The hottest Venture Capital Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Business Topics
DeFi Education β€’ 679 implied HN points β€’ 22 Mar 22
  1. Having a clear investment process is important. Documenting what you do helps you improve and grow over time.
  2. Teamwork can enhance your investment decisions. Consider gathering a small group to discuss and evaluate investment ideas together.
  3. Monitoring your investments is crucial. Don't just set it and forget it; keep an eye on your assets and know when to sell or change your strategy.
Inverted J Curves β€’ 78 implied HN points β€’ 04 Jan 24
  1. Global VC investments decreased in 2023, especially in European tech.
  2. Funding for European early-stage companies remained steady, with higher valuations at pre-Series A companies.
  3. In the New Nordics, climate tech attracted the most funding, with predictions for a fundraising frenzy in 2024 and higher bar for early-stage funding.
Venture Curator β€’ 159 implied HN points β€’ 14 May 23
  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.
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Venture Curator β€’ 159 implied HN points β€’ 10 May 23
  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.
Lolita's Newsletter β€’ 58 implied HN points β€’ 11 Feb 24
  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.
Venture Curator β€’ 159 implied HN points β€’ 06 May 23
  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.
Updater, Shannon Liao's gaming newsletter β€’ 117 implied HN points β€’ 09 Mar 23
  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
TheSequence β€’ 21 implied HN points β€’ 23 Jan 25
  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.
Venture Curator β€’ 139 implied HN points β€’ 18 May 23
  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.
Africa: The Big Deal β€’ 58 implied HN points β€’ 30 Jan 24
  1. Female-led ventures in Africa raised just above $200m in 2023, showing positive YoY growth.
  2. Female CEOs represented 20% of ventures raising $100k+ in Africa in 2023.
  3. Representation of women-led start-ups decreases in larger funding deals.
Venture Curator β€’ 139 implied HN points β€’ 08 May 23
  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.
Equal Ventures β€’ 79 implied HN points β€’ 05 Dec 23
  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.
State of the Future β€’ 24 implied HN points β€’ 07 Jan 25
  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.
The VC Corner β€’ 79 implied HN points β€’ 01 Dec 23
  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 New Internet by Jeff Morris Jr. β€’ 10 implied HN points β€’ 22 Nov 24
  1. The creator economy has exploded since 2019, allowing many artists and influencers to turn their online popularity into profitable businesses. They create content, build audiences, and find various ways to earn money.
  2. Investors are shifting focus from traditional 'creator stack' platforms to supporting creators directly. This new model involves investing in creators for a share of their future earnings, recognizing that creators could also build software and tech businesses.
  3. Advancements in AI are changing how creators work, enabling them to create software without big teams. More creators are moving towards building apps and software products, expanding beyond just making content.
Japan Economy Watch β€’ 179 implied HN points β€’ 02 Feb 23
  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 β€’ 79 implied HN points β€’ 24 Nov 23
  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.
Ubiquitous Thoughts β€’ 98 implied HN points β€’ 12 Jul 23
  1. Sunil Nagaraj shares his unique career journey and entrepreneurial experiences
  2. Insights on the 'Solo GP' model of venture capital and lessons learned from pitching LPs
  3. Focus on investments in deeptech startups and the importance of authenticity in career endeavors
Lolita's Newsletter β€’ 98 implied HN points β€’ 02 Jul 23
  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 BeyoncΓ© and Barbie
  3. Announcements of funds raised by various ventures and empowerment initiatives for underrepresented founders
Venture Prose β€’ 1058 implied HN points β€’ 03 Jul 20
  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.
Venture Prose β€’ 419 implied HN points β€’ 05 Jan 22
  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.
Equal Ventures β€’ 59 implied HN points β€’ 03 Jan 24
  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.
Not Boring by Packy McCormick β€’ 156 implied HN points β€’ 20 Feb 24
  1. Venture capital is considered to be the best asset class due to its ability to fund innovation and high potential returns.
  2. Despite its risks and failures, venture capital has historically delivered strong returns and funded groundbreaking ideas.
  3. Venture capital's free lunch concept is the idea that through the failures and successes in investment, society benefits from innovation without direct costs.
The Future, Now and Then β€’ 92 implied HN points β€’ 26 Feb 24
  1. Chris Dixon's book 'Read Write Own' discusses the impact of blockchain technology, but fails to address the potential downsides of Web3 projects and the financial risks involved.
  2. Dixon's vision for Web3 revolves around tokenomics and a future where everyone is an owner and investor, which can lead to increased financial precarity and reliance on speculative investments.
  3. The book highlights Dixon's overconfidence in blockchain technology, lack of detailed understanding of technical aspects, and his past involvement in hyped NFT and play-to-earn ventures, casting doubt on his ability to provide a realistic and innovative vision for the future of the internet.
Venture Curator β€’ 119 implied HN points β€’ 07 May 23
  1. Startup fundraising involves dilution and impacts founder equity, but understanding the process and planning can help founders maintain control of their company while securing needed funding.
  2. Dilution in startup funding happens when new shares are added, reducing existing shareholders' equity positions.
  3. Calculating the impact of dilution can help founders determine their ownership percentage after raising funds.