Is TechCrunch Owned by Yahoo?

Ah, the tangled web we weave in the internet age. You might be surprised to find that, yes, the scrappy, startup-focused TechCrunch is indeed nestled under the expansive wing of the Yahoo family of brands. It’s a bit like finding out that your favorite indie coffee shop is actually owned by Starbucks - it takes a minute to process.

But fear not, dear reader, TechCrunch hasn’t traded its edgy startup reporting for endless slideshows of celebrity homes. It’s still the go-to source for all things tech, venture capital, and entrepreneurial adventures. So how did this unlikely pairing come to be? Let’s delve into the fascinating history of these digital behemoths.

A Tale of Two Tech Giants

• TechCrunch: Founded in 2005 by Michael Arrington, TechCrunch quickly became the bible for the burgeoning startup scene. Its no-holds-barred reporting, sharp analysis, and legendary Disrupt conferences cemented its status as a leading voice in the tech world.

• Yahoo: Once a pioneering force in the early days of the internet, Yahoo’s trajectory has been, shall we say, more…eventful. Remember GeoCities? Yahoo Mail? Those were the days. But a series of missed opportunities and strategic blunders led to a decline in Yahoo’s dominance.

Fun Fact: The name “Yahoo” stands for “Yet Another Hierarchical Officious Oracle.” Catchy, right?

The Verizon Era & The Birth of a Media Empire

In 2017, Verizon, the telecommunications giant, swooped in and acquired both Yahoo and AOL, creating a new media division called Oath. TechCrunch, which was already under AOL’s umbrella, became part of this sprawling digital empire. The logic? Verizon envisioned Oath as a formidable competitor to Google and Facebook in the digital advertising arena.

From Oath to Verizon Media to…Yahoo Again?

Oath went through a bit of an identity crisis, eventually rebranding as Verizon Media. But the story doesn’t end there. In 2021, Verizon sold its media assets, including Yahoo, AOL, and yes, TechCrunch, to private equity firm Apollo Global Management. And in a twist that felt both nostalgic and somewhat perplexing, the entire group was rebranded yet again - back to Yahoo.

So, What Does This Mean for TechCrunch?

For now, it seems to be business as usual for TechCrunch. It continues to publish its signature blend of news, analysis, and reviews, seemingly unaffected by the corporate machinations swirling above it.

This whole saga is a testament to the ever-shifting sands of the tech landscape. Companies are bought, sold, rebranded, and merged with a dizzying frequency. But amid all the chaos, one thing remains constant: the insatiable appetite for insightful tech reporting. And that’s where TechCrunch continues to shine, regardless of who happens to be signing its paychecks.