The hottest Venture Capital Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Business Topics

Fantastic Builders and Where to Find Them, 2nd Installment

Building the Builders • 12 implied HN points • 28 Oct 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Startups Leadership Innovation Venture Capital
  1. Esther Crawford made bold choices in her career, like using her own savings to fund her startup. She felt confident doing this because she knew she could always find another job if it didn't work out.
  2. Her honesty with investors about tough decisions helped build trust and support. This showed that being truthful can strengthen relationships in business.
  3. Esther's journey highlights the importance of following your own path and interests rather than just fitting into societal expectations. Her choices were driven by personal goals and values.

Why Blackrock invested into FTX[Finance Fridays]

Technology Made Simple • 39 implied HN points • 10 Dec 22
💼 Business Investing Venture Capital Technology Startups Entrepreneurship
  1. Smart money investors may not always thoroughly understand the businesses they invest in, sometimes basing decisions on trends or buzzwords rather than solid research.
  2. Investors like Blackrock may invest in numerous startups, making it feasible for them to overlook losses in some investments if one startup gives a significantly high return.
  3. Investors can get caught up in hype and euphoria, leading them to invest in companies that may not be sound businesses, with the main goal often being a profitable exit rather than the success of the business.

Attempting to untangle the messy math behind the "Power Law"

Entry Level Investing • 84 implied HN points • 28 Feb 23
💰 Finance Investing Venture Capital Startup Financing Valuation Business Models
  1. The concept of the 'Power Law' in venture funding states that a few successful investments drive fund returns, not a normal distribution.
  2. Startup valuations are often based on revenue multiples, deviating from traditional valuation methods like free cash flow analysis.
  3. Overvaluation, excessive spending, and failure to grow into valuations can lead to down rounds, hurting startups and investors.

Why I am starting a hardcore tech company in my 50s

I Am Not a Robot • 55 HN points • 26 Jul 23
💼 Business Technology Startups Entrepreneurship Venture Capital Consulting
  1. Started a tech company in 50s due to interest in AI and experience in information retrieval and coding.
  2. Focused on building stable and reliable AI systems, despite current trend of fast-paced development fueled by VC money.
  3. Plans to start as a service provider in AI to build resilient systems and eventually create a product, prioritizing problem-solving and teamwork over money.
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Asking the Right Questions

Equal Ventures • 138 implied HN points • 29 Jun 21
💼 Business Venture Capital Decision-making
  1. In the world of venture capital, it's essential to differentiate between 'information gathering' and 'conviction building.'
  2. Conviction building involves asking the right questions that focus on the core aspects that truly matter for investment.
  3. Efficiency in the investment process is key; asking the right questions saves time and streamlines decision-making.

A Crowdsourced List of Books and Resources for New Venture Capitalists

Venture Reflections • 27 implied HN points • 26 Jan 24
💼 Business Venture Capital Books Podcasts Organizations Leadership
  1. A crowdsourced list of books and resources for new venture capitalists was shared.
  2. The resources are categorized based on different aspects like VC business, technology innovation ecosystems, cautionary tales, finance, and more.
  3. The list includes various formats of resources like books, blog posts, podcasts, newsletters, and organizations for new VCs to explore.

James Wise: Why We Need More Entrepreneurs

Danielle Newnham • 19 implied HN points • 23 Nov 23
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Investing Venture Capital Technology Health tech
  1. James Wise emphasizes the importance of having more entrepreneurs for the greater good.
  2. Balderton Capital, where James is a Partner, focuses on investing in European startups and has a strong track record.
  3. James Wise prioritizes investing in artificial intelligence, sustainability, health tech, and supports founder wellbeing in entrepreneurship.

Entrepreneurship in the World of Investing

Equal Ventures • 39 implied HN points • 06 Oct 22
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Investing Venture Capital Startups Event Planning
  1. Persistence and determination are crucial in pursuing your entrepreneurial dreams, even in the face of rejection and doubts.
  2. Collaborating with like-minded peers and building a supportive community can be instrumental in navigating challenges and achieving success.
  3. Innovation and originality are essential in the venture capital industry, and emerging managers play a fundamental role in driving necessary evolution.

VC Recipe

Venture Prose • 199 implied HN points • 13 Oct 20
💼 Business Venture Capital Startup funding Investing Entrepreneurship
  1. Success in cooking and venture capital requires time, experience, and the ability to adapt.
  2. Venture capital involves dealing with chaos and uncertainty, but principles and a long-term horizon can guide decisions.
  3. To succeed in venture capital, focus on timing, biases, competition, specialization, and building capacity and capability.

Building Codiga: Don’t believe the hype

Tech Ramblings • 19 implied HN points • 27 Oct 23
💼 Business Startups Entrepreneurship Venture Capital Product Development Technology Trends
  1. It's important to focus on real value for users rather than chasing trends. If your product doesn't help people, it may fail.
  2. Many startups get attention for being trendy, but often they lack substance and can collapse quickly. Investors sometimes get blinded by hype.
  3. Staying true to solid principles and avoiding the latest fads will lead to better, longer-lasting companies. Always ask if what you are offering is truly valuable.

The Big Reset in Seed to Series A Graduation Rates is Real and Permanent

Venture Reflections • 35 implied HN points • 25 Oct 23
💼 Business Venture Capital Startup Ecosystem Fundraising Investor Relations Market Trends
  1. There is a significant drop in the percentage of seed-stage companies graduating to Series A rounds.
  2. The Series A market has been quiet in the past 18 months, especially outside of AI-related investments.
  3. The venture landscape is shifting towards more capital-efficient seed-stage companies with challenges in raising Series A rounds.

Series A activity: Week of October 09, 2023

Magid and Co • 19 implied HN points • 16 Oct 23
💼 Business Venture Capital
  1. The post shares data about Series A deals completed in the last week.
  2. The summary statistics focus on Series A deals globally (excluding China) with fundraising exceeding $5M and companies not in therapeutics.
  3. Readers are encouraged to subscribe for free to receive more posts and show support.

🤰🏽Mom-led startup action, exit trends, pivots, raises, top accelerators, funding, and more

Lolita's Newsletter • 19 implied HN points • 16 May 23
💼 Business Startups Funding Accelerators Entrepreneurship Venture Capital
  1. Moms in the United States control a significant portion of household purchases, showing impressive spending power.
  2. Mom founders like Jessica Alba, Melanie Perkins, Toyin Ajayi, and Whitney Wolf have achieved unicorn status with their startups.
  3. Supporting mom-led startups can lead to significant investments, high valuations, and successful exits.

Series A Activity: May 2023

Magid and Co • 19 implied HN points • 02 Jun 23
💼 Business Venture Capital Market Analysis
  1. The Series A market has a significant gap between the number of funds a founder knows and the number actually leading rounds, leading to inefficiencies.
  2. There is a challenge for founders to discover funds that could fit, and for funds to find suitable companies without appearing intrusive or shady.
  3. Fundamental changes in operational approaches are needed to address the challenges in fund discovery and cold outreach, tools alone may not be enough.

Series A activity: Week of July 24, 2023

Magid and Co • 19 implied HN points • 31 Jul 23
💼 Business Venture Capital
  1. Data on Series A deals done in the last week is available for download. The deals worldwide exclude China and focus on amounts greater than $5M.
  2. The summary stats show global Series A deals not focused on therapeutics and with amounts raised over $5M.
  3. Readers can subscribe for free to receive new posts and support the work of Magid and Co.

How to Run an Angel Syndicate: Part 1 - The Syndicate Tech Stack

The Odin Times • 19 implied HN points • 14 May 23
💼 Business Investing Technology Startups Venture Capital Entrepreneurship
  1. Running an angel syndicate requires specific software tools and a thoughtful tech stack.
  2. Key considerations for optimizing your tech stack include low running costs, maximum utility per tool, and minimizing the number of tools used.
  3. Tools recommended for angel syndicate operations include those for LP onboarding, LP management, deal flow distribution, data room management, analytics & tracking, and SPV administration.

Announcing the Second Annual Emerging Manager Circle Summit

Equal Ventures • 19 implied HN points • 14 Aug 23
💼 Business Venture Capital Networking Entrepreneurship Event Planning Community Building
  1. The Emerging Manager Circle (EMC) provides support and mentorship for emerging VC fund managers globally.
  2. The Second Annual Emerging Manager Circle Summit is a highly anticipated event featuring prominent speakers and aims to democratize the process of firm building.
  3. The summit brings together industry leaders, offers an intimate environment, and encourages applications from those interested in venture firm building or investing in emerging managers.

Investing for Alpha or Beta?

Equal Ventures • 19 implied HN points • 01 Jun 23
💰 Finance Investing Venture Capital Market Dynamics Risk management
  1. Venture capital industry can exhibit herd behavior and be consensus-driven, deviating from contrarian thinking.
  2. Investors chasing beta during market peaks can lead to significant losses when the market corrects, highlighting the importance of sound investment strategies.
  3. Sticking to core investment sectors, avoiding chasing trends, and focusing on long-term conviction can lead to sustainable returns independent of market cycles.

Series A activity: Week of August 28, 2023

Magid and Co • 19 implied HN points • 05 Sep 23
💼 Business Venture Capital
  1. A program called Shortcut Labs has been launched to help companies raise Series A funding easier by focusing on building repeatable growth for exceptional companies.
  2. The post shares data on Series A deals worldwide (excluding China) where the amount raised is over $5M and the company is not focused on therapeutics.
  3. Readers are encouraged to subscribe to Magid and Co for more updates on Series A activity and to support the work.

What do funding rounds look like for AI startups?

Entry Level Investing • 33 implied HN points • 18 Oct 23
💼 Business Funding Rounds AI Startups Venture Capital Framework
  1. Every subcategory of Company has its own KPIs and benchmarks for venture funding rounds.
  2. Application Layer AI companies are assessed similarly to traditional Enterprise SaaS solutions but with some leeway on revenue targets.
  3. Tooling Layer businesses tend to fundraise one stage behind Application Layer businesses due to higher capital investment and time requirements.

What makes something defensible?

Superfluid • 79 implied HN points • 29 Mar 23
💼 Business Venture Capital SaaS Startup Investment Competition
  1. Moats are evolving rapidly in the business world, fueled by technological advancements like GPT-4.
  2. Founders need to articulate their product's defensibility to VCs and focus on long-term moat building strategies.
  3. VCs may need to be more selective in their investments, considering competition, data as a moat, and the importance of long-term product vision.

When Big Finance Enters the Space Industry

Intersections (by Filip) • 19 implied HN points • 22 Jun 23
💰 Finance Investment Banking Venture Capital Relationship building
  1. Finance plays a crucial role in the space industry, with the need for understanding how big finance impacts space startups, from funding to strategic decisions.
  2. The field of finance exists to facilitate the flow of capital between households with savings and companies needing funding, focusing on growth and return on investment.
  3. Different investor types have varying expectations for returns, so it's important to align funding sources with the goals and growth plans of a startup to secure sustainable growth.

Footwork at Year 2

next big thing • 76 implied HN points • 13 Apr 23
💼 Business Venture Capital Investments Entrepreneurship Diversity Portfolio Management
  1. Footwork is an early-stage venture capital firm focused on making a handful of new investments each year.
  2. Their portfolio includes companies like Table22, Via, and Cradlewise, with a focus on diversity and close partnerships with founders.
  3. Despite market fluctuations, Footwork remains excited about new investments, with a specific interest in AI, climate tech, and education models.

👻 Fight 💥

Venture Prose • 219 implied HN points • 29 Apr 20
💼 Business Venture Capital Entrepreneurship Leadership Conflict resolution Team Dynamics
  1. The importance of defending against disrespectful behavior and engaging in constructive conflicts to potentially change one's own perspective.
  2. Having a growth mindset involves welcoming different views and understanding others' feelings for fruitful discussions.
  3. Emphasizing positive honesty and the need for respectful engagement in discussions, negotiations, and conflicts.

A conversation with Harry Stebbings, The Twenty Minute VC

next big thing • 48 implied HN points • 06 Sep 23
💼 Business Venture Capital Investing Startups Podcasts Entrepreneurship
  1. The post is a conversation with Harry Stebbings about venture capital, investing, AI-first companies, and more.
  2. The discussion covers topics like small funds outperforming large funds, the importance of product-market fit, and the hype cycle in AI.
  3. The post highlights the personal connection between the author and Harry Stebbings, spanning over 7 years.

Building Codiga: Fundraising

Tech Ramblings • 19 implied HN points • 24 Aug 23
💼 Business Fundraising Startups Venture Capital Entrepreneurship Investment
  1. Only raise funds if absolutely necessary. Giving up control to investors can complicate your leadership.
  2. Fundraising requires a lot of effort. Prepare a solid pitch, connect with the right investors, and be persistent in reaching out to many of them.
  3. Choosing the right investors is crucial. Look for those with experience who genuinely care about your success, as they can provide valuable guidance.

Not Just Investors, But Product Owners

Equal Ventures • 19 implied HN points • 02 Feb 23
💼 Business Venture Capital Strategic Planning Leadership Employee Development
  1. Equal Ventures focuses on verticalizing staff, with team members specializing in specific sectors like retail, climate, and insurance, allowing for deeper expertise in those areas.
  2. Transitioning planning efforts from a top-down approach to being led by Product Owners like Chelsea, Simran, and Adam enables more personalized strategies for dominating each vertical at the seed stage.
  3. Empowering employees to take the lead in shaping the firm's direction not only tailors approaches to specific markets but also fosters individual growth opportunities that benefit both the team and the firm.

Welcome Suppli to the Equal Ventures Portfolio

Equal Ventures • 19 implied HN points • 26 Jan 23
💼 Business Venture Capital
  1. Equal Ventures focuses on partnering with founders building verticalized software platforms like Suppli, tailored to specific industry needs.
  2. Suppli's approach targets digitizing and automating critical workflows unique to the construction industry, such as optimizing procurement and payments processes to enhance the cash flow.
  3. The focus on mid-market distributors with existing relationships and specific pain points presents a strategic advantage for Suppli in the construction materials industry.

Building Codiga: Getting Started

Tech Ramblings • 19 implied HN points • 12 Aug 23
💼 Business Startups Entrepreneurship Venture Capital Product Development
  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 Venture Capital Entrepreneurship Finance Sustainability
  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.

30 Top Angel Investors in Cyber

The Security Industry • 26 implied HN points • 15 Oct 23
💼 Business Investing Venture Capital Entrepreneurship Cybersecurity Startups
  1. Angel investors play a crucial role in startup funding by taking significant risks and often waiting years for returns.
  2. To reduce risk, angel investors make multiple investments in various companies.
  3. Top angel investors in cybersecurity, such as Shlomo Kramer and Ariel Maislos, have impressive track records and investments in key companies.