TechCrunch

TechCrunch

Company type	Subsidiary
Industry	Technology news, Media
Founded	June 2005 (2005-06)
Founder	Archimedes Ventures
Headquarters	San Francisco , United States
Area served	Worldwide
Key people	Michael Reinstein (Chairman and Publisher)
Products	Technology news, TechCrunch Disrupt conference
Parent	Yahoo! Inc. (until 2025), Regent LP (from 2025)

TechCrunch is an American digital publication with a global reach, focusing on news related to technology and startup enterprises. Established in June 2005 by Archimedes Ventures under the leadership of Michael Arrington and Keith Teare, it has grown into a prominent resource for technology sector analysis.

In 2010, AOL purchased TechCrunch for roughly $25 million. Following Verizon's acquisition of AOL and Yahoo! in 2015, TechCrunch became part of Verizon Media until 2021. That year, Verizon divested its media holdings—including AOL, Yahoo!, and TechCrunch—to Apollo Global Management, a private equity firm that merged these assets into the present-day Yahoo! Inc.

In addition to its reporting, TechCrunch is well-known for hosting the annual Disrupt conference, a significant event in the technology calendar held in locations across the United States, Europe, and China.

History

TechCrunch was launched in June 2005 by Archimedes Ventures with partners Michael Arrington and Keith Teare at the helm.

The company was acquired by AOL in 2010 for an estimated $25 million.

By 2013, TechCrunch was publishing content in English as well as Chinese (via partner TechNode) and Japanese. The French edition of TechCrunch was consolidated into the main site in 2012. However, Boundless (formerly Verizon Media Japan), the parent company's Japanese branch, discontinued TechCrunch Japan in May 2022 as part of its broader "global strategy."

After Verizon acquired AOL and Yahoo, TechCrunch operated under Verizon Media from 2015 through 2021.

In August 2020, Chief Operating Officer Ned Desmond departed after eight years to join venture capital firm SOSV as a senior operating partner. His responsibilities were assumed by former editor-in-chief Matthew Panzarino alongside business operations director Joey Hinson.

Verizon sold its media portfolio—including AOL, Yahoo, and TechCrunch—to private equity firm Apollo Global Management in 2021, which then consolidated these entities into a new company known as Yahoo! Inc.

According to SEMRush data from September 2024, TechCrunch attracted approximately 12.12 million visitors monthly.

In March 2025, private equity firm Regent LP acquired TechCrunch from Yahoo! Inc. Shortly thereafter, rumors emerged about the closure of TechCrunch’s European division; however, Chairman and Publisher Michael Reinstein publicly refuted these assertions.

TechCrunch Disrupt

Initiated in New York City in 2010, TechCrunch Disrupt is a yearly technology conference held in various cities across the United States and Europe. It brings together entrepreneurs, investors, and industry experts to present startup pitches, participate in networking sessions, and attend keynote presentations and panel discussions.

Startup Battlefield

The Startup Battlefield competition takes place during TechCrunch Disrupt events and awards cash prizes to promising startups. It has been instrumental in launching notable companies such as Dropbox, Intuit Mint, Yammer, and CrateDB.

Crunchbase

Between 2007 and 2015, TechCrunch managed Crunchbase, an online platform cataloging startups, key executives, funding rounds, and related events. In 2015, Crunchbase separated from TechCrunch to become an independent private company.

Crunchies

From 2007 until 2017, TechCrunch organized the annual Crunchies awards to honor emerging startups and breakthroughs in technology. At the very first ceremony, Facebook was awarded best startup. The Crunchies awards were discontinued by TechCrunch after 2017.

Controversies

During TechCrunch Disrupt 2013, the event encountered significant criticism for showcasing Titstare, a mobile application that enabled users to upload images of men staring at women's chests. The app was broadly denounced for its sexist nature, leading to adverse press coverage and a formal apology from TechCrunch. The company also pledged to implement more rigorous content review procedures for upcoming events.

In 2011, concerns were raised regarding editorial ethics at TechCrunch due to founder Michael Arrington’s financial stakes in companies covered by the publication, sparking conflict of interest allegations. This controversy played a role in Arrington's exit and influenced several journalists, including Paul Carr and Sarah Lacy, to transition to other media outlets specializing in technology investment.

In popular culture

TechCrunch Disrupt was depicted in a 2014 storyline of the HBO series Silicon Valley, where the fictional startup "Pied Piper" participates in the event's startup competition.