👋 Hi and welcome to the final edition of Venture Radar for 2025.
Over the past year, we’ve shared stories of real internet businesses making real money - breaking down how they work, why they win, and what founders can learn from them.
Today’s edition is a year-end recap.A look back at some of the most read, most saved, and most talked-about editions we published this year.
Before we dive in, a quick thank you.
Venture Radar has grown to 27,500+ readers this year. Founders, operators, and curious builders who read, reply, share feedback, and keep this newsletter alive. We genuinely appreciate the support.
Our team will be taking a short break over the holidays, and we’ll be back in January with fresh research, new ideas, and deeper breakdowns.
One quick note before the recap: We’re now accepting Jan partnerships. If you’re looking to reach 25000+ founders, solopreneurs and builders through Venture Radar, you can fill out the form below and we’ll get in touch.
Now, let’s rewind and revisit the best of 2025 👇
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🥷 RECAP BEST EDITION
An AI social game making $200K/month by simulating online fame
This AI-powered social game is quietly making $200,000 per month by letting users roleplay online fame.
You’re the only real person in a feed full of AI-generated fans, haters, and drama.
It’s part game, part social network — and surprisingly addictive. A great case study in how entertainment and identity can turn into a real business. Read here
Built by two friends, this music app hit $40K/month in just 30 days
What started as a side project between two childhood friends turned into a music app making $40,000 a month within weeks of launch.
Mixy lets anyone create viral mashups in seconds — no skills, no software, just play. It spread fast on TikTok by removing friction and turning creativity into instant dopamine.
A great example of how simple, fun products can scale faster than complex tools. Read here
This female-founded astrology app scaled to $60K/month using TikTok distribution
Built by an astrologer-creator, this app is now generating $60,000 per month by helping Gen Z explore love and compatibility through birth charts.
Instead of swipes or feeds, it offers private, emotionally resonant insights about relationships.
The growth came almost entirely from the founder’s existing TikTok audience. A strong case study in turning belief, identity, and distribution into real revenue. Read here
This 23-year-old built an AI flirting app making $200K/month
What started as a college side project is now pulling in $200,000 per month from subscriptions. The app helps users reply better, flirt smoother, and avoid awkward texting moments using AI.
It went viral through simple screenshot-based TikTok content and solved a very real Gen Z anxiety. A strong example of how tiny emotional pain points can turn into big businesses. Read here
This AI note-taking app for students quietly makes $200K/month
Built specifically for students, this AI study app is now generating $200,000 per month by turning lectures into notes, flashcards, and quizzes.
Instead of competing as a generic productivity tool, it focused on one moment that matters: paying attention in class.
Simple design, strong TikTok distribution, and real student pain drove word-of-mouth growth.
A solid example of how focused execution can win in a crowded AI market. Read here
This “get taller” app quietly makes $70K/month selling hope
On paper, this idea sounds ridiculous, an app that helps you grow taller.
In reality, it’s pulling in $70,000 per month by packaging routines, structure, and belief into a daily habit. It doesn’t sell miracles, it sells progress and that’s enough for thousands of users to pay.
A sharp reminder that emotional pain points can outperform “serious” ideas. Read here
Boring businesses, real money: the most underrated income ideas we covered
This edition was a reminder that you don’t need a flashy startup to make serious money.
From $500K selling Notion templates to $28K/month from a dirt lot and $200K/year fire inspections, these are businesses hiding in plain sight.
Most of them are simple, unsexy, and built by ordinary people executing consistently.
If you’re looking for practical ideas that actually work, this one is worth revisiting. Read here
🗃️ CURATED RESOURCES FOR FOUNDERS
The founder’s guide to building in public (20+ real examples)
A practical playbook for growing your startup by sharing progress publicly. Learn what to share, where to post, how often to show up, and study 20+ real founders doing it right. Includes templates and prompts in a Notion-based pack. (Get Access Here)
Marketing for founders: a practical playbook to get users
A no-fluff guide for founders who want users without ads or agencies.
Covers distribution, outreach, messaging, SEO, and demand testing — all solo-founder friendly. Delivered as a Notion-based resource you can use immediately. (Get Access Here)
🎅 Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Enjoy the break, slow down, and we’ll see you in 2026. 🥳🎆
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This recap proves the old adage: 'The next big thing starts out looking like a toy.' Seeing an AI flirting app or a 'fame simulator' hitting $200K/month confirms that in the AI era, solving for loneliness and status is just as lucrative as solving for productivity. Great year of coverage.