independent-analyst
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Ben Thompson
Ben Thompson is the founder of Stratechery, the subscription newsletter that essentially invented the paid independent newsletter model. Writing from Taiwan for over a decade before returning to the US in 2025, he developed Aggregation Theory - the most influential framework for understanding how internet platforms accumulate power - while building a solo business earning $5M+ annually from 40,000+ paying subscribers. Substack's founders literally used him as their pitch-deck inspiration. He also co-hosts three podcasts, including Dithering with John Gruber, where every episode is exactly 15 minutes by design.
Benedict Evans
Benedict Evans is one of the world's most respected independent technology analysts, best known for his weekly newsletter with ~175,000 subscribers and a remarkable 50% open rate. A Cambridge-educated historian turned tech strategist, he spent six years as a Partner at Andreessen Horowitz before going independent in 2020. His twice-yearly macro presentations - most recently 'AI eats the world' - are required reading for executives at Apple, Google, McKinsey, Goldman Sachs, and hundreds of startups. Currently a Venture Partner at Mosaic Ventures and advisor to Edelman's Global Technology Practice, Evans brings a rare combination of sell-side analyst rigor, media industry experience (Channel 4, NBC Universal), and Silicon Valley insider perspective to bear on the forces reshaping the digital economy.