The creator of Growth Unhinged, a startup growth playbook newsletter launched in 2021, announces that starting in 2025, they're leaving their role as a VC operating partner to go full-time as a solopreneur. Alongside the newsletter, new plans are revealed including a podcast, deeper research, and richer premium content.
1. The Origin and Growth of 'Growth Unhinged'
Growth Unhinged is a weekly newsletter launched in March 2021 that digs into the unique growth strategies behind fast-growing startups. It has surpassed 78,000 subscribers and records 4 million annual views, establishing itself as a trusted resource.
The creator had been running this project as a side hustle alongside their day job as a Venture Capital operating partner. They share this candidly:
"For the past four and a half years, this newsletter has been a side project. I ran it in the margins while working my day job as a VC operating partner."
2. The Full-Time Solopreneur Declaration
Now the creator has stepped away from their day job to go full-time as a solopreneur. The most notable change is the ability to focus entirely on this project, regardless of location.
"I'm now a full-time solopreneur!"
"The beauty of solopreneurship is you can work from anywhere :-)"
Key changes announced:
- The newsletter will get even better — promising more original research, practical tips, and higher-quality content.
- The weekly publishing schedule continues, and it remains free.
- A new podcast, 'Mostly Growth,' is launching. Co-hosted with CFO CJ Gustafson, the podcast will share diverse startup growth stories, real cases, and industry episodes.
- Premium subscriptions offer deeper archives and resources — including 185+ newsletter archives, vetted vendor recommendations, an AI prompt library, and more.
3. Growth Unhinged's Goals and Direction
Drawing on 15 years of experience helping software startups grow and monetize, the creator emphasizes that GTM (Go-To-Market) playbooks are changing in real time. They also point out the stark reality that reliable, objective data and practical advice are woefully scarce.
"Go-to-market playbooks are changing in real time. But there's almost no actionable data or resources about those changes. Growth Unhinged exists to fill that need."
The vision is to become "a modern Gartner or Forrester for B2B startups" — specifically by delivering new benchmarks, original research, in-depth case studies, and practical field guides.
4. Upcoming Plans and Content
Major projects and topics being prepared for Q4 2025 were also revealed:
- 2025 GTM State of the Market Report (with GTM Strategist Maja Voje)
- How to Get Recommended by ChatGPT — practical tips
- 2025 SaaS Benchmark Report (co-produced with High Alpha)
- Diagnosing and Fixing Flawed Pricing Strategies
- Finding Your Ideal Target Customer with AI
The newsletter's value is strongest when research, community, and real-world application come together.
"This newsletter is at its best when research, community input, and field application all align."
The creator plans to spend half their time on research and writing, and the other half directly collaborating with startups and growth-stage companies. Key topics include pricing, AI adoption, GTM strategy, funnel optimization, and Product-Led Growth.
5. The Birth of the New Podcast: 'Mostly Growth'
The creator shares that they'd listened to many podcasts but found it hard to find a business podcast that combined insight and entertainment.
"It was really hard to find a business podcast that was truly informative and fun. Most just featured the same guests telling the same stories."
The newly launched 'Mostly Growth' podcast delivers "honest debates, unique industry stories, and sometimes embarrassingly candid failure stories." The creator, CJ Gustafson, and producer Ben Hillman dive deep into startup stories.
- Listen on Apple Podcasts
- Watch on YouTube
- Listen on Spotify
"Your support means everything to us. Subscribe to 'Mostly Growth' on your podcast app and give us a listen — it helps us get recognized by the algorithm!"
6. Benefits for Premium Subscribers
Growth Unhinged will continue to provide the weekly newsletter free to all readers. However, premium subscribers receive special benefits:
- Unlimited access to 185+ newsletter archives
- AI prompt library for GTM
- Vetted vendor recommendations
- Quarterly deep-dive research (e.g., B2B monetization)
- Various infographics and visual resources
- Public presentation materials
"This leap was only possible because you opened our emails, recommended us to colleagues, and shared your experiences directly."
In Closing
From a small side project in 2021 to a full-time solopreneur venture in 2025, Growth Unhinged aims to become a core companion in the B2B startup support ecosystem, armed with deeper and broader content, a new podcast, and premium resources. The creator asks readers for active feedback and support, rallying everyone to build "even more unhinged growth" together.
"This change was entirely possible thanks to your participation. Now let's go build even more unhinged growth together!"