The hottest Venture Capital Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Business Topics

Venture Capital Fund Modelling: Masterclass

Venture Curator • 159 implied HN points • 14 May 23
💰 Finance Venture Capital
  1. When calculating the average check size for startups in a venture capital fund, it's important to consider operating expenses and fees charged by the VC fund.
  2. Venture capital funds divide their funding into initial investments and follow-on investments based on the fund size and agreements with limited partners.
  3. The average check size for a VC fund is determined by subtracting management fees, dividing the remaining fund size, and deciding on the initial and follow-on investment amounts.

It wasn’t Vice’s business model that sank it

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 449 implied HN points • 28 Feb 24
💼 Business Venture Capital
  1. High overhead costs and failure to control expenses can lead to the downfall of media companies, not just their business models.
  2. Diversifying revenue streams beyond advertising can be beneficial for media companies to sustain themselves.
  3. Establishing reasonable burn rates and controlling expenses are crucial for the long-term success of media companies.

Understand Convertible Note Investment Option: The Valuation Game-Changer!

Venture Curator • 159 implied HN points • 10 May 23
💰 Finance Venture Capital
  1. Convertible notes can be a helpful option for startups looking to secure funding without immediate valuation, allowing time to build the company's value.
  2. Convertible notes are ideal for early-stage companies, especially those with a proven product and solid concept, helping them raise funds and scale effectively.
  3. From an investor's perspective, convertible notes offer a riskier but potentially more rewarding opportunity to secure equity at a discounted rate or via a valuation cap.

Long on shovels, short on gold

benn.substack • 434 implied HN points • 08 Mar 24
💼 Business Venture Capital
  1. In the tech world, many companies are heavily investing in AI, with billions of dollars being raised for AI startups and established companies shifting focus towards AI.
  2. Liquidation preferences in startup funding can lead to conflicts of interest between investors and founders, affecting decisions around company sale and financial outcomes.
  3. Despite the hype around AI, success stories of companies profiting from AI technology are not yet as abundant, raising questions about the actual impact and returns of AI investments.
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💎 Lab-grown diamonds, +$10M in funding opportunities, fundraising in 2024, BHM and more

Lolita's Newsletter • 58 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
💼 Business Venture Capital
  1. Lab-grown diamonds are trending, attracting over $10M in funding opportunities.
  2. In startup investment, there's a shift towards valuing business durability over growth obsession, with a focus on sectors like AI and defense.
  3. Founders have access to various funding opportunities ranging from grants for underrepresented groups to equity crowdfunding up to $5 million.

Lesser-Known High-Paying Roles in Venture Capital

Venture Curator • 159 implied HN points • 06 May 23
💼 Business Venture Capital
  1. Venture Capital has high-paying roles beyond just investment positions, like Community Managers responsible for networking and supporting founders.
  2. Roles like Investor Relations are essential in VC for managing communications with fund investors and attracting new ones.
  3. Talent + Hiring roles play a crucial part in VC by helping portfolio companies find suitable talent for key positions.

kitten corner: frozen assets

bad cattitude • 150 implied HN points • 20 Jan 25
💼 Business Venture Capital
  1. Being an angel investor means you're thinking about supporting new businesses. It's important to do your research before deciding.
  2. Pitching to you shows that startups are looking for funding and believe in their idea. This can be an exciting opportunity if you choose wisely.
  3. Always ask questions and get advice from experienced investors. They'll help you understand the risks and rewards involved.

Ex-Riot developers are making “Breath of the Wild with friends”

Updater, Shannon Liao's gaming newsletter • 117 implied HN points • 09 Mar 23
🕹 Technology Venture Capital
  1. Former Riot developers are creating an open-world game similar to 'Breath of the Wild' with a focus on playing with friends
  2. The game studio secured $55 million in funding and aims to create a world characterized by optimism and worth fighting for
  3. The developers emphasize creating a rich player experience and aspire to build a media universe around the game, including an animated TV show

Oh god, the VCs have discovered Christianity

Alex's Personal Blog • 164 implied HN points • 31 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Venture Capital
  1. Some venture capitalists are backing a project called New Founding that seeks to create a Christian community in Kentucky. They aim to build businesses that align with their values while opposing what they see as leftist censorship.
  2. The idea of merging Christianity with business is met with skepticism, as many feel it won't lead to a more open society. The author reflects on their own experiences with conservative Christians and predicts these efforts will not promote true freedom of expression.
  3. Recent social progress, like women's rights and LGBTQ+ rights, is valued, and the author emphasizes the importance of continuing to uphold these advancements instead of reverting to past restrictive views.

Venture Capital Fund Modelling III: Masterclass

Venture Curator • 139 implied HN points • 18 May 23
💼 Business Venture Capital
  1. Venture capital fund lifecycle involves raising capital from LPs over 2-2.5 years, making investments during the commitment period, and shifting to follow-on investments afterward.
  2. VC funds go through a cycle of raising capital for Fund I, investing during the commitment period, then raising funds for Fund II to sustain investment activities.
  3. GPs play a crucial role in fundraising, investment decision-making, and supporting portfolio startups to ensure the success and growth of the VC fund.

Decoding Term Sheets for Founders and Investors in Simple Terms

Venture Curator • 139 implied HN points • 08 May 23
💼 Business Venture Capital
  1. Term sheets are important for founders and investors as they outline the terms of the deal and can impact the future success of a business.
  2. Understanding the economic aspects of term sheets, like valuation, investment amount, and liquidation preference, is crucial for negotiating deals with venture capitalists.
  3. Key terms in term sheets include equity, option pool, liquidation preference, anti-dilution, and founders should carefully consider these terms when making decisions.

Competitive Specialization in Founder Support

Equal Ventures • 79 implied HN points • 05 Dec 23
💼 Business Venture Capital
  1. Venture firms often lack competitive specialization, unlike private equity which frequently employs this strategy to allow various team members with complementary specialties to work together on deals.
  2. Competitive specialization within firms, like having dedicated industry leads, can empower teams to perform at their best, focus on their strengths, and deliver exceptional value to founders.
  3. Empowering team members to specialize in their unique skill sets and roles can lead to innovative approaches, better outcomes in deals, and overall team growth and satisfaction.

The VC Corner 📰 #2

The VC Corner • 79 implied HN points • 01 Dec 23
💼 Business Venture Capital
  1. The VC Corner is a newsletter that shares news and resources for people involved in startups and venture capital. It's helpful for both new and experienced investors.
  2. The newsletter is written by Ruben Dominguez Ibar, who also works on an investment team at Mundi Ventures. He aims to provide valuable insights through his writing.
  3. Readers can sign up for a free trial to access more content and get a deeper understanding of venture capital topics.

The More Boring, The More Exciting !

Venture Prose • 199 implied HN points • 05 Nov 22
💼 Business Venture Capital
  1. Opportunities may be hidden in industries that seem boring or overlooked.
  2. Venture capital investors are attracted to companies with unique vision and strong customer satisfaction.
  3. Startups can succeed by offering better customer care and higher organic growth, even when competing against large incumbents.

Learning From the French Revolution In Startups

Japan Economy Watch • 179 implied HN points • 02 Feb 23
💼 Business Venture Capital
  1. Using tax incentives to direct investments towards startup companies can have positive effects on entrepreneurship drive.
  2. Professional management of angel funds can help reduce risks for retail investors interested in startups.
  3. Models like France's tax incentive plan have successfully supported the growth of startups and innovation in a country.

The VC Corner #1

The VC Corner • 79 implied HN points • 24 Nov 23
💼 Business Venture Capital
  1. European tech startups are experiencing a lot of downrounds, which are when companies' valuations decrease. This is the highest level of such downrounds since 2014.
  2. The VC Corner provides important news and analysis for both seasoned investors and those new to venture capital. It aims to help readers stay informed about the latest trends and updates.
  3. The newsletter offers a 7-day free trial, allowing people to explore its archives and get a sense of the content before subscribing. This is a great way to see if the information is useful for you.

3 hard truths from Nigeria's top VCs

Afridigest • 43 implied HN points • 03 Aug 25
💼 Business Venture Capital
  1. Understanding local markets is key for startup success in Africa. Knowing what customers want can make or break a business.
  2. Access to funding is often a challenge for startups. Many businesses struggle to find investors willing to take risks.
  3. Building a strong team is essential. A good team can adapt to challenges and drive the company forward.

🙌🏽 Community spotlight: hottest AI startups & tools, funds that lead pre-seed rounds, term sheet guide, VC trends, Barbie and more

Lolita's Newsletter • 98 implied HN points • 02 Jul 23
💼 Business Venture Capital
  1. Monthly newsletter for underestimated founders, funders, and friends with curated insights and resources
  2. Importance of leaning on community for personal and professional success, highlighted with examples like Beyoncé and Barbie
  3. Announcements of funds raised by various ventures and empowerment initiatives for underrepresented founders

The Three Types of Money Behind Silicon Valley's Rise to Dominance

The Future, Now and Then • 110 implied HN points • 25 Feb 25
💰 Finance Venture Capital
  1. Silicon Valley's success relies on three types of money: government contracts, product revenues, and speculative investments. Each plays a different role in funding and shaping tech companies.
  2. Many tech stocks are driven by 'vibes' rather than actual profits. This means their value can fluctuate wildly based on investor sentiment instead of real financial performance.
  3. When speculative finance overshadows the real production of goods and services, it can lead to an unstable economy. Companies need a balance of funding sources to grow healthily and sustainably.

The Unholy Trinity of Venture Capital

Investing 101 • 161 implied HN points • 16 Nov 24
💼 Business Venture Capital
  1. Venture capital is changing a lot because of three main players: agglomerators, allocators, and absorbers. These groups shape what venture capital looks like today.
  2. Agglomerators raise huge amounts of money and focus on making profits from fees. They often manage many investments at once and aim to control more resources.
  3. Large funds often attract institutional investors looking for steady returns, but this can lead to competition for fewer investment opportunities, making it tough for smaller funds to succeed.

Building Mighty Small Businesses

Investing 101 • 110 implied HN points • 15 Feb 25
💼 Business Venture Capital
  1. The American Dream means having the freedom to live as you wish, owning a home, getting an education, and starting a business. Many people still seek these goals, especially the chance to run their own business.
  2. Venture capital often pushes founders to aim for very large, unrealistic goals, which can lead to many startups failing. Most entrepreneurs should focus on building small, sustainable businesses instead.
  3. It's easier to start a small business today than ever before due to new tools and platforms. Don't feel pressured to chase after massive funding; instead, choose a path that fits your goals and lifestyle.

Under The Hood Of Kima Ventures

Venture Prose • 1058 implied HN points • 03 Jul 20
💼 Business Venture Capital
  1. Kima Ventures, led by Xavier Niel, focuses on investing in French tech founders worldwide.
  2. Their investment strategy involves making $150k investments in 100 new startups annually, with a particular focus on French tech founders.
  3. Kima Ventures aims to stay with companies for the long haul, providing support through their portfolio management platform and maintaining steady returns.

When venture incentives and founder needs diverge

Alex's Personal Blog • 164 implied HN points • 20 Nov 24
💼 Business Venture Capital
  1. Venture capitalists can make money off their 2% fees without needing successful company exits. This creates a situation where they might prioritize raising more funds over helping founders succeed.
  2. Large venture funds may overpay for investments to quickly deploy capital, which can lead to problems for founders who might be offered too much money at high valuations.
  3. There's a debate about how much authors should be paid for their work being used in AI training. Some authors feel $2,500 per book isn't enough compensation for potentially being replaced by technology.

The Inception of Acheel.com

Venture Prose • 419 implied HN points • 05 Jan 22
💼 Business Venture Capital
  1. Acheel.com achieved over €10M in annual revenue in just 6 months with an 86 NPS, utilizing a unique strategy.
  2. Forming strong, genuine relationships with founders is crucial for investors to make a true impact.
  3. Despite initial challenges and doubts, Acheel.com has thrived, demonstrating the importance of perseverance and vision.

Phoenix Rounds

Equal Ventures • 59 implied HN points • 03 Jan 24
💼 Business Venture Capital
  1. Phoenix Rounds refer to unique investment opportunities where struggling companies pivot drastically to build something new and stronger with investor support.
  2. These rounds offer a chance for investors to deeply engage with founders, understand their potential, and collaborate on innovative business plans.
  3. Investing in Phoenix Rounds requires vision, patience, and the willingness to see hidden potential in companies facing significant challenges.

It's Logical

Points And Figures • 346 implied HN points • 29 Feb 24
💼 Business Venture Capital
  1. The main reason for business failure often boils down to individuals not being able to achieve product-market fit.
  2. Businesses that may seem logical on the surface can actually struggle to succeed in the startup world.
  3. Investing in startups involves understanding that success may not always follow a straightforward, logical path, and accepting the inherent risks involved in the process.