The hottest Venture Capital Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Business Topics

Fund Frontier Expeditions otherwise just buy the "Magnificent Seven"

State of the Future • 24 implied HN points • 07 Jan 25
💼 Business Venture Capital
  1. Venture capital has changed a lot due to higher interest rates. This makes it harder for startups to get money and has led to a drop in their valuations.
  2. Startups are taking longer to go public now. This means investors are waiting longer to see their returns, which can make venture capital less appealing.
  3. Big tech companies are becoming dominant in AI because they have the money to invest heavily. This creates high barriers for new startups, making it tough for them to compete.

Global LP Perspectives in a Changing Market

Tippets by Taps • 10 implied HN points • 24 Jun 25
💼 Business Venture Capital
  1. Liquidity is a big issue for investors everywhere. They are waiting for returns, especially in regions like Australia where companies like Canva are under a lot of pressure to go public.
  2. AI is seen as a huge opportunity by all investors. They feel they can't miss out on the companies shaping the future, even if they are frustrated by the current lack of liquidity.
  3. The US, especially Silicon Valley, is still the main hub for tech and AI innovation. Many investors want to get involved there while waiting for their local markets to grow.

TabaPay Working On A Deal To Acquire Synapse, Sources Say

Fintech Business Weekly • 59 implied HN points • 10 Mar 24
💼 Business Venture Capital
  1. TabaPay is in talks to acquire Synapse, a banking-as-a-service platform, to potentially mitigate damage caused by a past financial incident.
  2. Oxygen, a neobank, is pivoting to focus on 'health solutions' temporarily, suspending its banking services.
  3. Trade groups are suing to block a new CFPB rule that limits credit card late fees, arguing it restricts choices and responsible credit card use.

The crisis VCs face turning investments into cash returns

Alex's Personal Blog • 32 implied HN points • 14 Oct 24
💼 Business Venture Capital
  1. Venture capitalists are struggling to turn their investments into cash returns. This means they are having a tough time selling their stakes in companies for a profit.
  2. There has been a significant drop in the number of venture-backed company exits. The amount of money made from these exits is now much lower than it was in previous years.
  3. The slow pace of returns is affecting the number of active venture funds. Many funds have stopped working or reduced in size because of the less promising investment environment.

Building Codiga: Fundraising

Tech Ramblings • 19 implied HN points • 24 Aug 23
💼 Business Venture Capital
  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.
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Not Just Investors, But Product Owners

Equal Ventures • 19 implied HN points • 02 Feb 23
💼 Business Venture Capital
  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.

Deep Tech For Deep Minds? Or Deep Pockets?

Investing 101 • 59 implied HN points • 24 Feb 24
💼 Business Venture Capital
  1. The history of venture capital reveals a significant role played by hardware companies in the tech industry's early days, tracing back to the 1950s and even earlier.
  2. The decline in hardware investment by VCs in favor of software has had implications on manufacturing and American industrial capabilities, with a recent resurgence in manufacturing employment in the US.
  3. The recent interest in hard tech and manufacturing by VCs has led to a new wave of investment, sparked by success stories like SpaceX and Nvidia, raising concerns about hype cycles and the need for a deeper understanding of the complexities of hard tech startups.

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 Venture Capital
  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.

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.

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 Venture Capital
  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 Venture Capital
  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 Venture Capital
  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.

Four Reasons People Leave Venture Firms

Venture Reflections • 20 implied HN points • 07 Jan 25
💼 Business Venture Capital
  1. People often leave venture firms due to interpersonal conflicts. Sometimes, team members just don't get along, leading to a toxic work environment.
  2. Poor performance or low expectations can drive people out of a firm. If someone's work isn't meeting the firm's goals, they might be asked to leave.
  3. Many individuals seek more control over their careers. They may leave to find better opportunities or build firms that align with their values.

Where Returns Lie in Venture Capital

East Wind • 29 implied HN points • 17 Sep 24
💼 Business Venture Capital
  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.

Investing in the Age of Generative AI

East Wind • 37 implied HN points • 26 Jun 24
💼 Business Venture Capital
  1. Investors are really excited about generative AI because it can change how businesses operate. This excitement comes after a slowdown in traditional software growth, making AI seem like a fresh opportunity.
  2. However, the generative AI market is seeing some signs of trouble. Big funding levels are leading to fierce competition and some companies are struggling to keep up, which might lead to fewer successful startups.
  3. Ventures need to adapt quickly, as the landscape is changing fast. Investors should consider focusing on smaller markets where companies can still grow and succeed, rather than chasing after larger, more saturated markets.

Five Themes for New Investments in Mid-2023

next big thing • 83 implied HN points • 28 Jun 23
💼 Business Venture Capital
  1. Aging presents opportunities for new products and services to improve the lives of older adults.
  2. Investing in climate and sustainability companies offers the chance to solve big problems with novel solutions.
  3. The education market has evolved, with a focus on solutions for schools and districts to meet students' and families' needs.

Tech-Financial-VC Bubbles

Turnaround • 158 implied HN points • 04 Apr 20
💰 Finance Venture Capital
  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.

How To Find Problem-Solution Fit? (A Framework) | VC Jobs

Venture Curator • 2 HN points • 04 Jun 24
💼 Business Venture Capital
  1. Startups need to ensure their solutions fit the problems they are trying to solve for a successful venture.
  2. The process of finding Problem-Solution Fit involves moving from idea conception to validation in phases.
  3. It's crucial for founders to understand the distinction between Problem-Solution Fit and Product-Market Fit to navigate their startup's growth effectively.

Three Future States of the Early-Stage VC Ecosystem

Venture Reflections • 21 implied HN points • 03 Dec 24
💼 Business Venture Capital
  1. The early-stage VC market might return to old ways, but it's unlikely because many multi-stage firms are now investing in seed rounds. This means the landscape is changing, and firms might not find comfort in going back to the past.
  2. There could be a split in how seed and multi-stage firms operate. Seed firms may focus on smaller exits around $1 billion, while multi-stage firms chase much larger exits over $5 billion. This will change how both types of firms approach investments and support their companies.
  3. Multi-stage firms might take over the seed investing space thanks to their resources and strong networks. If they attract the best startups, smaller seed-focused firms may struggle to compete, which could reshape the future of venture capital.

Introducing the Equal Ventures Talent Network

Equal Ventures • 79 implied HN points • 16 Jun 21
💼 Business Venture Capital
  1. Startup founders can leverage VCs to determine which startups are promising to join, as VCs have access to valuable information.
  2. Equal Ventures has launched the Talent Network to help startup operators connect with opportunities and roles in a more organized and scalable manner.
  3. The Talent Network portal assists individuals in exploring roles in venture-backed companies and also helps in finding executives and founding team members for incubations.

Where are the Female Founders in Generative AI?

Sarah’s Substack • 1 HN point • 12 Jul 24
🕹 Technology Venture Capital
  1. Women are less likely to take risks when choosing career paths, which affects their representation in fields like generative AI.
  2. The generative AI industry is rapidly evolving, making it harder for anyone to find a clear path to success, especially for women.
  3. With generative AI expected to create significant wealth, the lack of female founders could lead to a future without diverse perspectives in this important sector.

Why investors think hardware is hard

Robots & Startups • 19 implied HN points • 27 Feb 23
💼 Business Venture Capital
  1. Investors find hardware startups challenging due to the complexities involved in manufacturing and scaling physical products.
  2. New investors with smaller funds are emerging in the hardware space, presenting competition to established players like Sequoia.
  3. There's a growing interest among hardware investors to attract limited partners and secure private equity in the industry.

One-Round Wonder

Working Theorys • 50 implied HN points • 15 Dec 23
💼 Business Venture Capital
  1. Startup can find a balance between bootstrapped and venture-funded paths
  2. One-round wonder is about using a strategic, single round of funding with intention
  3. Ideal range for 'one round' funding: $100,000 to $5,000,000

What Matters Most: How We Develop Conviction at Seed

Equal Ventures • 39 implied HN points • 14 Mar 22
💼 Business Venture Capital
  1. Developing conviction at seed stage involves looking beyond basic metrics and focusing on long-term potential.
  2. Key factors for investing include evaluating moat trajectory, proximity to product-market fit, and identifying catalysts for market entry.
  3. Team evaluation is crucial, prioritizing qualities like grit, decision-making, and founder-market fit over pedigree.

What makes something defensible?

Superfluid • 79 implied HN points • 29 Mar 23
💼 Business Venture Capital
  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.

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

Entry Level Investing • 84 implied HN points • 28 Feb 23
💰 Finance Venture Capital
  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.

A VC That Builds

Fifty Years News • 70 implied HN points • 07 Jun 23
💼 Business Venture Capital
  1. A VC firm should operate like a startup to support founders effectively.
  2. Fifty Years focuses on helping founders solve significant world problems.
  3. They have developed various tools and programs to enhance support for their founders.

Footwork at Year 2

next big thing • 76 implied HN points • 13 Apr 23
💼 Business Venture Capital
  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.

Equal Ventures Hiring MBA Research Interns

Equal Ventures • 59 implied HN points • 09 Aug 21
💼 Business Venture Capital
  1. Equal Ventures is hiring MBA Research Interns to work on specific verticals like Care Economies, Climate / Energy, Insurance, Retail, and Supply Chain / Logistics.
  2. The role focuses on developing investment themes and a research database, providing a ground-level view at a high-growth VC fund.
  3. Ideal candidates for the internship are professional, intellectually curious, self-directed, and friendly, with experience in market research.

no. 53: restaurants on the radio

let them eat cake • 39 implied HN points • 01 May 22
🍲 Food & Drink Venture Capital
  1. Venture-tech has negatively impacted the US restaurant scene by funding delivery services, ghost kitchens, and virtual brands.
  2. The internet has a way of separating content from its physical origins and redirecting the financial flows that content generates.
  3. Technology has been changing the restaurant landscape significantly, impacting how restaurants operate and how they interact with customers.

Promotions at Equal Ventures: Congratulations to Chelsea & Simran!

Equal Ventures • 39 implied HN points • 21 Jan 22
💼 Business Venture Capital
  1. Equal Ventures announced promotions for Chelsea Zhang and Simran Suri, recognizing their significant contributions to the company.
  2. Chelsea Zhang's journey from intern to Senior Associate showcases her impactful work in Supply Chain and Retail, driving investments and bolstering the company's confidence in the food industry.
  3. Simran Suri's dedication to Climate and the Care Economy, despite joining remotely, demonstrates her expertise and innovative contributions, making her a valuable asset to the firm.

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

I Am Not a Robot • 55 HN points • 26 Jul 23
💼 Business Venture Capital
  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.

Maze: A Different Type of Security Company

Why Now • 6 implied HN points • 11 Jun 25
🕹 Technology Venture Capital
  1. Maze has recently raised $25 million in a Series A funding round and is already used by Fortune 500 companies, showing early success in the cybersecurity space.
  2. The number of software vulnerabilities is growing quickly, with a drop in the average time it takes for these vulnerabilities to be exploited. This means businesses need to stay ahead of the threats.
  3. Due to a lack of data on vulnerabilities, companies may need to look for new ways to access information. This situation could open up opportunities for new solutions in vulnerability management.

A conversation with Harry Stebbings, The Twenty Minute VC

next big thing • 48 implied HN points • 06 Sep 23
💼 Business Venture Capital
  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.

What is a “Prepared Mind” and why does it matter?

Equal Ventures • 59 implied HN points • 18 Apr 21
💼 Business Venture Capital
  1. Having a "prepared mind" means having an informed perspective in a specific industry or space, enabling meaningful partnerships with founders.
  2. In traditional venture capital, past experiences of VCs in specific industries were crucial for adding value to startups.
  3. As venture expands to new sectors, having a "prepared mind" tailored to those industries becomes essential for effective support and investment.