboration rather than just assistance.
  3. There will be breakthroughs in other technologies like healthcare or energy that could surprise us, just as AI did in the past. These advancements will create new opportunities for startups.

Tips for managing your startup's cash

Startup Real Talk • 194 implied HN points • 12 Mar 24
💼 Business Startups
  1. The main goals for managing startup cash are capital preservation, liquidity, and income in that order.
  2. Keeping startup cash in a startup-friendly primary account and a secondary operating account is recommended.
  3. Investing the remaining cash in Treasury bills is a safe strategy, and it's important not to chase yield with riskier investment products.

Rabbit Holes 🕳️ #122

Creative Destruction • 30 implied HN points • 02 Jul 25
💼 Business Startups
  1. Using AI tools like ChatGPT is changing how we communicate. We're starting to sound more robotic and losing some of our human touch in conversations.
  2. There's a big gap between how much CEOs make compared to average workers. This inequality is growing and is often ignored, but it's important to recognize and address it.
  3. Startups are shifting from focusing on rapid growth and hiring to being lean and efficient, using AI to achieve more with fewer employees. This new approach is called 'botscaling.'

Lessons For Startup Founders From A TPM

Building Rome(s) • 5 implied HN points • 09 Dec 25
💼 Business Startups
  1. Keep clarity even when the future is uncertain: set a simple vision, tactical goals, timeframes, and clear owners so the team can scale without heavyweight process.
  2. Prioritize ruthlessly and learn to say no; using a “no log” helps the team see what you intentionally set aside and keeps focus on what matters.
  3. Build minimal, evolving systems that prevent chaos and surface hidden work—use a single roadmap, release-based planning, regular demos, decision logs, and launch checklists to make dependencies and debt visible.

31 well known businesses that launched during recessions.

Jon’s Newsletter • 139 implied HN points • 04 Dec 22
💼 Business Startups
  1. Many successful companies were created during tough economic times. This shows that challenges can spark innovation and new ideas.
  2. Starting a business in a recession often means lower competition and the chance to fill gaps in the market. This can help new businesses stand out.
  3. The stories of these companies remind us that adversity can lead to creativity and growth, proving that tough times can produce great opportunities.

My Path to CTO, Part I

The Engineering Manager • 7 implied HN points • 26 Nov 25
💼 Business Startups
  1. It's important to explore your interests and be open to new opportunities, even if they seem random. This can guide your career path unexpectedly.
  2. Different experiences and passions can help you stand out in your field. Being unique can lead to new chances and growth.
  3. Listening to your gut and knowing what you want from work is crucial. Sometimes, experiences show you what you want to avoid in your career.

Risk Tolerance is Earned

Superfluid • 92 implied HN points • 30 Oct 24
💼 Business Startups
  1. Risk tolerance grows by taking small risks over time. You don't have to make huge moves right away; start with little steps to build your confidence.
  2. Working in a challenging environment, like a startup, can push you beyond your comfort zone. This can help you find what really matters to you in your career.
  3. Stability is often a goal for many, especially for those with immigrant backgrounds. However, it's important to aim high and take calculated risks to discover new opportunities.

Put up the bat signal

Abe • 63 implied HN points • 07 Feb 25
💼 Business Startups
  1. Founders should proactively communicate with their network, even before they have a concrete idea. This helps to create opportunities and attract support.
  2. Sharing updates on social media and networking can lead to valuable connections and feedback. It allows for genuine interactions that can spark new ideas.
  3. Being authentic and offering value in conversations builds trust and strengthens relationships. This approach can lead to unexpected collaboration and opportunities down the road.

How much capital can startups profitably eat?

Alex's Personal Blog • 65 implied HN points • 04 Feb 25
💼 Business Startups
  1. Startups seem to have a limit on how much money they can handle, known as being 'founder constrained'. This means that there are not enough strong ideas or founders to support the cash available.
  2. There has been a drop in the success rate of startups getting further funding after their initial rounds. This is particularly true for those that started during the funding boom in 2021.
  3. Venture capital returns from funds initiated in 2021 are underperforming, likely due to an excess of companies funded without sufficient quality ideas or founders backing them.

Build unreasonable things

Sunday Letters • 119 implied HN points • 30 Jan 23
🕹 Technology Startups
  1. We are entering a new tech era, especially with AI, which opens up many exciting possibilities. It's important to not just focus on small improvements, but aim for bigger ideas instead.
  2. Thinking big might sound crazy to others, but history shows that ambitious ideas can turn into reality, like Amazon or Google. Don't be afraid to dream and build something that seems impossible today.
  3. As technology improves, we should imagine what we could create when things are faster and cheaper. It's crucial to think ahead and aim for the future, even if it's a challenge.

A Thankful Note

Interconnected • 231 implied HN points • 22 Nov 23
💼 Business Startups
  1. The author expresses gratitude for support from subscribers and readers.
  2. Thanksgiving holds personal significance for the author, combining birthday celebrations and favorite food.
  3. Energy and support from readers have fueled the author's entrepreneurial pursuits and encouraged growth.

The Deals That Change Your Life

Equal Ventures • 99 implied HN points • 19 Sep 22
💼 Business Startups
  1. Focus on seeking out deals that can genuinely change your life, rather than getting caught up in every potential investment opportunity.
  2. Identify life-changing opportunities through exceptional founders, significant market potential, and passionately pursued theses.
  3. Invest time and effort in deeply understanding and cultivating potential life-changing deals, even if it means less deal flow and a more time-intensive process.

Tech is Going to Get Much Bigger

Not Boring by Packy McCormick • 232 implied HN points • 08 Nov 23
🕹 Technology Startups
  1. Tech is going to expand significantly as energy, intelligence, and labor become cheaper and more abundant.
  2. Tech companies will grow larger due to their ability to provide scalable intelligence and dexterity services to various industries.
  3. Every market will start to resemble a software market with lower costs, higher margins, and increased R&D investments.

Building Codiga: Joining an Accelerator

Tech Ramblings • 59 implied HN points • 17 Aug 23
💼 Business Startups
  1. Joining an accelerator can help you learn quickly and meet important people, but be ready to give up some ownership of your company. It's like a startup driving school to avoid crashing and get valuable lessons.
  2. While many resources are now available online for free, accelerators can still provide connections and credibility, especially for new entrepreneurs. Just remember, the support usually ends when the program does.
  3. Getting rejected from an accelerator isn’t the end; it doesn’t mean your idea is bad. Keep trying and consider other ways to grow your business—like bootstrapping or finding partners.