The hottest Startups Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Business Topics

Announcing Biofound - Connecting Biotech Founders

ASeq Newsletter • 29 implied HN points • 02 Nov 24
💼 Business Startups
  1. A new mailing list called Biofound has been started to connect biotech founders and people who want to help. It's a place for them to meet each other and collaborate.
  2. People can post about their startups if they're looking for co-founders, advisors, or technical help. You can even do this anonymously if you prefer.
  3. Unlike a previous list focused on funding, Biofound aims to facilitate general connections, helping people network beyond just seeking investment.

Meet in Barcelona?

Startup Strategies • 85 implied HN points • 06 Sep 23
💼 Business Startups
  1. Smart City Expo 2023 will be held in Barcelona in November.
  2. Startups can participate in the Call for Startups pitching competition.
  3. Winner of the competition can receive up to 25,000 Euro in prizes.

Revisiting the Cyber 150

The Security Industry • 26 implied HN points • 28 Nov 24
💼 Business Startups
  1. The Cyber 150 lists cybersecurity companies that have grown their staff by at least 15% this year. They are actively monitored to see how many continue to thrive.
  2. Some companies from the Cyber 150 have secured substantial investments, with fifteen companies raising nearly $1 billion collectively. This shows a strong interest and confidence in cybersecurity ventures.
  3. The Cyber 150 list will be updated at the end of the year for better accuracy, as some companies have changed in size or staffing. The criteria for inclusion may also become less strict to accommodate more companies.

What if the Current Tech IPO Drought isn't a Drought but the New Normal for Venture?

Venture Reflections • 18 implied HN points • 25 Feb 25
💼 Business Startups
  1. The slowdown in tech IPOs might not be a temporary issue, but rather a shift to fewer, larger IPOs that happen less frequently. This could change how we view the IPO landscape.
  2. Many companies are now able to raise enough money privately, so they don't feel the need to go public. This reduces the urgency for IPOs as a source of liquidity.
  3. As companies wait longer to go public, secondary sales could become the main way smaller investors get returns. This change means that the investment landscape might focus more on private equity than on public markets.

Why Most Founders Don't Raise Enough Money

Superfluid • 92 implied HN points • 19 Jul 23
💼 Business Startups
  1. Most founders don't raise enough money and end up needing additional funding to stay afloat
  2. Understanding the right amount to raise is crucial and should align with what you're building and your goals
  3. When raising a pre-seed/seed round, focus on finding Product-Market Fit, managing resources wisely, and being cautious with hiring
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Divide and Conquer: Mastering the Art of Spin-Outs

Five Links (and three graphs) by Auren Hoffman • 97 implied HN points • 21 Jun 23
💼 Business Startups
  1. Spinning out companies can help ideas thrive by focusing on core business and raising additional funds.
  2. Different types of spin-outs include Incubation, Product, Division, and Acquisition spins, each serving a unique purpose.
  3. Success stories like SafeGraph's spin-outs show how effective team leadership is crucial for the new company's success.

Embrace your ignorance

Russell’s Index • 8 implied HN points • 08 Jul 25
💼 Business Startups
  1. Talking to customers is key for product engineers. It helps you understand their problems and create better products.
  2. Admitting what you don't know can actually improve your customer interviews. It encourages them to explain things more clearly.
  3. Asking for specific examples and repeating back what customers say helps clarify understanding and reveals valuable insights.

The Sequence Chat #475: Ed Sim, Forbes Top Tech Investor, on AI Investing, Security, Agents and More

TheSequence • 21 implied HN points • 23 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Startups
  1. Investing early in AI involves backing technical founders before they even start their company. It's about helping them develop their ideas and getting them the right support as they launch.
  2. Building a startup in the AI space should always begin with creating a great product, no matter how much money you have. It's important to focus on getting user feedback and refining your offering rather than spending excessively.
  3. AI security is becoming crucial as tech evolves. Companies need to be proactive in protecting against AI-driven cyber threats, and there are opportunities for startups to innovate in this space by securing AI implementations in various industries.

Building Codiga: Getting Started

Tech Ramblings • 19 implied HN points • 12 Aug 23
💼 Business Startups
  1. Starting your own business is all about execution. It's better to act and make mistakes than to wait and do nothing. Learning from these mistakes quickly is key to moving forward.
  2. Having a clear plan is crucial. Just like you wouldn’t go hiking without a map, you shouldn’t start a business without a plan. This helps you track progress and adjust when needed.
  3. Keep your personal and business lives separate. Set up a dedicated business email and bank account. This will make things easier when it comes to taxes and managing your operations.

Welcoming Liz Hart to Equal Ventures!

Equal Ventures • 59 implied HN points • 25 Jan 22
💼 Business Startups
  1. Bringing talented individuals together is crucial for a company's success. Each new hire is an opportunity to further strengthen the company's goals.
  2. Liz Hart, joining Equal Ventures, brings a diverse background in areas like private equity, entrepreneurship, and climate justice. Her valuable skills and passion make her a great addition to the team.
  3. Liz Hart's role at Equal Ventures will involve utilizing her research skills across multiple sectors such as climate, retail, supply chain, insurance, and care economies. She is expected to contribute significantly to the NYC venture community.

AI Gold Rush Begins

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 19 implied HN points • 15 Jun 23
🕹 Technology Startups
  1. There's a huge amount of money being invested in new AI startups, like Mistral AI, which raised $113 million right after starting. This shows how eager investors are for opportunities in AI.
  2. New funding records are being set often, with other startups like Anthropic and Cohere also raising significant amounts. This trend highlights the growing interest and belief in AI's potential.
  3. Founders feel they can pivot their businesses quickly towards AI to attract funding. It seems there's a path to raise large amounts of money with just a small starting investment.

Regrouping Startup Strategies

Startup Strategies • 57 implied HN points • 20 Feb 24
💼 Business Startups
  1. The author aims to highlight cool startups that may not get enough recognition due to funding issues.
  2. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has significantly impacted the startup funding landscape, leading to job losses.
  3. The author offers opportunities for startups to get featured, pitch coaching, and content agency services.

Considerations for AI-Native Startups

Tanay’s Newsletter • 113 implied HN points • 07 Mar 23
🕹 Technology Startups
  1. Add AI value on top of large language models through prompt engineering and fine-tuning.
  2. Incorporate private/customer data into the model context to improve outcomes.
  3. Anticipate that incumbents in your industry will integrate basic generative AI features and strategize to offer more.

The "Three-Hills" Model for evaluating GPT startups

Assisted Everything • 110 HN points • 27 Mar 23
🕹 Technology Startups
  1. GPT-powered startups need to overcome 3 obstacles for long-term success: Productivity Enhancements, Non zero-sum-game Value, and Moat = Value from Context.
  2. Applications of GPT fall into 3 levels of success: Productivity Hill, Tug-of-War Valley, and Value Peak.
  3. To succeed, GPT companies must reach Level III by building a moat that generic GPT-applications can't compete on.

The Time-Boxed Startup

Working Theorys • 56 implied HN points • 28 Feb 24
💼 Business Startups
  1. Consider time-boxing your startup by setting an end date to focus and make progress efficiently.
  2. Most successful startups reach product-market fit within about 2 years and need sufficient runway for experimentation.
  3. Decide what progress markers would prompt you to continue beyond the set end date, combining founder drive with product-market momentum.

Compromised Cap Tables Create Consequences

Superfluid • 92 implied HN points • 21 Jun 23
💼 Business Startups
  1. Protect your equity like it's your life to avoid detrimental impacts later on.
  2. Seek to limit the amount of equity given up and maximize the valuation of your company.
  3. Understand the incentives of different investors on your cap table to make informed decisions.

Escape the Silicon Valley Filter Bubble

Software Snack Bites • 21 implied HN points • 29 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Startups
  1. Being in Silicon Valley is great for startups, but it can lead to many people copying each other instead of creating unique ideas. Founders need to ensure their products stand out to succeed.
  2. Investors often overlook competition, thinking certain companies are failing too soon. Recognizing how companies like Google and Adobe adapt can reveal their true potential.
  3. When there’s too much hype around a topic, it's wise to step back and think critically. Finding opportunities in less popular trends can lead to smart investments.

Your Way

Venture Prose • 199 implied HN points • 14 Jan 20
💼 Business Startups
  1. Successful companies often build on the strongest aspects of their industry and work backwards. This approach can lead to innovative solutions that address user needs in unique ways.
  2. When evaluating a team for investment, consider their vision (people), timing (time to market), and long-term commitment (built to last). These factors are crucial for sustainable success.
  3. Companies can excel by focusing on building innovative products, strong infrastructure, and effective distribution strategies. It's essential to adapt and evolve these elements while keeping clarity of vision.

41 Years in UX: A Career Retrospective

Jakob Nielsen on UX • 60 implied HN points • 17 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Startups
  1. Jakob Nielsen has had a long career in UX since 1983, with a consistent mission of making computers user-friendly.
  2. He transitioned from academia to real-world UX work, influenced by his experiences with different computers and usability.
  3. Key achievements include pioneering discount usability, writing a popular book on web usability, and raising public awareness about UX.

How we built a business out of recession - chapter 24 - a series of unfortunate events

The ZIPster • 26 implied HN points • 08 Nov 24
💼 Business Startups
  1. Starting a business can be tough, especially when facing constant challenges. It's important to stay focused and adapt to changing situations as they arise.
  2. Making mistakes is part of the learning process in business. Recognizing and addressing them helps avoid repeating the same errors.
  3. Building good relationships with banks and financial partners is crucial for success. Gaining their trust can help secure the necessary funding to grow the business.

A Note to Founders as We Head into 2023: Become the Leader Your Team Needs

Equal Ventures • 19 implied HN points • 06 Jan 23
💼 Business Startups
  1. Great companies require great leaders, who are developed through feedback and support from those around them.
  2. In 2023, founders need to focus on fundamentals like unit economics, maintain a steady hand amid market turbulence, and have patience for the long-term success of their companies.
  3. Founders should be decisive on talent, transparent about challenges, and ensure their own needs are met to be effective leaders for their teams.

"Show Me the Money": Founders, Loyalty, and the New Rules of the AI Gold Rush

The New Internet by Jeff Morris Jr. • 7 implied HN points • 22 Jul 25
💼 Business Startups
  1. There's a big shift in loyalty among tech employees in Silicon Valley. More people are jumping from one job to another, chasing better pay and opportunities instead of sticking with one company.
  2. Founders are often the first to leave for bigger paydays, which can hurt trust with their teams. When founders prioritize their own benefits, it makes employees question their loyalty.
  3. To fix this issue, the industry needs better rules that protect employees and promote fairness. Without real change, the teamwork and shared success that used to define startups might disappear.

Remembering GitHub's office

Monomythical • 93 implied HN points • 28 May 23
🎭️ Culture Startups
  1. GitHub's office closure reflects changes in hybrid and remote work environments.
  2. Startup offices in San Francisco were once cultural gathering places.
  3. GitHub aimed for its office to be better than working from home.

Where Returns Lie in Venture Capital

East Wind • 29 implied HN points • 17 Sep 24
💼 Business Startups
  1. Venture capital involves finding, evaluating, and supporting startups, but picking the right ones is often overlooked. This 'picking' can greatly affect the overall returns.
  2. Investing in non-consensus startups, or those that most investors avoid, can yield high rewards, but it requires confidence and willingness to take risks.
  3. Markets that are growing fast, or those with less competition like certain consumer sectors, could be good places to find unique investment opportunities. However, these come with their own risks.

Brand vs Build

Net Interest • 9 implied HN points • 06 Jun 25
💼 Business Startups
  1. JPMorgan's Chase app used traditional advertising instead of trendy methods, showing off its benefits like 1% cashback to attract customers.
  2. Despite initial success with a large number of customers and deposits, acquiring new customers is getting more expensive for Chase compared to smaller banks like Monzo.
  3. JPMorgan views its UK expansion as a long-term plan, using this venture as a model for potential growth in other markets if it proves successful.

30-60-90 For TPMs

Building Rome(s) • 19 implied HN points • 07 Jan 25
💼 Business Startups
  1. When starting in a big tech company, your first month should focus on understanding the company's structure and people. It's important to learn the processes and key players to effectively navigate your new role.
  2. At startups, you need to adapt quickly, often ramping up in just a few weeks. Jump in and start contributing right away, as limited resources mean you’ll likely wear many hats.
  3. Building relationships is key in any new role. Prioritize meeting with colleagues and stakeholders to enhance collaboration and gather insights that will help you succeed.

Alumis: Race to a Best-In-Class TYK2 Inhibitor

Axial • 22 implied HN points • 28 Nov 24
💼 Business Startups
  1. Investors are focused on early-stage life sciences companies with strong potential. They look for companies that are often just ideas at first.
  2. The goal is to support inventors who are passionate about creating lasting companies. There’s a strong emphasis on innovation and dedication.
  3. The race is on to develop a leading TYK2 inhibitor, highlighting competition in the biopharmaceutical field. This specific drug target is gaining interest for its potential benefits.

The MKT1 Field Guide to B2B Startup Marketing

MKT1 Newsletter • 6 implied HN points • 31 Jul 25
💼 Business Startups
  1. Having a specific marketing strategy helps avoid random activities that don't contribute to goals. Focus on what works for your startup and stick to it.
  2. Your marketing efforts should combine 'fuel' (the content and messages you create) with an 'engine' (the channels and processes you use). Keep both balanced for better results.
  3. Building a strong marketing team involves hiring versatile members who can contribute to multiple areas. This approach helps create a more effective and adaptable marketing strategy.

Financing the AI Boom

Net Interest • 17 implied HN points • 31 Jan 25
💼 Business Startups
  1. The demand for data centers is skyrocketing due to growth in AI and cloud services. Companies and investors are putting big money into building these facilities to meet future needs.
  2. Major tech companies like Meta and Microsoft are planning to invest heavily in AI infrastructure this year. This indicates that there's a big race to develop the necessary resources for AI technology.
  3. Recent developments suggest that new AI models can be produced with less infrastructure than before. This raises questions about the future profitability of data center companies, as they might not be as essential to AI advancements.

How we built a business out of recession - chapter 33 - corporations are not for me

The ZIPster • 17 implied HN points • 07 Feb 25
💼 Business Startups
  1. Starting a business can be tough, especially after facing failure. It's essential to learn and keep going, even when times are hard.
  2. CitNOW grew from a small team to a successful company that was recognized in the market. Hard work and determination can pay off.
  3. Working in a corporate environment can feel limited, and many find more fulfillment in creating and running their own businesses. It's about finding your own way.

Tech-Financial-VC Bubbles

Turnaround • 158 implied HN points • 04 Apr 20
💰 Finance Startups
  1. Financial bubbles follow a pattern of phases - starting with intense innovation funding, moving into financial speculation, and finally reaching maturity before a possible burst.
  2. Technology and financial bubbles can be compared to the Greek myth of Sisyphus, where we continually build and push bubbles until they burst, repeating the cycle.
  3. The current tech bubble seems concentrated within private and venture capital, driven by factors like low interest rates, leading to bigger deal sizes and a shift from IPOs to unicorn aspirations.

AnaptysBio: An Immunology Pipeline-In-A-Pill

Axial • 22 implied HN points • 23 Nov 24
💼 Business Startups
  1. AnaptysBio is focused on developing innovative immunology treatments that can be taken as a pill, making them easier to use.
  2. The company collaborates with early-stage life sciences firms, showing a commitment to supporting new ideas and innovations in the field.
  3. They aim to help dedicated inventors create lasting solutions in healthcare, which could potentially improve patient outcomes.

Seven Powers in Life Sciences

Axial • 7 implied HN points • 06 Jul 25
💼 Business Startups
  1. Axial helps new inventors in life sciences by investing in their early ideas. They look for unique founders who are determined to create lasting solutions.
  2. They collaborate with different companies, like Appia Bio and Seranova Bio, to turn ideas into reality. It's about supporting innovations that can change lives.
  3. The goal is to empower inventors to build strong and enduring companies within the life sciences industry. They focus on potential and passion for development.

Drugs that are their own pipelines

Axial • 7 implied HN points • 06 Jul 25
💼 Business Startups
  1. Investors are focusing on early-stage life science companies that may start with just an idea. This can help bring innovative health solutions to life.
  2. The partnership between investors and inventors is key. It aims to support those who have a strong desire to build something impactful.
  3. These companies often create their own development pathways, which means they can turn their ideas into reality without needing external support.

Founder-led life sciences companies

Axial • 7 implied HN points • 06 Jul 25
💼 Business Startups
  1. Founders who are passionate and innovative can create great life sciences companies. Support for these founders can lead to exciting new ideas in healthcare.
  2. Investing early in life sciences companies can make a big difference. Companies like Appia Bio and Seranova Bio show the potential of starting with just an idea.
  3. Helping unique inventors is important, as they often create lasting businesses that can change the industry. Their strong drive to build is key to their success.

Funding models in life sciences

Axial • 7 implied HN points • 06 Jul 25
💼 Business Startups
  1. Funding support is crucial for early-stage life sciences companies. It's important to back inventors with strong ideas.
  2. Investors like to partner with passionate founders. They focus on helping inventors turn their ideas into reality.
  3. The right funding model can make a big difference. It helps companies grow from just an idea to a successful business.

Value investing in life sciences

Axial • 7 implied HN points • 06 Jul 25
💼 Business Startups
  1. Investing in early-stage life sciences companies can lead to exciting opportunities. These companies often start with just an idea and have the potential to grow into something great.
  2. Partnering with skilled founders and inventors is crucial for success. Their passion and creativity are key drivers in building successful companies.
  3. Value investing is about helping inventors create lasting impacts in their fields. Supporting these innovators can lead to both financial returns and significant advancements in life sciences.

The Superinvestors of Life Sciences

Axial • 7 implied HN points • 06 Jul 25
💼 Business Startups
  1. Axial invests in early-stage companies in life sciences, helping inventors turn their ideas into reality.
  2. They focus on partnering with unique founders who are passionate about creating lasting impact.
  3. The goal is to support rare inventors in building successful and enduring companies.