The hottest Venture Capital Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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The Uncommon Executive • 99 implied HN points • 22 Feb 24
💼 Business Diversity Career Advancement Coaching Entrepreneurship Venture Capital
  1. Yue Zhao is passionate about helping minorities succeed in the business world, as she believes the best opportunities are unfairly distributed to white men.
  2. Yue Zhao started her career in engineering, worked at prestigious companies like McKinsey, Thumbtack, and Instagram, and is now a venture partner at LifeX Ventures.
  3. Yue Zhao aims to use her Substack newsletter to share insights and advice to help minorities and women advance in their careers and personal lives.

Thinking about Writing Down your Investment?

SaaS Engineering • 137 implied HN points • 07 Jan 24
💰 Finance Investments Venture Capital Startups Valuation Capital Markets
  1. Understanding the difference between preferred and common stock is crucial for calculating holding values.
  2. Writing down investments only makes sense if a company's value decreases below the size of its liquidation preference relative to the investment.
  3. High valuations may not always benefit investors due to misaligned incentives, especially in scenarios where the company's valuation is higher than its true worth.

Where Do The Great Startup Ideas Come From - Stripe & Airbnb Case?| OpenAI Saga Explained | VC Remote Jobs & More

Venture Curator • 179 implied HN points • 21 Nov 23
💼 Business Startups Venture Capital Innovation Entrepreneurship Finance
  1. Startups like Airbnb, Coinbase, and Stripe succeeded by challenging existing players and aiming to do things 10 times better, turning competition into inspiration.
  2. Successful founders like those of Airbnb and Stripe ignored naysayers and pursued their wild ideas, pushing through doubt and expert skepticism.
  3. Timing, unique ideas, and unexpected market sizes played key roles in the success stories of startups like Airbnb, Stripe, and Coinbase, showing that unconventional approaches can lead to great outcomes.
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The Game-Changing Clause For Entrepreneur , VC Funds Are Mostly Just Wasting Their Time and Your Money, VC Jobs & More

Venture Curator • 219 implied HN points • 19 Aug 23
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Venture Capital Investments Startups Jobs
  1. In negotiating convertible notes, entrepreneurs should include a clause to prevent early investors from taking advantage of rising valuations.
  2. A study by Morgan Stanley calls into question the superior returns claimed by VC funds, highlighting challenges and inconsistencies in the industry.
  3. Investors often face struggles in accurately valuing equity in VC investments due to complex structures, contributing to potential overvaluation.

Spotlight: Rob Desborough - Managing Partner @ Seraphim Space & CEO Seraphim Space Accelerator

Space Ambition • 219 implied HN points • 25 Aug 23
💼 Business Investment Technology Venture Capital Startups Space Tech
  1. Rob Desborough leads a major space-focused venture capital firm that helps many spacetech startups grow. They are not only funding new space ideas but also managing a special trust that invests in this sector.
  2. There is a growing interest in spacetech investments, with more people and companies getting involved. Recent years have seen a rise in new investors and significant funding, especially in Europe and Asia.
  3. Space technology is now focused on important issues like climate change and global security. The industry is looking at exciting areas like sustainability and space mining to solve big problems on Earth.

Hidden Clauses In The Term Sheet that Every Founder Should Know | 2008 Venture Capital Market Recovery | How To Convince Investors? | VC Remote Jobs & Internships and More

Venture Curator • 219 implied HN points • 08 Sep 23
💼 Business Venture Capital Investment Startups Entrepreneurship Finance
  1. Understanding hidden clauses in term sheets is crucial for founders to avoid disputes and confusion in the future.
  2. Knowing the economic aspects of term sheets, such as valuation, investment amount, and anti-dilution, can help founders negotiate effectively with VCs.
  3. Founders and investors should remember that a term sheet is a tool for communication and does not guarantee success; a strong business does.

Why it's Better To Raise Less Capital In The First Round? | Don’t Waste Time Chasing Investors | How To Convince Investors | VC Jobs & More

Venture Curator • 219 implied HN points • 28 Aug 23
💼 Business Venture Capital Startup funding Entrepreneurship Investing
  1. Start Small, Stay Nimble: Raising less capital in early stages allows flexibility for strategic adjustments while maintaining control.
  2. Small Beginnings, Bigger Rewards: As your startup proves its worth, raising less initially can lead to diluting fewer shares and higher valuations later on.
  3. Grow Smarter, Stronger: Strategic use of capital matters more than the amount raised, like nurturing a seed to watch your startup grow into a mighty oak.

How a Convertible Note Converts During Priced Round (e.g- Series A, B) ? | 2008-09 Global Startup Ecoystem & More

Venture Curator • 219 implied HN points • 10 Jul 23
💼 Business Startups Investing Venture Capital Jobs Mathematics
  1. Convertible notes convert in three ways: Pre-money Method, Percentage Ownership Method, Dollars Invested Method, catering to different preferences of founders and investors.
  2. Key parameters to consider in evaluating a convertible note include Discount Rate, Valuation Cap, Interest Rate, and Maturity Date, which affect the conversion process during priced rounds like Series A or B.
  3. Understanding the math behind the conversion of convertible notes during priced rounds involves calculations based on factors like pre-money valuation, discount rates, and valuation caps, influencing the final ownership percentages.

Hidden Trap Of Convertible Note and Liquidation Preference Multiples | Marc Andreessen On Risk-Cash Relation | VC Remote Jobs & More

Venture Curator • 179 implied HN points • 13 Nov 23
💼 Business Venture Capital Startups Finance Investing Entrepreneurship
  1. One should be aware of the hidden traps of convertible notes and liquidation preference multiples, especially in funding rounds.
  2. Founder should keep the liquidation preference multiples in check to prevent undesired outcomes for themselves.
  3. To tackle the impact of multiple liquidation preferences, founders can consider issuing sub-series of preferred stock for protection.

the end of zero-marginal costs + the end of your ai fund

State of the Future • 44 implied HN points • 15 Jan 25
💰 Finance Venture Capital Market Trends Startups Economic Factors
  1. AI investing is getting more complicated and expensive because it requires a lot of computing power to operate. This has shifted the focus from free services with low costs to ones that need higher budgets.
  2. Startups may struggle with lower profit margins compared to past tech companies, which could make it harder for them to grow and attract funding. Investors are taking notice of these challenges.
  3. Public markets might offer better opportunities for investing in AI now, compared to private startups. Companies with solid infrastructure, like big tech firms, have an edge that makes investing directly in them more appealing.

How to Talk About Valuation Numbers When Investor Ask? | VC Remote Jobs & More

Venture Curator • 179 implied HN points • 06 Nov 23
💼 Business Venture Capital Investor Relations Job Opportunities
  1. When discussing valuation with investors, avoid naming a specific price but instead give a general range to 'anchor' them and test their reaction.
  2. Be prepared to discuss your past fundraising, including the post-money valuation and amount raised, as VCs use this information to assess fit and potential issues.
  3. When asked if existing investors are participating in the round, balance showing their support with the need to meet new investor expectations while maintaining good relationships.

Letter #154: Josh Kushner and Kareem Zaki (2023)

A Letter a Day • 98 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
💼 Business Venture Capital Investing Startups Technology Entrepreneurship
  1. When starting a venture capital firm, consider going against conventional wisdom and focus on a unique approach. Josh Kushner and Kareem Zaki emphasize the importance of building a firm that is hands-on and sector-agnostic, going beyond traditional boundaries in investment strategies.
  2. In consumer investments, look at trends like the rise of creators and the power of brands. Thrive Capital highlights the significance of coupling an extraordinary product with strong brand presence across different industries, not just limited to direct-to-consumer businesses.
  3. Consider major life decisions beyond a specific industry. The intersection of software and hardware, growth in healthcare technology, and trends like brain-machine interfaces offer promising investment opportunities. Keeping a flexible mindset and being able to adapt to fast-paced changes is crucial in today's evolving landscape.

Hidden Trap Of Convertible Note and Liquidation Preference Multiples | Getting First 1000 Customers | Weekend's Reading & More

Venture Curator • 199 implied HN points • 28 Jul 23
💼 Business Venture Capital Startup Financing
  1. Convertible notes can have hidden traps with liquidation preference multiples, impacting founders and investors.
  2. Founders can issue sub-series of preferred stock to protect themselves from inflated liquidation preferences.
  3. Finding the first 1000 customers is challenging, requiring experimentation with different strategies and channels.

How VCs Make High-Quality Investment Decisions? | Why Top 1% Of Founders Quit Their Startup? | Best Traits That Investors Look In Founders | VC Remote Jobs and More

Venture Curator • 199 implied HN points • 11 Sep 23
💼 Business Startups Investment Founders Venture Capital Remote Jobs
  1. Understanding the Venture Capital Method can help founders grasp how investors evaluate startups and make high-quality investment decisions.
  2. Top 1% of founders often quit due to factors like loss of control, pressure for results, and personal finance realities, emphasizing the importance of mental health in entrepreneurship.
  3. Investors look for specific traits in founders, such as resilience, integrity, and adaptability, when deciding to fund startups, underscoring the significance of founder characteristics.

Decoding Liquidation Preference, Particiaption & Non-Participation Rights? | YC Startup Index Gives 176% Return | VC Funding Report | Weekend Readings & More

Venture Curator • 199 implied HN points • 07 Jul 23
💰 Finance Startup Financing Venture Capital Investment Trends Remote Jobs
  1. Understanding terms like 1x participation and non-participation is crucial for founders and investors in startup financing to protect their investments.
  2. Having a 1x non-participation liquidation preference can be advantageous for founders during company liquidation to ensure returns.
  3. YC Startup Index shows a remarkable 176% average annual return, surpassing other asset classes and venture capital funds.

What Every Founder Should Know About Valuations? | Is The VC Investment Model Broken? | VC Remote Jobs and More

Venture Curator • 199 implied HN points • 29 Sep 23
💼 Business Startups Venture Capital Valuations Remote Jobs
  1. Valuation of a company is determined by factors like the stage of the company, funding competition, leadership team experience, market size, and financial performance.
  2. The VC investment model is facing challenges due to factors like high interest rates, late-stage investments yielding lower returns, and the importance of profitability.
  3. Companies don't always need to calculate their value when fundraising; options like convertible notes and SAFEs allow for postponing valuation to later rounds to avoid potential dilution.

Understand All About SAFE | AI’s $200B Question: Long Term’s Good, Short Team Messy! | VC Remote Jobs and More

Venture Curator • 199 implied HN points • 02 Oct 23
💼 Business Startups Venture Capital Investments Entrepreneurship Job Opportunities
  1. Understanding SAFE Agreement - No Debt and No Equity. A different funding option for startups that doesn't fit traditional categories.
  2. 5 Types of SAFE Notes explained with examples. Different scenarios of how a SAFE investment can convert and affect valuation.
  3. Considerations about AI and GPU investments. Long-term benefits versus short-term challenges in the AI industry, highlighting the need for innovative startups to create real value.

The VC Corner 📰 #4

The VC Corner • 139 implied HN points • 15 Dec 23
💼 Business Venture Capital Startups Investing Entrepreneurship Market Trends
  1. Venture capital news is important for anyone involved in startups. Staying updated helps investors and teams make better decisions.
  2. The newsletter offers resources and insights that can guide new and experienced investors alike. It’s a useful tool for the venture capital community.
  3. A free trial is available to explore past posts. This makes it easy for readers to see if the content fits their needs.

✨ Building a Modern Constellation Software

Overlooked by Alexandre Dewez • 196 implied HN points • 17 Apr 23
💼 Business Venture Capital Software Acquisitions Entrepreneurship
  1. The world has changed since the inception of Constellation Software in 1995.
  2. A new player cannot directly compete with Constellation Software's acquisition strategies and existing relationships.
  3. Building a modern software conglomerate would require focusing on growth, quality, and building synergies rather than mimicking Constellation Software's exact model.

China’s evolving global tech expansion – a lens from the Middle East

Christopher’s Newsletter • 196 implied HN points • 28 Sep 23
💼 Business Global expansion Tech startups Venture Capital Innovation
  1. Conversations in the world of tech startups are often bottom-up, driven by new generations and their enterprises.
  2. Chinese tech companies serve as models for innovation globally, navigating challenges not typically seen in the West.
  3. Global expansion of tech will be driven by opportunity costs, market accessibility, and localization efforts in different regions.

Why it's Better To Raise Less Capital In The First Funding Round? | Finding Early Adopters For Your MVP! | VC Remote Jobs & More

Venture Curator • 139 implied HN points • 08 Dec 23
💼 Business Startup funding Entrepreneurship Venture Capital Investing Career development
  1. Start Small, Stay Nimble: Raising less capital early on gives flexibility for strategic adjustments while retaining control.
  2. Small Beginnings, Bigger Rewards: Raising less initially leads to diluting fewer shares later as the startup's valuation naturally increases.
  3. Grow Smart, Grow Strong: It's not about the amount of capital raised but how strategically it is used for smarter growth.

YC, Alchemist, Gitex want robot startups!

Robots & Startups • 59 implied HN points • 01 Apr 24
💼 Business Startups Accelerators Venture Capital Robotics Events
  1. Y Combinator, Alchemist, and Gitex are seeking robot startups for various programs and events.
  2. Startup accelerator programs like Alchemist Accelerator have specific criteria for founders and offer opportunities for nominations and fast-tracked interviews.
  3. There are numerous deadlines for startup calls in diverse fields like mobility, med devices, and deep tech, along with events like the Gitex Global in Dubai.

90% Of Founders Can't Build Successful MVP: Don't Be One | End of SaaS Is Closer | VC Remote Jobs & More

Venture Curator • 179 implied HN points • 20 Oct 23
💼 Business Startups Venture Capital Entrepreneurship Tech industry Remote Jobs
  1. Building a successful MVP involves focusing on the 'viable' aspect, listening to customer feedback, and iterating for improvement.
  2. 90% of startup founders fail at building successful MVPs due to not grasping the true essence of MVP and focusing solely on building a product.
  3. Successful startups like Airbnb, Twitch, and Stripe started with basic MVPs, appealing to early adopters and iterating based on user feedback.

Timing Is The Single Biggest Reason Why Startups Succeed! | On the Life & Death of Y Combinator Startups | VC Remote Jobs and More

Venture Curator • 179 implied HN points • 17 Oct 23
💼 Business Startups Venture Capital Investments Technology Market Analysis
  1. Timing is crucial for startup success - knowing when to enter a market can make or break a startup
  2. Different types of markets affect a startup's fate: small market not growing, large market with past growth, being too early, or small market growing quickly
  3. Entrepreneurs should focus on being in a small market that is growing rapidly to increase chances of success

The Ultimate Startup Quest: Building Something Special (in VC)

Equal Ventures • 99 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
💼 Business Venture Capital Startups Investing Entrepreneurship Industry insights
  1. Equal Ventures focuses on proactive research and industry connectivity to have a point of view on markets and build thoughtful partnerships with founders.
  2. Equal Ventures supports founders with continuous learning, frameworks, and best practices to help them navigate challenges and succeed in their industries.
  3. Equal Ventures' slow investment pace allows for deep alignment and meaningful support for portfolio companies, building long-term relationships beyond current roles.

Spotlight: Raffaele Mauro – GP @ Primo Space

Space Ambition • 319 implied HN points • 31 Mar 23
💼 Business Venture Capital Investment Startups Technology Innovation
  1. Investing in space technology is exciting because it combines finance, innovation, and many different industries like hardware and software. There's a lot of potential to create solutions that can improve our world.
  2. Italy is a great place for space tech startups due to its talented engineers and strong support from the government. Recent investments are creating a vibrant ecosystem that nurtures innovation in the space sector.
  3. Space tech startups face challenges in adapting to the changing market and managing cash flow. Founders need to be flexible, resourceful, and ready to work with investors who can take on risks to succeed.

Questions VCs Will Ask You! | Positioning Your Startup is Vital, How To Do It? | VC Remote Jobs and More

Venture Curator • 179 implied HN points • 09 Oct 23
💼 Business Startups Venture Capital Entrepreneurship Investing Marketing
  1. A great team is crucial for a startup's success, and investors will ask questions to understand how the team came together, their motivations, and any key gaps that need to be filled.
  2. When pitching to investors, be prepared to explain your product clearly, its target market, the problem it solves, and how it stands out. Investors want to know if customers will seek out and pay for your product.
  3. Investors focus on the market size, growth potential, competition, and go-to-market strategy when evaluating startups. Having a clear positioning statement and understanding your market's total addressable market are key.

Don't Send All 'Your Data To Investors' Too Early In The Process: The Counter-Intuitive Fund-Raising Advice | VC Remote Jobs & More

Venture Curator • 139 implied HN points • 29 Nov 23
💼 Business Venture Capital Fundraising Startups Jobs Investors
  1. Avoid sending all your data to investors early on in the fundraising process, as it can hinder progress.
  2. Getting the first meeting with a VC might not be easy, but follow-up meetings can be harder to secure.
  3. Creating a data room and providing access too soon can lead to a lack of engagement from investors, leading to a failed fundraising process.

Decoding Sequoia Capital: How Do They Dominate the VC Landscape?

Venture Curator • 199 implied HN points • 12 Jun 23
💼 Business Venture Capital Investing Entrepreneurship Startup Financial Strategies
  1. Sequoia Capital is a powerhouse in the VC landscape, known for remarkable strategies that have led to unprecedented success.
  2. Sequoia has an impressive track record of investing in one in five private unicorns globally, with a focus on disruptive products and founders with technical knowledge.
  3. Key figures at Sequoia, like Don Valentine and Doug Leone, have distinct investment philosophies highlighting the importance of market potential, strong founding teams, and learning from failures.

Why Do VC Firms Want an Option Pool Before the VC Round? | Lessons from the Dot-Com Era for Generative AI Hype| How Startups Use VC Funds to Invest in Other Startups? | VC Remote Jobs and More

Venture Curator • 179 implied HN points • 15 Sep 23
💼 Business Venture Capital Startup funding Investment Strategies Tech Trends Remote work
  1. VC firms prefer having an option pool before the funding round to ensure proper allocation of shares and ownership percentages among founders, investors, and future employees.
  2. Lessons from the Dot-Com era suggest parallels with the current Generative AI hype, highlighting potential trends in commoditization, emergence of innovative disruptors, and advice for startups to focus on long-term goals.
  3. Startups often reinvest VC funds into other startups, showcasing a trend seen during peak market craziness, where companies like Stripe and Coinbase made significant investments.

The Babe Ruth Effect in Venture Capital | When To Prioritize Growth Over Profitability? | VC Remote Jobs and More

Venture Curator • 179 implied HN points • 22 Sep 23
💼 Business Venture Capital Startups Investing Funding Remote Jobs
  1. The concept of the 'Babe Ruth Effect' in venture capital explains the importance of evaluating investments based on expected value analysis to achieve superior performance
  2. Deciding between prioritizing profitability or growth in startups depends on factors like market dynamics, access to funding, and business model, and it's crucial to understand where to focus at an early stage
  3. Successful venture capital funds exhibit a 'Babe Ruth Effect' by having more 'home run' investments of greater magnitude, even though they may also have a higher percentage of investments that lose money

What's Better Than Product Market Fit (PMF)? It's Product Market Distribution Fit (PMDF) | Tips For Negotiating Valuation With Investors | VC Remote Jobs and More

Venture Curator • 179 implied HN points • 25 Sep 23
💼 Business Startups Venture Capital Negotiation Investors Remote Jobs
  1. Achieving Product Market Distribution Fit (PMDF) is crucial for startup success, not just Product Market Fit (PMF). Channel selection plays a vital role in reaching target customers.
  2. Early investment in sales and marketing can lead to better business outcomes than solely focusing on product quality.
  3. Efficient distribution channels are essential for startup growth; understanding Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC) and Lifetime Value (LTV) ratio is key in achieving success.