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Substack Inc.
Substack Inc. is a venture capital firm based in San Francisco, founded 2017; the Altss profile covers its classification, headquarters, registration, AUM...
Substack Inc.
Substack is a media platform for video, writing, podcasts, and creator-centered communities, all powered by subscriptions.
General information
Firm type
Venture Capital Firm
Year founded
2017
Location
Region
North America
Country
United States
City
San Francisco
Corporate office
San Francisco, CA, United States
Principals
Chris Best
CEO & Co-Founder
Hamish McKenzie
Co-Founder
Jairaj Sethi
CTO & Co-Founder
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Who leads Substack's investment decisions?
Chris Best, CEO and co-founder, leads the company's strategic direction. Investment decisions on the venture side are made by its institutional backers, such as Andreessen Horowitz and Y Combinator, rather than by Substack's internal team.
Is Substack a single family office or a venture firm?
Substack is neither a family office nor a venture firm; it is a venture-backed technology company that operates a subscription newsletter platform. Its investors include traditional venture capital firms.
How does Substack generate revenue?
Substack takes a 10% cut of subscription revenue from writers who use its platform. The company also processes payments via Stripe, handling fees for credit card transactions. In 2024, it began testing cryptocurrency payments via Bitcoin's Lightning Network.
What investment stages does Substack target as a platform?
Substack does not make investments; it hosts writers at all stages of their careers, from newcomers to established journalists. The company provides tools for monetization but does not take equity in writers' businesses.
Does Substack participate in direct deals or fund commitments?
No. Substack is an operating company, not an investment firm. It does not deploy capital into external funds or make direct equity investments.
Which sectors does Substack explicitly avoid?
Substack has not publicly stated any sectors it avoids. However, as a platform, it enforces content guidelines that prohibit hate speech, spam, and illegal content across all categories.
How is Substack related to its venture investors?
Substack's venture investors, such as Andreessen Horowitz and Y Combinator, hold equity in the company but have no operational control. The company remains independent and founder-led.
Profile maintained by Altss using OSINT (open-source intelligence), regulatory filings, licensed data partners, and verified direct submissions. Read the methodology. Last updated: . Continuous refresh with full update cycles at least every 30 days.
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