Yesterday TechCrunch’s former founding editor-at-large, Mike Butcher, confirmed that he was leaving the tech website after 18 years.
He’s the latest in a line of big name writers to leave TechCrunch following its sale to US private equity firm Regent.
Butcher is already plotting his next move but what does his exit and TechCrunch’s retreat from Europe mean for the wider tech sector?
Here’s a selection of what people have said.
TechCrunch is US-focused
Tech journalist and founder of PreSeed Now Martin Bryant said: “I never expected TechCrunch’s new owners to turn it into a mostly US-focused operation.
“The European team always felt too small for the amount of reporting they could do with more resources but they’re all incredible in their own ways.
“Aside from the incredible talent and depth of knowledge TechCrunch has let go, it leaves a massive hole in European tech coverage.
“I’m really interested in what Mike (Butcher) does next, and there’s definitely space more.”
Good journalism is needed more than ever
Spotify’s former director of communications Jim Butcher said: “Heartbreaking to see TechCrunch’s European team laid off at a time when solid journalism covering/supporting Euro startups is needed more than ever.
“TechCrunch’s Euro team was always supportive, firm but fair, in their early Spotify coverage when their US cousins were ripping into us almost daily.”
TechCrunch demise makes startup coverage harder
Josh Donnelly, director of brand partnerships at NewsWhip, said: “TechCrunch Europe has officially shut down, with much of its editorial team departing following the company’s sale to a private equity firm.
“It’s a significant loss for the European tech ecosystem, publishers and comms professionals who relied on the outlet to break stories, build credibility and reach global investors.
“The closure leaves a gap in earned media. With fewer independent publications covering early-stage startups in Europe, securing impactful coverage is becoming more difficult.
“At the same time, there’s a clear shift toward newsletters, podcasts and niche communities as new channels for discovery and storytelling.
“We’re also seeing many experienced tech journalists are now joining brands directly, bringing credibility, voice and editorial skill to in-house content efforts.”
Mike Butcher opened doors
Nadia Genevieve is the founder and CEO of Aris and recalled how Mike Butcher opened doors ‘literally and figuratively’ in the early days of building her company.
“He got me into rooms I had no business being in yet (at the ripe age of 24) and always made me feel welcome,” she said
“From TechCrunch Disrupt in San Francisco and London to Web Summit in Dublin and Lisbon, he’s been a constant in my experience of the startup world over the years.
“He is also incredibly kind; I have watched him be a friend to founders who had achieved hundreds of millions in revenue, and others who hadn’t even launched their product yet – he treated both on equal planes.
“It’s easy to talk about the grind of building, but not enough people talk about the folks who helped them along the way.
“It’s not just the teammates, the investors, and the advisors who make a difference, it’s really anyone who makes it their business to elevate the innovators.”
End of an era
AI expert Tak Lo, CEO of TheTakLo.com, said: “End of an era, but what a great run it was. Thanks Mike Butcher for all the memories and service to the European community.
“Mike and TechCrunch were part of the boom that put Europe on the tech map. Without him and his team the now vibrant European tech scene would not have been nearly the same.
“I don’t know what it means for European tech, much less global tech, for the future. But for now – let’s just toast his accomplishments.”
TechCrunch is in crisis
Chris Owen is executive vice president, UK, at The Hoffman Agency. He said: “WOW. The TechCrunch chaos continues. I’m obviously an outsider and I’m not a PE specialist, but quite why you’d buy a global, highly respected brand then get rid of the incredible brains behind it who made TechCrunch what it is, blows my mind.”
‘Hard to imagine TechCrunch with MB’
Freelance copywriter and content writer Art Anthony said: “I’ve worked at several companies where ‘we need to do something that will get us on TechCrunch. was the benchmark of success.
“More often than not, Mike Butcher was the gateway to pulling that off. (FYI, sometimes we made it, sometimes we didn’t.)
“It’s difficult to imagine TechCrunch without MB, but I guess we’re going to have to.”
Readers will turn to AI alternatives
Brady Forrest is the founder of Ignite Talks and said: “Mike Butcher is a legend. He knows everyone in Europe. Could have had a big ego, but didn’t need one. He is just here to do the work.
“With respect to TechCrunch and tech news generally, I’m a bit worried. Many of your best reporters are focused on their own newsletters or going in-house to write content strategy. Without unique voices, once faithful readers will follow the masses to AI summary pages.”