The hottest Startups Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Business Topics

Is usage-based pricing overrated? These 3 YC founders agree (and so do we)

CommandBlogue • 0 implied HN points • 14 Aug 24
💼 Business Startups
  1. Many startup founders find usage-based pricing complicated and unpredictable. They believe subscription models are easier for customers because they know ahead of time what they'll pay.
  2. Pricing should focus on providing clear value to customers. For example, some companies base their fees on the time saved or the productivity gains their services offer.
  3. When it comes to pricing, a simple model can reduce friction in the buying process. Customers often prefer clear, straightforward pricing over models that require them to estimate their usage.

$10m ARR in 2.5 years - How Beehiiv wins with an email tool in 2024

CommandBlogue • 0 implied HN points • 14 Aug 24
💼 Business Startups
  1. Beehiiv has grown quickly, reaching $10 million in annual recurring revenue in just 2.5 years by focusing on email newsletters. It offers tools that make it easier for writers to manage their content and reach audiences.
  2. Unlike Substack, which aims to create a social media destination for readers, Beehiiv focuses on providing growth tools and features for creators. This strategy targets writers who want more control and options over their newsletters.
  3. Beehiiv is also building an ad network, which could be a major opportunity. By connecting advertisers with a wide range of newsletters, it simplifies the ad process for both writers and businesses, potentially leading to significant revenue.

How Deel became the fastest-growing startup in history

CommandBlogue • 0 implied HN points • 14 Aug 24
💼 Business Startups
  1. Deel became super successful by solving real problems that people faced when hiring internationally. They made it easier for companies to handle complex employment laws and payroll in different countries.
  2. Timing was key for Deel. They launched just as more companies were looking to hire globally, especially during the pandemic when remote work became popular.
  3. Good customer support helped Deel grow a lot. The founders engaged directly with customers to gather feedback, which created a loyal user base and worked as effective marketing.

We found PMF. Here were the signs.

CommandBlogue • 0 implied HN points • 28 May 24
💼 Business Startups
  1. Product-market fit (PMF) isn’t a one-time achievement; it’s a gradual process that evolves over time. You need to keep measuring and adjusting as you grow.
  2. To know if you’ve found PMF, ask your users how disappointed they would be if your product disappeared. A high percentage of disappointment indicates strong PMF.
  3. Focus on making a few customers love your product instead of trying to reach a big audience early on. Understanding your ideal customer and their pain points is key.

Product Hunt launch 🚀

André Casal's Substack • 0 implied HN points • 27 Aug 24
🕹 Technology Startups
  1. The founder is actively promoting their product, LaunchFast, across different online communities.
  2. They are reaching out to friends and asking for support to improve their launch status.
  3. The founder is open to suggestions on how to better reach developers who might be interested in their product.
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Spreading the word 🔊

André Casal's Substack • 0 implied HN points • 16 Aug 24
💼 Business Startups
  1. Marketing takes a lot of effort and attention to detail. It's important to keep working on it and getting feedback to improve.
  2. Getting feedback from others can help a lot. Regular reviews can lead to better results, like with logo and landing page improvements.
  3. It's essential to focus on creating a delightful experience for users. Listening to feedback and making small improvements can make a big difference.

Preparing Product Hunt launch 🚀

André Casal's Substack • 0 implied HN points • 14 Aug 24
💼 Business Startups
  1. Using senja.io is a great way to gather and manage testimonials for your product easily and for free. This tool helps you showcase positive feedback directly on your website.
  2. Creating a pre-launch page on Product Hunt is important. Make sure it has good content, images, and engage with the community to build interest before the launch.
  3. It's helpful to read and create a list of strategies for gaining your first users. Focusing on content creation, outreach, and helping others can set you up for success.

Getting ready for live customers

André Casal's Substack • 0 implied HN points • 11 Aug 24
💼 Business Startups
  1. You can automate inviting users to a GitHub private repository by using an organization account instead of a private account. This helps make the process smoother.
  2. The new payment flow is set up where users can easily make a purchase through Stripe and then get guided through the onboarding process afterwards.
  3. Noticing that potential users were hesitant due to the personal name in the company ID showed the importance of clear branding in building trust with customers.

Customer interviews and Gen AI

André Casal's Substack • 0 implied HN points • 08 Aug 24
💼 Business Startups
  1. The initial experience for users launching their apps needs improvement. Adding explanations about what happens during the launch and providing examples could help users better understand the process.
  2. Watching new users interact with a product can reveal valuable insights. It's important to make the user experience as clear as possible, even if people tend to skip the instructions.
  3. Learning about Generative AI can enhance product offerings. Using better prompts and custom AI models can help tailor outputs for specific user needs.

Welcome to Tech Thoughts—Brace for Impact!

Tech Thoughts • 0 implied HN points • 07 Sep 24
🕹 Technology Startups
  1. The tech world is full of noise and hype, and there's a need for straight talk about what's really happening. It’s time to cut through the fluff.
  2. Expect strong opinions and simple explanations about tech trends, startups, and more. It's about being honest, not sugar-coating things.
  3. This platform is a space for discussion and debate. Everyone's welcome to share their thoughts, even if they disagree.

Dissecting the developer strategies of 3 leading AI startups

Router by Dmitry Pimenov • 0 implied HN points • 16 Mar 23
🕹 Technology Startups
  1. Diffusion models are making waves in generative AI, allowing for creative image manipulation by removing noise from images. This technology has opened doors for tools that can create high-quality images from simple text prompts.
  2. Large Language Models like ChatGPT are changing the way we interact with technology. They utilize vast amounts of text data to provide smart and coherent answers to complex questions, sparking a competitive race among tech giants to develop their own AI solutions.
  3. Having a solid API strategy is crucial for AI startups. Companies like OpenAI, Hugging Face, and Speechly show that understanding user needs and creating easy-to-use interfaces can lead to success in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.

One avoidable mistake for SaaS sales

Router by Dmitry Pimenov • 0 implied HN points • 02 Mar 23
💼 Business Startups
  1. Many startups struggle to gain traction because organizations prefer software that works well with their existing tools. Selling a standalone solution is often not enough.
  2. Bundled software solutions, like GSuite and Microsoft 365, attract users because they offer convenience and integration, even if some products aren't the best in their category.
  3. Startups can improve their chances by using Web APIs to connect with larger platforms or by creating their own APIs. This helps them integrate into existing workflows and keeps users engaged.

How to Launch a Startup if You are Half a Million Dollars in Debt

VERY GOOD PRODUCTIZED GUIDES • 0 implied HN points • 20 Jun 24
💼 Business Startups
  1. To succeed in launching a startup, it's important to understand what your potential customers want. Focus on solving their problems instead of just trying to sell something.
  2. Set clear goals for your business and plan your route to reach them. Even if your vision is fuzzy at first, taking steps toward your destination is crucial.
  3. Start by offering your services to friends for free. This helps you gain experience and build credibility, making it easier to sell to others later.

7 Steps To Starting Any Service-Based Business Correctly

VERY GOOD PRODUCTIZED GUIDES • 0 implied HN points • 17 Jun 24
💼 Business Startups
  1. Start by figuring out what problem you can solve for others. Understand what people need and how you can help them with your skills.
  2. Freelancing is a good first step. It lets you tailor your services to different clients while building trust and gaining experience.
  3. Once you know what to offer, structure your services, and create systems to manage tasks. This helps you run your business more smoothly and gives you more freedom.

Sam Altman is a CROOK

Top Carbon Chauvinist • 0 implied HN points • 13 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Startups
  1. Sam Altman is raising a huge amount of money, $7 trillion, which seems unreasonable because it costs much less to source hardware from existing suppliers.
  2. There are concerns about how Altman plans to use the money, especially since he isn't starting projects from scratch but relying on others for technology and manufacturing.
  3. Many believe Altman is more focused on making money for himself rather than addressing serious questions about the future of AI and technology development.

Building CAUSL - Episode 12: The Future of CAUSL

CAUSL Effect • 0 implied HN points • 30 Aug 23
💼 Business Startups
  1. A merger with LeanConvert means a big change for CAUSL. The consulting side will stop, but the focus will shift to analytics and experimentation.
  2. The journey isn't over; it's just changing direction. The goal was always to get to this new role, and it feels like a new beginning.
  3. There will still be updates through the Building CAUSL newsletter. The author plans to share the development of a free analytics toolkit for everyone.

Money is irrelevant

Tech Ramblings • 0 implied HN points • 13 Jul 24
💼 Business Startups
  1. Money alone doesn't make a great product; it's the skill and dedication of the team that matters most.
  2. Many founders mistakenly believe that if they build a product, customers will automatically come. This often isn't true.
  3. Changing user habits is hard, so a product needs to offer real value to attract and keep customers.

Building Codiga: Being a solo founder

Tech Ramblings • 0 implied HN points • 08 Oct 23
💼 Business Startups
  1. It's often better to go solo when starting a business. Having a co-founder can complicate things unless you really know and trust them.
  2. Choosing the right people for your company is crucial. Bad hires can hurt your team and product, so it's better to avoid hiring them in the first place.
  3. If you do have a co-founder, make sure roles are clear and ownership isn’t split evenly. Having a clear plan for what happens if things go wrong can save a lot of trouble later.

Investor Updates

Tech Ramblings • 0 implied HN points • 23 Jul 23
💼 Business Startups
  1. Founders should send monthly updates to their investors. This keeps everyone informed about the company's real status and progress.
  2. In updates, focus on important numbers and data that affect the company's success. Personal stories or events that don't lead to growth aren't needed.
  3. Ask your investors for help when you need it. They have valuable connections and can assist in solving problems you face.

Yes, your AI startup sucks

Tech Ramblings • 0 implied HN points • 02 Apr 23
🕹 Technology Startups
  1. Many new AI startups are just using existing technology instead of creating something original. This makes them look alike and lack unique features.
  2. There aren’t enough skilled engineers in AI, so many startups end up with mediocre products that hurt user experience instead of helping.
  3. Building a successful AI company takes time and effort. Simply adding a few AI features cannot replace the need for hard work and innovation.

Your job as a CEO: do not run out of money

Tech Ramblings • 0 implied HN points • 19 Mar 23
💼 Business Startups
  1. As a CEO, your top job is to make sure the company never runs out of money. This is crucial for keeping everything afloat.
  2. When you raise money, always add an extra cushion to your target amount. This will help you cover unexpected costs while building your product.
  3. Keep a close eye on your finances. Know your cash flow, how much you're spending, and how long you can operate before needing more funding.

GroupBy #22: Data Engineering Landscape in 2024, how I scaled my $1m/year revenue startup's data model

VuTrinh. • 0 implied HN points • 13 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Startups
  1. The data engineering field is evolving, and it's important to understand the upcoming trends that will impact how we work with data.
  2. Creating a simple and efficient data model is key for startups, but as they grow, it's crucial to adapt and scale the data model to meet new demands.
  3. Learning SQL remains essential, as it is still a fundamental tool in data manipulation, making it important for anyone in the data field to master.

The Small Choices You Make: Founders Dealing with Failure

Design is Love • 0 implied HN points • 12 Apr 23
💼 Business Startups
  1. Small choices in life matter a lot. Even simple daily decisions can lead to big impacts over time.
  2. Failing is just part of the process. It’s important to see every outcome as a lesson, helping you separate your worth from your business results.
  3. Make sure your actions reflect your values. Aligning your choices with what you believe helps keep you on track and focused.

Welcome to the It Depends / Nimble Autonomy newsletter

It Depends / Nimble Autonomy • 0 implied HN points • 02 Jan 24
💼 Business Startups
  1. Taking time for personal strategy is important. Setting a day aside to think and plan can help you focus on your goals without distractions.
  2. Reflect on your past experiences and what you’ve learned to create effective plans. This means considering what worked well and what didn’t in your team and work before and during any big changes.
  3. Building a regular practice of strategic thinking helps you stay adaptable. It’s good to revisit your plans regularly and adjust them based on new insights or changes in your situation.

#6 Cost

Mountain Labs Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 17 Jul 24
💼 Business Startups
  1. It's important to understand costs in hardware projects because high expenses can limit your ability to compete and grow. Knowing what you're spending will help you make smart business choices.
  2. When buying components, consider quality. Check if the documentation is good, if it meets your needs, and if the support is reliable. Quality can save you money in the long run.
  3. Create a budget for all parts of your product, including manufacturing, marketing, and payroll. This helps you know how much you can spend and what price you need to sell at to make a profit.

#5 Testing sensors, expanding network

Mountain Labs Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 13 Jun 24
💼 Business Startups
  1. The team is focused on preparing their product for pre-orders and looking for investments for mass production. They are excited about the growth of their startup.
  2. They have launched a YouTube podcast channel to connect with more people and share updates about their work. The third episode is already out, and they encourage subscriptions.
  3. There is a lot of competition in the air quality monitor market, but they are testing various sensors to find the best combination to offer at a good price. They are also eager to hear from customers about what features they value in these devices.

HN blogs - 23/10/24

HackerNews blogs newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 23 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Startups
  1. Some blogs discuss creative tech like a mirror that turns reflections into paintings, which is a cool mix of art and technology.
  2. There's a focus on important issues like security in healthcare startups and challenges in open source projects during events like Hacktoberfest.
  3. Certain blogs share personal journeys, such as experiences in offshoring business or lessons from maintaining mapping projects, highlighting growth and learning.

What's the deal with Delaware?

The Founder Memo • 0 implied HN points • 24 May 24
💼 Business Startups
  1. Starting a business means deciding whether you'll bootstrap or pursue venture capital. If you want to raise VC funds, it's often best to start as a Delaware corporation.
  2. Delaware is popular for startups not because of tax benefits, but due to its strong legal system and established corporate laws. This creates more certainty and less risk for businesses.
  3. You can start your company in another state and later convert to a Delaware corporation if needed. However, this can be time-consuming and costly, so it's often easier to start in Delaware if you plan on seeking investors.

No IP assignment? No investment.

The Founder Memo • 0 implied HN points • 11 Apr 24
💼 Business Startups
  1. Intellectual property (IP) is super important for startups. If a startup doesn’t own its IP, it can be a big red flag for investors.
  2. Getting IP assignments signed is crucial from day one. It's better to have this done early to avoid problems when raising money later.
  3. There are different types of IP, like trademarks and patents. They protect different aspects of a business, so knowing what kinds you have is important.

Dead equity makes your company uninvestable

The Founder Memo • 0 implied HN points • 29 Feb 24
💼 Business Startups
  1. Vesting schedules are crucial for co-founders to avoid problems with 'dead equity.' If a co-founder leaves, they shouldn't keep their shares unless they earned them over time.
  2. Equity is limited, unlike cash, so if someone has a large share without contributing, it can hurt company morale and deter investors. They want to see all founders actively working.
  3. If dead equity happens, fixing it can be difficult and costly. It's better to prevent these issues from the start with clear agreements on equity and vesting.

Miss This Report, and Your Company Can Be "Canceled"

The Founder Memo • 0 implied HN points • 15 Feb 24
💼 Business Startups
  1. Always file your Delaware Annual Franchise Tax report by March 1. If you miss it twice, your company can be canceled.
  2. Don't panic if you see a high tax amount on the Delaware website. Use the correct method to potentially lower it significantly.
  3. If you have many authorized shares, you might face high taxes. Consider your issued shares and gross assets for a better tax calculation.

Killing Product Management

honest product. • 0 implied HN points • 06 Mar 24
💼 Business Startups
  1. Product management is often confused with project management, but they serve different purposes. Product managers should focus on strategy, while project managers handle execution.
  2. Many companies are pushing product managers into more tactical roles due to pressures from investors and founders. This shift can weaken the strategic insights that product managers provide.
  3. There's hope for the future of product management, with companies like Airbnb recognizing the importance of storytelling in the role. This approach can help ensure that decisions are aligned with business goals and customer needs.

Inside Pony.AI's self-driving IPO

Alex's Personal Blog • 0 implied HN points • 21 Oct 24
💼 Business Startups
  1. Pony.AI is getting ready for an IPO and has self-driving permits in major cities in China. This is a big deal as it shows they are ahead in the autonomous vehicle game.
  2. The company makes money from three main areas: robotaxi fares, robotruck services for logistics, and software licensing. They have a solid business model with multiple revenue streams.
  3. Despite the excitement, Pony.AI will face challenges since it operates under a complex corporate structure and risks in the international market. Investors need to be aware of these factors.

How I Calculate Profit

Kartick’s Blog • 0 implied HN points • 03 Nov 24
💼 Business Startups
  1. Income is only counted when it's actually in the bank, not just when it's invoiced. This helps reduce the risk of relying on money that might not come in.
  2. Expenses are recognized in full when they occur, even if they are spread out over time. This practice makes it easier to see the real financial impact right away.
  3. It's smart to overestimate taxes and expenses while understating income. This cautious approach helps in planning for potential financial shortfalls.

How mining giant Rio Tinto and Founders Factory selected their 2024 cohort

The Green Techpreneur • 0 implied HN points • 18 Oct 24
💼 Business Startups
  1. Rio Tinto is investing in climate tech by partnering with Founders Factory to support early-stage startups focused on making mining greener and safer.
  2. The mining industry faces big challenges in cutting emissions while increasing mineral production, especially in remote locations where energy use is high.
  3. Startups in the program are using innovative technologies, like AI and biology, to recover metals and improve mining processes, aiming for a more sustainable future.

#17 The Fresh Outlook: Articles and insights for founders and teams

Meliora by Ana Stoica • 0 implied HN points • 29 Oct 24
💼 Business Startups
  1. The 'Founder Exit Series' is a new resource designed to help entrepreneurs navigate the challenges of exiting their businesses. It offers practical advice based on real experiences.
  2. Each month, a new article in the series will cover different aspects of the exit journey. This can help founders make better decisions about their future.
  3. In addition to the series, there are opportunities for founders and teams to explore further insights and articles that can drive growth in their ventures.

AI is taking non-existent jobs.

How Software "Sells Itself" • 0 implied HN points • 20 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Startups
  1. AI is replacing jobs that were never really viable to begin with. For instance, transcription work was done by so few people that it hardly counted as a job.
  2. Many existing uses of AI target obvious jobs, but there's a hidden opportunity in 'non-job jobs.' These are tasks people thought of hiring for, but didn't because it wasn’t worth the cost.
  3. Exploring small problems that AI can solve might lead to new business ideas. These jobs are less obvious and were previously overlooked, like organizing junk drawers or managing minor coordination tasks.

🎧 🧱 Sid Sridhar | Finding PMF in Africa

Tippets by Taps • 0 implied HN points • 07 Nov 24
💼 Business Startups
  1. Building fintech products in Africa can be challenging but rewarding. It's important to understand the unique operating environment in emerging markets.
  2. Finding product-market fit is crucial for startups, and it can come with various operational hurdles. Learning from those challenges can drive growth.
  3. Transitioning from a large company to a startup requires a different mindset. It's useful to know how startup operations differ between developed and emerging markets.

To Go Broad, Go Deep

Digital Native • 0 implied HN points • 23 Oct 24
💼 Business Startups
  1. To truly make a wide impact, you first need to understand your area deeply. This is about getting to the roots of a problem before trying to solve it on a larger scale.
  2. Founders should keep engaging with their customers as they grow. Staying connected with the people they serve helps them keep important insights and improve their offerings.
  3. Personal experiences can lead to great business ideas. If founders draw from their own knowledge and insights, they often find unique solutions that resonate with others.