The hottest Startups Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Four Things: What Do These People Know That We Don't?

State of the Future ā€¢ 29 implied HN points ā€¢ 27 Feb 26
šŸ•¹ Technology Startups
  1. AI builders expect rapid, widespread disruption of whiteā€‘collar work, so societies will need to adapt fast to avoid big economic and employment shocks.
  2. The next big gains will come from orchestration, not just bigger chips or models ā€” combining diverse hardware and specialised components will be a key competitive edge.
  3. Models and models' outputs are now attackable and competitive assets, so security and new architectures (many small agents checking each other) are becoming essential to reduce errors and theft.

How You Can Eliminate Your Competition

VERY GOOD PRODUCTIZED GUIDES ā€¢ 159 implied HN points ā€¢ 02 Sep 24
šŸ’¼ Business Startups
  1. You don't have to be the first in the market. Being different is more important. Focus on filling gaps in what others offer instead.
  2. Understand what your customers truly want. They often seek value and connection, not just the service itself. Learn their needs to attract more clients.
  3. Instead of only cutting costs, focus on providing great value to your customers. Sometimes spending more can actually improve your service and satisfy customers better.

Newsletters we read to stay smarter than the competition

CommandBlogue ā€¢ 139 implied HN points ā€¢ 04 Sep 24
šŸ’¼ Business Startups
  1. Staying updated with newsletters is super important for personal and professional growth. They help you learn quickly and efficiently in a fast-changing world.
  2. Some recommended newsletters focus on tech, product growth, and honest startup experiences. They provide unique insights and practical advice that can really help new teams and startups.
  3. Reading newsletters can keep you motivated and optimistic about the tech industry. Itā€™s a great way to stay informed and inspired by successful stories and strategies.

February 24: come have lunch with us

Respectful Leadership ā€¢ 54 implied HN points ā€¢ 21 Feb 26
šŸ’¼ Business Startups
  1. A lunchtime event on February 24 in NYC will bring people together to discuss how AI is changing business, with abundant healthy food and pizza provided.
  2. Speakers will share practical AI use cases like automating residential building permits and warn about legal pitfalls, including the risk of losing attorney-client privilege when using AI tools.
  3. Talks will also cover startup and agency strategy ā€” who to hire early (X-shaped people), how to integrate outside agencies, and new go-to-market opportunities driven by AI.

Why solo-founders quit

Tiny Empires ā€¢ 147 implied HN points ā€¢ 06 Feb 26
šŸ’¼ Business Startups
  1. Don't try to do everything. Pick one product or service, focus until it runs without constant babysitting, and say no to distracting ideas.
  2. Stop comparing yourself to other founders' highlight reels. Track your own numbers and measure progress against your past performance, not someone else's posts.
  3. Charge properly and build for sustainability. Serve fewer, better-paying customers, keep simple routines for bad weeks, and have outside support so you don't burn out or quit.
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A prediction market for shortform content

Taylor Lorenz's Newsletter ā€¢ 955 implied HN points ā€¢ 09 Dec 25
šŸ•¹ Technology Startups
  1. Social media users often leave informal predictions on short-form videos, like betting a clip will reach a certain number of likes or views.
  2. Two college students built Spike, an app that turns those predictions into a formal prediction market where people can bet on whether TikToks will hit specific milestones.
  3. Spike was created at a Harvard hackathon and specifically targets short-form platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels by letting users wager on likes and view-count milestones.

RL and The Era of Experience

Tanayā€™s Newsletter ā€¢ 138 implied HN points ā€¢ 10 Feb 26
šŸ•¹ Technology Startups
  1. AI is shifting from learning from static human data to learning from experience, with models improving by taking actions in environments, receiving feedback, and scaling reinforcement learning.
  2. A new RL ecosystem is emerging with companies that build environments, provide RL infrastructure, and offer RL-as-a-service, enabling labs and apps (like coding tools) to train and improve agents.
  3. Important open questions remain about how well RL-trained models generalize, whether RL scaling alone is enough, and the need for continual learning plus many more realistic evaluations and environments.

The Sequence Radar #799: The Week AI Leveled Up: From Chatbots to World Builders

TheSequence ā€¢ 273 implied HN points ā€¢ 01 Feb 26
šŸ•¹ Technology Startups
  1. AI is shifting from passive chatbots to active agents and simulated worlds, with models now able to orchestrate many sub-agents in parallel and create interactive, physics-aware environments users can explore.
  2. Frontier reasoning is becoming a global standard as models expose step-by-step ā€œthinkingā€ modes and stronger multimodal/speech capabilities, letting systems spend more compute at test time to produce better, more reliable answers.
  3. Big platform plays and huge capital rounds are reshaping the field: companies are building integrated AI workspaces and chasing massive investments that could concentrate compute and user data with a few dominant players.

Cybersecurity predictions for 2026

Frankly Speaking ā€¢ 406 implied HN points ā€¢ 06 Jan 26
šŸ•¹ Technology Startups
  1. Security tools will become AI-powered appliances so you no longer need dedicated "tool babysitters"; companies will favor security generalists who use tools to get outcomes, not specialists who just operate platforms.
  2. Tech budgets are shrinking as firms pour money into AI, so security must focus on must-have controls, cut costly seat-based licenses, and lean on AI agents to handle many vulnerability and remediation tasks.
  3. Security talent and leadership will decentralize into small, highly technical teams where leaders write code and build guardrails, while startups and vendors shift toward acquisitions, AI-native UX, and product-led growth.

Modern Meditations: Immad Akhund

The Generalist ā€¢ 740 implied HN points ā€¢ 18 Dec 25
šŸ’¼ Business Startups
  1. Constant learning is the core skillā€”learn new domains, talk to experts, and treat excellence as the result of daily grinding and perseverance.
  2. Constraints are valuable: more resources donā€™t always speed things up, and growing headcount too fast can reduce productivity, so prefer measured, sustainable scaling.
  3. Be optimistic about long-term progress while thinking bigā€”study history to understand patterns and imagine bold projects like space habitats and new immersive tech.

2026 Scheming

Erik Torenberg's Thoughts ā€¢ 442 implied HN points ā€¢ 02 Jan 26
šŸ’¼ Business Startups
  1. Working inside a large venture firm to productize venture work, hire broadly, and launch ambitious projects like a new fellowship, a rolling dinner series, and a podcast used to explore ideas.
  2. Committed to building and funding community programs ā€” reviving Turpentine, supporting the Art of Accomplishment retreat, backing matchmaking as a business, and bringing back relationship-focused podcasts and group chats.
  3. Prioritizing personal health and life: getting more serious about sleep and wellness, playing in a recreational basketball league and planning events, and sharing favorite books, movies, and TV while asking for more recommendations.

Will there ever be a worse time to start a startup?

benn.substack ā€¢ 741 implied HN points ā€¢ 05 Dec 25
šŸ’¼ Business Startups
  1. Starting a startup today is exciting because technology is advancing quickly, and tools are becoming easier to use for everyone. This means you can create amazing projects even with minimal experience.
  2. Deflation might seem good because prices drop, but it actually encourages people to save money instead of spending it. This cycle can hurt the economy and make it hard for businesses to grow.
  3. If you're starting a business, remember that technology is always improving. Todayā€™s tools could let you do things much faster and cheaper than before, making now a great time to jump in.

Are VCs investing in media companies again?

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter ā€¢ 349 implied HN points ā€¢ 09 Jan 26
šŸ’¼ Business Startups
  1. VCs are still funding media startups, but high valuations for adā€‘dependent outlets are hard to justify because ad models rarely scale the way investors expect.
  2. Google stumbled early in chatbots but leveraged its massive reach and deep pockets to catch up and regain an edge over OpenAI.
  3. Spotify is paying creators more than YouTube for video podcasts in some markets and is aggressively competing on video, though CPM claims can be misleading about total revenue.

Things are changing round here šŸš€

Boiling The Ocean ā€¢ 19 implied HN points ā€¢ 21 Oct 24
šŸ’¼ Business Startups
  1. BTO is getting a fresh start with a new look and content focus. This is exciting because it means there will be better and more relevant information.
  2. They are launching a new platform called Cheddar, which makes applying for consulting jobs much easier. It's like having all job listings in one place.
  3. The relaunch will focus on key topics like industry news, AI tools, and job opportunities, and will be sent out every month. This change aims to keep everyone updated and informed.

ā‚¬1 Billion VC Fund in SpainšŸ’ø, 10 Books for Founders, by FoundersšŸ“š, The Power of NichešŸŽÆ

The VC Corner ā€¢ 579 implied HN points ā€¢ 14 Jul 24
šŸ’¼ Business Startups
  1. A new ā‚¬1 billion venture capital fund has been launched in Spain to support startups. This fund aims to boost innovation and growth in the entrepreneurial landscape.
  2. There is a list of 10 books specifically for founders, written by those who have experience in building companies. These books can provide valuable insights and guidance for anyone looking to start their own business.
  3. Focusing on a niche market can be very powerful for businesses. It allows companies to stand out and cater specifically to the needs of a certain group of customers.

The Only Pitch Guyde Youā€™ll Ever Need

Remarkable People ā€¢ 699 implied HN points ā€¢ 03 Jul 24
šŸ’¼ Business Startups
  1. Choose the right audience for your pitch. It's crucial to identify the right venture capital firms and specific people to contact for better chances of success.
  2. Get a warm introduction instead of cold emailing. Knowing someone who can introduce you increases the chances of getting a meeting.
  3. Practice your pitch and engage your audience. Start strong, tell a compelling story, and be confident in your delivery to leave a lasting impression.

From Numbers to Narrative: Financial Modeling for Founders šŸ“Š

The VC Corner ā€¢ 579 implied HN points ā€¢ 12 Jul 24
šŸ’¼ Business Startups
  1. Financial modeling is all about telling your startup's story using numbers. It's important for getting investments and managing your business well.
  2. A solid financial model includes three main statements: the Income Statement, Balance Sheet, and Cash Flow Statement. These help you understand your revenue, costs, and financial position.
  3. Building a financial model starts by defining your assumptions. This helps you predict future performance and make informed decisions for your startup.

ā€œBuild Whatā€™s Fundableā€

Investing 101 ā€¢ 950 implied HN points ā€¢ 16 Nov 25
šŸ’¼ Business Startups
  1. Y Combinator has shifted from focusing on meaningful problems to following what many investors think is trendy. This change can lead to less original thinking and more pressure to fit in.
  2. Startups are becoming more uniform and normal, as many founders come from similar backgrounds and experiences. This can limit creativity and make it harder to think independently.
  3. To change this trend, people need to chase their beliefs and find projects that truly matter, rather than just following what is popular or easy. This will encourage more unique ideas in tech.

AI BubblešŸ“‰, Canva acquires Leonardo AIšŸŽØ, How to Write Cold Emailsāœ‰ļø

The VC Corner ā€¢ 279 implied HN points ā€¢ 11 Aug 24
šŸ’¼ Business Startups
  1. There seems to be an AI bubble, which means the excitement and investment in AI may be too high right now. It's important to be cautious and not assume growth will continue at the same rate.
  2. Canva has bought Leonardo AI, showing how big companies are integrating AI tools into their platforms to enhance creativity and productivity. This could lead to more user-friendly design solutions.
  3. Writing effective cold emails is crucial for reaching out to new contacts and building relationships. Itā€™s all about being clear, concise, and personal in your approach.

This company wants to fix the broken economics of standup comedy

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter ā€¢ 174 implied HN points ā€¢ 28 Jan 26
šŸ’¼ Business Startups
  1. Comedians can get huge viral reach but still struggle to make money because algorithms throttle who actually sees their posts and it's hard to notify local fans when a comic is touring.
  2. Punchup is building tools so comedians can own their audiences, sell tickets directly, and rely less on platform algorithms to monetize shows.
  3. The founders' experience running ads and data products at Meta, plus a longtime passion for comedy, shaped Punchup's mission to repair the fragile economics of standup.

The Incompetent Confidence Complex

Investing 101 ā€¢ 106 implied HN points ā€¢ 07 Feb 26
šŸ’¼ Business Startups
  1. People shape their own realities through the stories they tell, so what someone believes often determines what they accept as true.
  2. Real competence is earned through repeated iteration, learning, and honest feedback ā€” practice moves you past overconfidence to genuine skill.
  3. Society too often rewards confidence over competence, which produces harmful outcomes, so prioritize building and valuing real ability.

An outbound playbook for 2025

Kyle Poyarā€™s Growth Unhinged ā€¢ 883 implied HN points ā€¢ 03 Dec 25
šŸ’¼ Business Startups
  1. In 2025, successful outbound sales will focus on a mix of cold calls, email campaigns, LinkedIn engagement, and personalized outreach for key accounts. This shows that a balanced approach between automation and manual efforts is essential.
  2. Identifying and targeting ideal customer profiles (ICPs) is crucial. Businesses should develop a scoring model to define their targets and filter their outreach accordingly, ensuring focused efforts yield better results.
  3. Using signals, like website visits and LinkedIn engagement, can enhance outreach effectiveness. These signals allow businesses to connect with prospects who are already interested, leading to higher response rates and engagement.

Data-Driven Equity SplittingšŸ“Š, The Path to PMF, Figma's $12.5 Bn ValuationšŸŽØ

The VC Corner ā€¢ 379 implied HN points ā€¢ 28 Jul 24
šŸ’¼ Business Startups
  1. Fundraising activity peaks between Labor Day and Christmas, so startups should prepare now to attract investors.
  2. Data-driven approaches can help startups split equity more fairly, making it easier to attract and keep talent.
  3. Figma's impressive $12.5 billion valuation shows the potential for growth in the tech industry, which should inspire other startups.

Announcing the 2026 Cyber 150

The Security Industry ā€¢ 18 implied HN points ā€¢ 09 Mar 26
šŸ•¹ Technology Startups
  1. The Cyber 150 uses LinkedIn headcount growth tracked in the ITā€‘Harvest Dashboard to identify the top 150 fastestā€‘growing midsize cybersecurity companies (50ā€“500 employees), and the winners are published in a shared spreadsheet.
  2. AI security topped the list by category, with many winners offering agentic or AIā€‘powered solutionsā€”MDR, autonomous pentesting, AI SOC analysts, DSPM, and behavioral risk toolsā€”signaling a clear shift toward AIā€‘first defenses.
  3. Several winners drew major funding or were acquired and eight grew past the 500ā€‘employee cutoff, and the dataset is positioned as a practical prospecting tool for vendors, recruiters, and event organizers (RSA exhibitors are flagged).

OpenAI Clocks $3.4B in Revenue šŸ¤–, NATO Innovation FundšŸ’ø, Future of WorkšŸŒ

The VC Corner ā€¢ 419 implied HN points ā€¢ 21 Jul 24
šŸ’¼ Business Startups
  1. OpenAI has generated a revenue of $3.4 billion, showing significant growth and impact in the tech industry.
  2. B2B influence marketing is becoming popular and is reported to give a high return on investment, with some companies seeing an average ROI of 6.5 times.
  3. The NATO Innovation Fund is a key player in supporting advancements and innovations in various sectors, emphasizing the importance of technology in global strategy.

Flow State #5 - What kind of future are we headed towards?

Superfluid ā€¢ 53 implied HN points ā€¢ 17 Feb 26
šŸ’¼ Business Startups
  1. We're living in a split reality where many people chase futuristic endgames while others cling to the past, and both trends make teams overpromise outcomes instead of handling the messy middle of execution.
  2. The U.S. risks a 'Japanification' pattern of stagnant growth: more convenience services, rising social isolation, and increased worker pressure as automation and AI push speed and productivity.
  3. AI market shocks show that vertical AI only survives if it can handle the last-mile complexityā€”real-world liability, regulation, and exceptionsā€”and companies must either uplevel leaders or replace them to meet those hard operational demands.

How startups beat incumbentsāš”ļø, Bootstrapped vs. VC-Backed StartupšŸ¤”, Thinking about founder dilutionšŸ‘Øā€šŸ’¼

The VC Corner ā€¢ 599 implied HN points ā€¢ 30 Jun 24
šŸ’¼ Business Startups
  1. Startups can succeed against big businesses by leveraging innovation and agility. They often adapt faster to market changes than larger companies.
  2. There are two main types of startups: bootstrapped, which rely on their own funds, and VC-backed, which get money from investors. Each has its own advantages and challenges.
  3. Founders need to think carefully about dilution, which is when they give away part of their company to investors. This can affect their control and ownership in the long run.

The Ultimate Positioning Guide (+ Worksheet)

Startup Business Tips šŸš€ ā€¢ 25 implied HN points ā€¢ 01 Mar 26
šŸ’¼ Business Startups
  1. Make a clear positioning bet now instead of waiting for perfect data; deciding what you are, who itā€™s for, and who you compete with creates the data you need to test and improve.
  2. Follow the 3-step framework: pick a primary anchor (Activity, Use Case, Product Category, or Competitive Alternative), add one or two differentiators, then combine them into a single positioning statement. This structure makes messaging, targeting, and comparisons much easier.
  3. Choose the right level of specificity so youā€™re not too vague or too niche, and pick only real, defensible differentiators. Use a decision tree and worksheet to map your ICP, use case, alternatives, and to create clear internal and external positioning statements.

Many Small Steps for Robots, One Giant Leap for Mankind

Not Boring by Packy McCormick ā€¢ 226 implied HN points ā€¢ 16 Jan 26
šŸ•¹ Technology Startups
  1. Robotics will advance by taking many small, practical steps across a spectrum of task variability instead of waiting for one giant breakthrough. Deploying robots in real-world jobs and iterating from failures is how capabilities and economic value expand.
  2. The key bottleneck is high-quality, robot-specific dataā€”especially intervention data captured on the actual hardware in real environments. Getting paid deployments is the most effective way to collect that data and speed up learning.
  3. Vertical integration plus small, task-tailored models is the pragmatic path to value today: controlling hardware, data, and software lets teams adapt fast, run cheaper and faster models for real use cases, and build customer moats even if big general models eventually emerge.

Revisiting Clarity of Thought

Investing 101 ā€¢ 119 implied HN points ā€¢ 31 Jan 26
šŸ’¼ Business Startups
  1. Clarity of thought is the single most important trait for founders because it shows deep understanding and makes everything elseā€”hiring, sales, and fundraisingā€”work better.
  2. Clear thinking means starting from explicit assumptions, defining terms, and building a simple framework so ideas hang together and can be easily explained to any listener.
  3. Communicate the core idea quickly and distinctly, back it with evidence and a long-term narrative, and focus on the deliberate path you must take rather than a laundry list of possibilities.

Javier Evelyn on Building in the Midwest

Midwest Humble ā€¢ 55 implied HN points ā€¢ 26 Feb 26
šŸ’¼ Business Startups
  1. Alerje started from lived experience and successfully built, patented, and sold a connected epinephrine device to a strategic partner, then shifted to software that gives real-time allergy data to doctors to improve care.
  2. Michiganā€™s startup scene offers lower costs and a supportive, tightly connected community where introductions and mentorship are common, and new funds plus large medtech employers are starting to unlock more local capital.
  3. Medtech hardware is tough because of regulatory and fundraising challenges, but those obstacles can build defensibility. Staying focused, leaning on mentors and faith, and lifting others while you grow are key to long-term success.

16 Lessons on Selling (and Life) from My 5-Year-Old

Not Boring by Packy McCormick ā€¢ 211 implied HN points ā€¢ 18 Jan 26
šŸ’¼ Business Startups
  1. Start selling early and learn by doing ā€” every no is useful feedback, so write down what you hear and iterate on the product.
  2. Know who the buyer really is and price to match them ā€” the kids wanted the toy but the parents had the money, so meet the payer where they are and be willing to adjust price.
  3. Small, practical details matter: pick the right time and place, use social proof, have cash/payment options, be friendly, and sometimes a kidā€™s pitch works better than an adultā€™s.

Growth Of a Startup

Points And Figures ā€¢ 612 implied HN points ā€¢ 10 Dec 25
šŸ’¼ Business Startups
  1. Early-stage investing is as much about people as ideas. Backing founders early can pay off even if the initial product or market fails.
  2. The founders adapted after COVID destroyed their original ride-share insurance business, pivoted successfully, and raised follow-on VC. They also built a high-quality team and grew as leaders.
  3. Seel has scaled into major partnerships with big insurers and is hiring aggressively. They are addressing a massive market and look positioned for significant growth.

Money, Drama, and China: Why AIā€™s Next Step Could Be Messy

Big Technology ā€¢ 6880 implied HN points ā€¢ 24 Jan 25
šŸ•¹ Technology Startups
  1. A new AI model called DeepSeek is cheaper and efficient, potentially making big investments in AI technology seem unnecessary. This raises questions about how much companies should really spend on AI.
  2. DeepSeek's success is surprising since it was developed in China, challenging the notion that good tech only comes from big investments in the West. Its ability to compete shows that smaller companies can innovate effectively.
  3. This development might shift the AI landscape significantly. Big players like OpenAI may need to rethink their approaches to stay competitive, especially now that cheaper models are proving their worth.

This Is a Good Year to Build Something Small

Tiny Empires ā€¢ 159 implied HN points ā€¢ 23 Jan 26
šŸ’¼ Business Startups
  1. AI has made building products much cheaper and faster, so attention ā€” not development cost ā€” is the scarce resource, making clarity and specificity more valuable than big ambitions.
  2. Small, narrowly scoped products convert and reach viability faster because theyā€™re easier to explain, fit into communities, and donā€™t require massive scale to matter.
  3. Solo founders and tiny teams win early by iterating quickly and avoiding communication overhead, which reduces burnout and makes small, focused businesses more resilient and profitable.

This Is Pretty Cool If You Are In A Lot of Meetings

Points And Figures ā€¢ 186 implied HN points ā€¢ 28 Jan 26
šŸ•¹ Technology Startups
  1. Failure is part of building something ā€” smart entrepreneurs pivot, reuse what they built, and turn failed efforts into new successes.
  2. The founder of Riskalyze is launching a new company to solve problems found there, and the new tool is billed as revolutionary for people who spend a lot of time in meetings.
  3. Be skeptical about AI but donā€™t automatically reject it ā€” adopting and adapting the right AI tools can make us more effective at work.

The 10 Essential Slides You Need in Your Pitch Deck šŸ“

The VC Corner ā€¢ 559 implied HN points ā€¢ 28 Jun 24
šŸ’¼ Business Startups
  1. Every startup needs a strong pitch deck to impress investors. It's not just about showing what you've done, but telling a compelling story about what you can achieve.
  2. Following a clear structure for your pitch deck helps you address investors' concerns. You need to present your vision and strengths in a way that resonates.
  3. These ten essential slides can make your pitch memorable. They help highlight your potential and build a narrative that investors can connect with.

March 26: Fashion and Tech, united in Beauty

Respectful Leadership ā€¢ 54 implied HN points ā€¢ 14 Feb 26
šŸŖž Fashion & Beauty Startups
  1. A curated mixer on March 26 in NoMad will bring fashion and beauty tech leaders together to collaborate and explore whatā€™s next in the industry.
  2. The event is exclusive with limited venue capacity and a hand-selected guest list of founders, creators, strategists, advisors, investors, and builders for high-value networking.
  3. Tickets include a complimentary drink and bites, and hosts point to a Luma signup and newsletter for registration and updates.

Where have the heretics gone?

The Generalist ā€¢ 780 implied HN points ā€¢ 20 Nov 25
šŸ’¼ Business Startups
  1. To find unique ideas, it's not just about going against the crowd. You need different life experiences, a fresh perspective, and the bravery to act on those insights.
  2. Many new AI companies use the technology just for show instead of solving real problems. The most promising founders are the ones applying AI to long-standing challenges.
  3. Every new tech creates fresh opportunities. As AI changes the landscape, it's important to spot what new problems it brings and who is ready to tackle those challenges.