Life after 16 years at TechCrunch

TechCrunch laid me off on Monday, and I couldn't be more thrilled. I'm so excited to leave my house and work with companies in Michigan. I'm staying here. Michigan has the best people on the planet, and I'd love to be a crucial part of its growth into a world-class startup ecosystem.

Over 16 years, I unlocked all the achievements at TechCrunch: I interviewed billionaires and world leaders, traveled the world, hosted shows, coached thousands of startups, and covered gadgets, automotive, and the cannabis industries. Ever go to a restaurant and order everything on the menu? Thanks to TechCrunch, I've done that more than I can remember.

But the best part was the people. I made lifelong friends, friends who are now reaching out for support and encouragement. I watched people's kids grow from babies to adults. People left TechCrunch, but most returned (I don't think I'm allowed to return). TechCrunch's secret sauce was the culture.

TechCrunch was my dream job, and I'm thankful I was there for so long.

Now it's time for something new.

Covid broke me. Before Covid, I was traveling around the world every month. I was seeing everything and talking to everyone, and suddenly, it stopped. TechCrunch shifted focus, and I could never fully wrap my head around never seeing people in person again. TechCrunch went from a dozen events (which I helped produce and manage) to two.

I did everything at TechCrunch and am thrilled to bring my skill set to a new organization.

Since 2013, I developed and executed a multi-day editorial plan for TechCrunch's Disrupt conferences. In 2013, that meant managing 12 editorial staffers for one stage. In 2023, I had to account for 60 editorial staffers covering and moderating interviews on six stages for three days. Between 2013 and 2019, TechCrunch hosted three shows a year, and I was in charge of the editorial plans for each. I loved it, and I'm going to miss doing future shows.

I hosted Startup Battlefield for the last three years, where I was on stage in front of the Disrupt audience, moving the show along and telling dad jokes. In the weeks before the show, I helped the tiny Battlefield team develop an editorial plan and coach the startups on their pitches and business plans.

TechCrunch largely underfunded and squandered Startup Battlefield. It was siloed internally, and the amazing Neesha Tambe kept it alive with sheer determination.

Here's what TechCrunch needs to do to take the Startup Battlefield to the next level (something I fear won't happen now that TC reports to Yahoo Finance).

1. Put Startup Battlefield on TikTok/Insta. Past shows have fantastic content; founders will find the clips relevant and evergreen. And this will help dramatically with marketing the program -- something it desperately needs after 14 years of the same format.
2. Increase the prize money from $100k to $500k, and runners-up should get something. We used to give them a case of beer, but I put an end to that. Don't give people alcohol as a prize.
3. Make it a regional show: Have a Startup Battlefield EU, Startup Battlefield MENA, etc. TechCrunch asks too much of these founders to fly to SF and stay in town for a week. They're early stage! Bring the show to them!

Years ago, TechCrunch hosted a startup competition at CES called Hardware Battlefield. I was instrumental in producing this program, including sourcing judges, finding startups, and developing a production plan to broadcast the competition live.

Until 2019, I regularly covered the news beat of gadgets and mobility, sourcing and producing thousands of articles on TechCrunch. Starting in 2019, I shifted focus to the cannabis industry until my internal role shifted in 2021.

In 2021, I took over TechCrunch Live, our weekly live webinar show, where I hosted conversations between founders and early investors to talk about their fundraising, growth, and troubles. In the show's second half, I hosted a pitch feedback session where companies pitched their company to the guests and received feedback. It was terrific, and I always wanted to produce a show of just the Pitch Feedback section.

Just a few months back, I was assigned to manage TechCrunch's guest publishing platform. This was a great opportunity, and I found it fulfilling as I managed the inbound and outbound, along with the internal editorial pipeline. I quickly increased the quality of the articles, which resulted in a significant increase in subscribers to TechCrunch's subscription service. All the metrics said I was doing a fantastic job, and I heard nothing but high praise from leadership.

Just two weeks ago, Yahoo (who owns TC) presented a data deck showing that TC+ was Yahoo's best-performing subscription product. I was told guest posts were a big reason why TC+ was working.

I was doing some of my best work! And then they let me go.

But it's okay.

I'm looking for advice and feedback at this point. I have much to offer an organization or firm, and I have the luxury of being a bit picky. I'm looking for a mission-driven company dedicated to helping founders succeed -- and in Michigan.

I've lived in Michigan my whole life and don't plan on leaving. This is home; thankfully, Michigan is filled with extraordinary, hardworking people. I love it here.

Happy to chat.