The hottest Startups Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Business Topics

The Unomr Serial Nanopore

ASeq Newsletter • 21 implied HN points • 16 Jun 25
🕹 Technology Startups
  1. Unomr is a new company from ETH Zurich looking to raise between 2 to 3 million dollars. They have over 1 million dollars in grant funding so far.
  2. The company is developing a platform called 'serial nanopore' which seems to be focused on protein sequencing.
  3. Details on their technology are scarce, but it appears they are working on something innovative in the field of biotechnology.

The Journey of Glovo: Founder Sacha Michaud

The Healthtech Initiative • 1 implied HN point • 01 Feb 26
💼 Business Startups
  1. They tested an unscalable MVP and deliberately kept non-food categories even while losing money, which proved the "anything in your city" idea and let them pivot quickly to groceries during COVID.
  2. They expanded with small, scrappy launch teams who built local operations from the ground up, and those boots-on-the-ground employees became the strongest leaders because they had real skin in the game.
  3. They prioritized market leadership and capital efficiency, exiting losing markets and using logistics data to only enter cities and verticals they could serve under their 30-minute promise, a focus that helped drive their €2.3B acquisition.

#2 How I Select Which Ideas to Build: A Personal Approach

Nittarab’s Substack • 1 HN point • 19 Aug 24
💼 Business Startups
  1. Sharing your idea with others is key to getting feedback and refining your concept. The more you talk about it, the clearer it becomes.
  2. It's important to choose ideas that fit your interests and skills. If you're not passionate about the topic or understand the audience, it's better to pass on it.
  3. Evaluate the market and your competition carefully. Knowing how big the market is and who else is out there can help you understand if your idea has a chance to succeed.

How To Market Like Seth Godin (Part Two)

Day One • 359 implied HN points • 21 Jul 20
💼 Business Startups
  1. Building a strong personal brand is essential for marketing success. Identify what you excel at and focus on teaching that to others.
  2. Be open to pivoting in your marketing strategies based on what will best serve your audience. Making a different promise when necessary can lead to more impactful results.
  3. Start before you feel ready. Taking action and learning along the way is crucial for progress. You don't need to have everything figured out from the beginning.
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Enduring Value

Steelhead • 19 implied HN points • 17 Jan 24
💼 Business Startups
  1. Raising more private capital pre-IPO shows a weak positive correlation with larger enduring public market cap.
  2. Companies that raise more private capital pre-IPO tend to have slightly higher growth rates post-IPO.
  3. There is a weak/negligible positive correlation between raising more private capital pre-IPO and greater enduring sales efficiency.

Everything is broken and that's great

Aliveness Studies • 13 implied HN points • 10 Aug 25
💼 Business Startups
  1. There's a lot of room for improvement in software companies. Many tools have big problems that smaller teams can solve quickly.
  2. Startups often succeed by fixing what's broken, not by creating entirely new ideas. There's a lot of opportunity in existing markets that need help.
  3. Software engineers are still in demand. The need for better software is high, and with new tools, small teams can make things happen fast.

Investors grade Tesla's self-driving event, and why you shouldn't compare OpenAI to Google

Alex's Personal Blog • 65 implied HN points • 11 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Startups
  1. Tesla's latest self-driving event didn't impress investors, suggesting they expected more excitement or better features. The company aims to roll out full self-driving cars soon, but many wonder if it will be enough to justify its high stock value.
  2. OpenAI is experiencing rapid growth, but comparisons with older tech giants like Google and Meta may not be fair. These companies were already profitable when they achieved significant growth, unlike OpenAI, which is still figuring out its financial footing.
  3. The success of companies like OpenAI could skew perceptions of growth in the tech sector. While OpenAI's growth is impressive, the context of its competition and market conditions is important to understand its value.

Welcoming Ali Afridi Back to Equal Ventures

Equal Ventures • 19 implied HN points • 16 Jan 24
💼 Business Startups
  1. Ali Afridi is rejoining Equal Ventures as a Principal, bringing a valuable blend of experiences in entrepreneurship and VC insights.
  2. Equal Ventures is shifting towards competitive specialization in founder support, aiming to offer comprehensive expertise to portfolio companies.
  3. The team at Equal Ventures has evolved its structure to maximize support for seed stage founders, leveraging a mix of industry leads, product owners, and experts like Ali Afridi.

Startup Profile: Happy Patina

Startup Strategies • 57 implied HN points • 08 Nov 24
💼 Business Startups
  1. Oscar Arenas started a slipper brand to continue a family tradition. His grandfather made similar slippers since 1981, showing how family history can inspire new businesses.
  2. Happy Patina focuses on products that change over time. This idea can appeal to customers who appreciate items that evolve and tell a story.
  3. Switching from an IT career to launching a product can lead to success. It shows the value of following your passion, even if it means a big change.

A survey of CTOs: how flat should your organization be?

Respectful Leadership • 54 implied HN points • 16 Nov 24
💼 Business Startups
  1. A flat organization isn't always the best setup. Some structure is needed as a company grows to help manage teams effectively.
  2. Having the right number of managers is important. Too few can lead to problems, while a good balance helps ensure teams are supported and guided properly.
  3. Leaders should focus on being leaders, not just doing tasks. Their main role is to manage and support their teams, not pull all-nighters coding.

So You Wanna Get Into "DeepTech"

The Polymerist • 232 implied HN points • 21 Mar 23
🕹 Technology Startups
  1. Pivoting is risky and can lead to failure in deep tech startups.
  2. Consider the cost of feedstock, like sugars and lipids, in deep tech production.
  3. Building commercial capacity without cashflow requires a leap of faith in your technology.

In praise of small weirdos

Sunday Letters • 139 implied HN points • 05 Jun 22
🕹 Technology Startups
  1. New tech often starts out messy and complicated, not neat and finished. Most of the time, we see these products when they are already established.
  2. It's important to look for 'small weirdos', which are early-stage ideas that not many people understand or use yet.
  3. Being aware of these small weirdos can help innovators find new opportunities and stay ahead in technology development.

Meet SubMarket, my new tool for making money from your newsletter

Startup Strategies • 42 implied HN points • 20 Jan 25
💼 Business Startups
  1. SubMarket is a new tool designed to help newsletter owners earn money. It connects newsletter writers with advertisers who want to reach their audience.
  2. The service allows users to create classified ads, making it easier for them to find relevant partnerships. This could be a big boost for those who rely on their newsletters for income.
  3. John Biggs invites anyone interested in being on his show to reach out via email. He seems open to chatting with anyone, which is a nice way to engage with the community.

Ultimate Guide: How to get started with Google Ads for early-stage B2B SaaS startups

Startup Business Tips 🚀 • 56 implied HN points • 03 Nov 24
💼 Business Startups
  1. Start using Google Ads only after you have some initial traction and a clear understanding of your target audience. It's important to ensure your audience is actually searching for a solution like yours.
  2. Setting up proper tracking and conversion events is crucial. This helps you understand what's working and allows you to optimize your campaigns effectively.
  3. Focus on high-intent keywords and use structured campaigns for better performance. Target competitor keywords, product categories, and specific use cases to attract the right customers.

Series A activity: Week of January 1, 2024

Magid and Co • 19 implied HN points • 08 Jan 24
💼 Business Startups
  1. Only 3 Series A deals were announced in the first 7 days of 2024, 93% less than last year
  2. Investors seem to be holding back, with a significant drop in deal activity despite the usual trend after Thanksgiving
  3. Uncertainty looms on whether there will be more unannounced deals or if the market is frozen in the upcoming weeks

Tokenization, or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Vault

Money in Transit • 19 implied HN points • 08 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Startups
  1. Tokenization is a powerful way to reduce costs and secure card payments by isolating parts of payment applications for PCI compliance.
  2. Tokens are non-exploitable and require a vault to store the actual data, providing security in case of a breach.
  3. Using Tokenization as a Service providers can strengthen a startup's position by avoiding vendor lock-in and enhancing pricing power.

Supply chain and integration may be the best defensible moat for robotics founders

Robots & Startups • 39 implied HN points • 07 May 23
🕹 Technology Startups
  1. Supply chain and integration are crucial for robotics founders as a defensible moat.
  2. Robots startups may benefit more from focusing on supply chain and integration than the common emphasis on AI.
  3. The book 'Chip War' by Chris Miller highlights the implications for robotics startups, such as the importance of supply chain and integration.

How we built a business out of recession - chapter 36 - ciao Italia

The ZIPster • 35 implied HN points • 28 Feb 25
💼 Business Startups
  1. CitNOW started as a small company in the UK and grew by creating easy-to-use automotive apps. They found success by being the first to offer this kind of technology in their market.
  2. They learned the importance of focusing on their target market, which was the automotive industry. They decided to stop chasing opportunities outside this sector to stay true to their core business.
  3. When expanding internationally, they took careful steps after learning from past mistakes. They aimed to enter the Italian market by leveraging their successes and established relationships with companies like Volkswagen.

🌞 the dawn of a new era!

vrk loves paper • 39 implied HN points • 28 Jun 23
🕹 Technology Startups
  1. The author has left their job to pursue personal projects, specifically creating software focused on paper crafts. They feel excited and ready for this new adventure.
  2. They redesigned their personal website to showcase their work and story, aiming to make it fun and inviting for visitors.
  3. The author is exploring new topics each month, with a focus on printing photos this month, while also being open to other creative side projects.

Strong Opinions, Weakly Held

Pivotal • 152 implied HN points • 03 Oct 23
💼 Business Startups
  1. Strong opinions, weakly held is a powerful decision-making approach under incomplete information.
  2. Commit fully to your chosen path, but be open to changing direction if needed.
  3. Maximizing rate of learning is key - move quickly with strong opinions and adjust when necessary with weakly held beliefs.

The Startup CEO Mindset

Tech Ramblings • 59 implied HN points • 09 Apr 23
💼 Business Startups
  1. The Stockdale Paradox teaches us to balance hope with reality. It's important to stay realistic about challenges while maintaining confidence in future success.
  2. Startup founders should always face the truth about their situation. Acknowledging difficulties is key to making smart decisions and moving forward.
  3. Optimism is good, but it shouldn't blind you to the hard work needed to succeed. Continuous effort and execution are essential for long-term growth.

Revisiting 2024 Predictions

next big thing • 44 implied HN points • 18 Dec 24
💼 Business Startups
  1. Venture capital is expected to pick up in 2024 as many companies seek funding to survive and grow. More startups could get funded, especially those in AI, but some may struggle to raise money.
  2. AI technology saw incredible growth in 2024, with many new applications becoming popular. Despite some challenges, AI became a huge part of tech this year.
  3. There are hopeful signs for real-world uses of crypto, as new applications are being built. With better technology and user needs, crypto could see significant adoption this year.

The Worst Outcome is a Mediocre Success

Pivotal • 154 HN points • 21 Sep 23
💼 Business Startups
  1. Startup experimentation is about learning from clear successes or failures, not mediocre results.
  2. The danger of a mediocre success is the lack of clarity on whether a strategy can be scaled or needs to be changed.
  3. It's important to design experiments with well-defined outcomes to avoid the messy middle of mediocre success.

Me On YouTube on Reviving Entrepreneurship in Japan

Japan Economy Watch • 99 implied HN points • 28 Jun 22
🌍 World Politics Startups
  1. The discussion on reviving entrepreneurship in Japan highlighted the need to broaden the definition of high-growth entrepreneurs beyond just high-tech ventures.
  2. Innovation should not be limited to high-tech areas like AI or quantum computing, but should encompass various aspects of business.
  3. Barriers to entrepreneurship in Japan are not solely cultural but also relate to issues such as funding, staffing, and access to customers.

What I'm preparing for in 2024

next big thing • 120 implied HN points • 01 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Startups
  1. 2024 might see a fundraising frenzy in the venture capital world with many companies trying to raise capital.
  2. Many late-stage companies are working on becoming IPO-ready, focusing on strong financial performance and management teams.
  3. AI will be a major focus in 2024, with advancements in AI-enabled products, but also facing challenges like lawsuits and safety concerns.

Rampersand Investment Notes: Hatch

Superfluid • 106 implied HN points • 20 Feb 24
💼 Business Startups
  1. Rampersand is backing Hatch, a company changing how the next generation finds work. Hatch uses AI to match candidates with jobs based on core values and aspirations.
  2. Hatch redefines job searching with its AI-driven platform for Gen Z professionals, saving time for both job seekers and employers.
  3. Gen Z professionals seek fulfilling roles, leading to a transformation in company cultures and employment nature. Companies like Hatch are adapting to meet the demands of this new workforce.

Welcome Odyssey Energy Solutions to the Equal Ventures Family

Equal Ventures • 59 implied HN points • 08 Sep 22
💼 Business Startups
  1. Odyssey Energy Solutions joined the Equal Ventures Family, aiming to democratize clean energy development in emerging markets.
  2. Emily McAteer, the founder of Odyssey Energy Solutions, has led the company to accumulate over $1 billion of financing and is focused on a global clean energy transition.
  3. Equal Ventures is excited to lead Odyssey's $5.3 million seed round to enhance capital markets offerings and advance procurement solutions for clean energy development in emerging markets.

Has YC hit peak AI? (F24)

Artificial Ignorance • 46 implied HN points • 05 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Startups
  1. Y Combinator's latest batch has 86% of its startups focused on AI, showing a big trend towards tech that uses artificial intelligence. This could suggest the AI field is getting crowded, with many companies working on similar ideas.
  2. Startups are increasingly using voice technology in their products, moving beyond just text. These companies are trying to make voice AI practical for tasks like customer service and training, which could open up new business opportunities.
  3. Many startups in this batch look similar to each other, raising questions about how they can stand out. Founders need to think creatively about how to differentiate their products in a market that feels a bit repetitive right now.

The Trough of Feedback

Investing 101 • 106 implied HN points • 17 Feb 24
💼 Business Startups
  1. Understanding the dynamics of healthy relationships is crucial in the world of tech and startups, especially regarding venture capitalists.
  2. Venture capitalists often become overly concerned with seeking validation and can struggle with providing valuable feedback due to various insecurities.
  3. The feedback process in venture capital, known as The Trough of Feedback, can be challenging due to the balance between honesty, long-term relationship building, and reputation management.

Nvidia makes gains on rising inference demand

Alex's Personal Blog • 32 implied HN points • 27 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Startups
  1. Nvidia's revenue is soaring due to high demand for their chips, especially for AI models. This growth is a good sign for the entire AI industry as more companies seek powerful computing solutions.
  2. Rising demand for inference, which is running AI models to handle user queries, is becoming more important than just training the models. Nvidia’s chips are designed to excel in this area, suggesting ongoing strong sales.
  3. Other companies like Snowflake are also doing well with their earnings by integrating AI into their services, while Salesforce is facing challenges despite its strong AI prospects. This shows different paths in the tech industry as they adapt to AI's growth.