How to get your startup into Ben's Bites
TL;DR
Ben's Bites is an AI newsletter by Ben Tossell with over 118,000 subscribers, sent on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The free submission board at news.bensbites.com is closed: the old submit page now redirects to the newsletter, and no submission form exists. Today the only bookable way in is paid sponsorship, from $3,500 per slot in 2026 to $75,000 per quarter in 2027, so it suits funded AI startups, while early founders can only hope Ben spots their launch on X.
What is Ben's Bites?
Ben Tossell founded Makerpad, which Zapier acquired in 2021, and started Ben's Bites in 2022. The newsletter runs on Substack under the tagline "What I'm learning building with agents (plus tools worth trying)." Each issue opens with Ben's notes, then a numbered "My feed" list of AI tools, launches and research (12 items on 22 October 2026). Readers are AI builders, founders and people in tech, marketing and finance. A paid community costs $80 a year.
The old Ben's Bites News board at news.bensbites.com had its own submit page. In October 2026 that page returns a permanent redirect (301) to bensbites.com.
Who should submit to Ben's Bites?
Good fit:
- Funded AI startups with a sponsorship budget and a product Ben would use himself.
- AI tool makers who share demos on X, where Ben bookmarks links for the newsletter.
Skip it:
- Pre-revenue founders looking for a free listing: there is no form, queue or tips address.
- Non-AI products: the newsletter covers AI tools, agents and the people building them.
How much does Ben's Bites cost?
Reading the newsletter is free. For sponsors, ads.bensbites.com lists one slot at the end of the main intro: up to 300 characters plus 2 links for $3,500 per slot, with 5% off for 2+ slots, 10% for 3+ and 20% for 4+. That page quotes 150k+ subscribers and a 37% open rate.
From 2027 the model changes. Ben wrote in the 22 October 2026 issue that sponsors move to 4 companies per quarter, a "season". partner.bensbites.com prices Winter 2027 (January to March) at $75,000 and Spring 2027 (April to June) at $100,000 per partner, with 4 spots each. A season includes a mention in 24 newsletter issues, custom artifacts built around your product and a YouTube video. Partners cannot approve what Ben writes.
How do you share your startup on Ben's Bites?
- Read recent issues in the archive to check that your product fits.
- For a 2026 slot, book through ads.bensbites.com. For a 2027 season, email shanice@bensbites.com with the subject "Ben's Bites Seasons", describing what you build and the story you want readers to know.
- Without a budget, post a short demo of your AI tool on X and tag @bentossell. In the 22 October 2026 issue, Ben explains that he groups his X bookmarks for the newsletter, and most feed items link to posts on X.
Tips to get more out of Ben's Bites
- Show the tool working in a 30 to 60 second video. Feed items point to tools and launches readers can open right away.
- Pitch a story for a season: the partner page asks for the story you want readers to know, and Ben says he only approves companies he admires and wants to use.
- Write sponsor copy as a builder. In 300 characters, name the task your tool does and link straight to a free trial.
Our verdict
Ben's Bites reaches a large, engaged AI audience, but the free listing closed and the 2027 seasons cost more than most seed rounds can spare. Treat it as a paid channel for funded AI startups, and for everyone else, as a reason to post good demos on X.
More options: see all tech media, blogs and newsletters. Planning the launch around this listing? The Fe/male Switch startup game walks women founders from idea to first customers.