Best of TechCrunch 2021
A Year of Disruption: Reflecting on TechCrunch's Top Stories of 2021
2021 arrived following a year defined by the unprecedented global disruption of the 2020 pandemic.
However, it quickly became apparent that further unexpected developments were on the horizon.
Navigating a Shifting Landscape
As society began adapting to a “new normal,” significant challenges to existing frameworks emerged.
These challenges were fueled by rapid advancements in areas like cryptocurrency, web3, and the metaverse, among others.
Identifying Key Trends
Reviewing the most successful articles published throughout the year revealed several noteworthy patterns.
While some high-performing pieces covered anticipated events, such as new product releases and significant service interruptions – notably those experienced by Facebook – others offered in-depth analyses and insightful interviews across various industry segments.
Curating a Top 10 List
The process of selecting a definitive top 10 proved surprisingly difficult given the breadth of compelling content.
Rather than simply presenting a list based on performance metrics, TechCrunch staff were invited to vote for their preferred articles of the year.
A Well-Rounded Selection
This staff-selected list was then supplemented with enduring, evergreen content and our most popular TC+ articles.
The result is a comprehensive overview of the key themes and stories that defined 2021.
We hope you enjoy this curated collection!
Top Stories of the Year
1. Air Conditioning: A 20th-Century Marvel with 21st-Century Consequences
A seemingly casual Twitter Spaces discussion, initially attracting around 180 participants, unexpectedly became one of TechCrunch’s most-read articles in 2021. Danny’s book reviews resonated with audiences throughout the year, but it was the exploration of modern air conditioning that truly captivated readers – as evidenced by the extensive comment section. Danny’s conversation with Eric Dean Wilson, centered on Wilson’s book “After Cooling: On Freon, Global Warming, and the Terrible Cost of Comfort,” delved into the history of A/C and the potentially harmful effects of readily available cool, purified indoor air.
2. OnlyFans and Crypto: A Potential Partnership Forged in Controversy
The announcement from OnlyFans regarding a ban on “sexually explicit content” in August sparked widespread debate on Twitter. The decision, made to appease investors and banking partners, left many creators feeling abandoned and raised questions about the platform’s future viability. While the ban was later reversed, the tech community quickly identified a potential solution to the regulatory challenges facing the adult entertainment industry: cryptocurrency. This real-world application provides a clear understanding of the rationale behind the growing interest in cryptocurrencies, and Lucas analyzes both the opportunities and obstacles that lie ahead for this pairing.
3. Elon Musk’s ‘Not a Flamethrower’: A Case of Misleading Marketing
This story embodies the often-unconventional nature of 2021 headlines. Tesla’s CEO frequently generates attention through unusual actions and statements, but this particular instance involved genuine safety concerns. Musk sold a limited quantity of flamethrowers in 2017 to raise funds and awareness for The Boring Company, founded in 2016. Recognizing legal restrictions on flamethrowers in various countries, Musk cleverly labeled the product “Not a Flamethrower.” However, this proved insufficient, as TechCrunch contributor Mark Harris reports on an American citizen’s imprisonment in Italy for possessing the device.
4. Medium’s Employee Exodus Following a CEO’s ‘Culture Memo’
The past year has witnessed significant upheaval within the corporate world. Employees are increasingly vocal about issues such as work-life balance, income inequality, and company culture, and are also taking positions on social and political matters. Natasha interviewed both former and current Medium employees after CEO Ev Williams published a “culture memo” that resulted in a tripling of employee turnover. Natasha’s investigation revealed a “history of problematic issues at Medium,” with the memo serving as a catalyst for a pre-existing wave of departures, mirroring similar situations at companies like Coinbase and Basecamp.
5. TikTok’s Biometric Data Collection: Privacy Concerns Emerge
TikTok experienced a surge in popularity during the 2020 pandemic, becoming a go-to platform for viral videos, dances, and trends. However, as social media usage grows, so does awareness of data collection practices and concerns regarding privacy rights. In June, TikTok updated its privacy policy to permit the collection of biometric data, including faceprints and voiceprints. While seemingly consistent with other social networks, Sarah explains why this change is alarming, detailing TikTok’s history with the U.S. government, past biometric privacy lawsuits, and the problematic rollout of the updated policy. This article serves as a valuable resource for understanding the ongoing data privacy challenges faced by social media users.
Top Evergreen Content from 2021
As 2021 draws to a close, we’ve reviewed the content published this year to identify pieces that will remain valuable resources for learning in the future. NFTs continue to be a significant topic, alongside evolving privacy regulations, the cognitive impact of Zoom, and insights into growth marketing from Cam Sinclair, director of the Perth-based agency, Ammo.
1. Understanding the Rise of NFTs
The world of NFTs has experienced substantial growth throughout the past year. In February 2021, Cooper Turley noted that the total value of crypto art had surpassed $100 million, representing just one facet of the expanding NFT ecosystem. Currently, in December 2021, that value has exceeded $2 billion. This article serves as an excellent introduction for those seeking to learn more about NFTs.
2. Assessing Potential Pegasus Spyware Targeting
Concerns regarding potential targeting by NSO’s Pegasus spyware are understandable. A leaked list containing approximately 50,000 phone numbers potentially targeted for surveillance was obtained by Forbidden Stories and Amnesty International, and subsequently shared with various news organizations, including The Washington Post and The Guardian. Zack explores the methods of Pegasus delivery and provides guidance on identifying potential targeting.
3. New York City’s Biometric Privacy Law
A new biometric privacy law went into effect in New York City in July 2021. Zack reported on this legislation, which places limitations on how businesses can utilize the biometric data they collect. The law aims to enhance protections for New Yorkers and visitors regarding their biometric data, while also discouraging the use of potentially discriminatory and unreliable technologies.
4. The Cognitive Effects of Zoom Usage
Given the prevalence of remote work and video conferencing, Devin Coldewey’s analysis of a Microsoft study on the impact of Zoom on brain activity is particularly relevant. The study revealed that participants exhibited increased levels of beta waves – associated with stress, anxiety, and concentration – during extended meetings without breaks. Scheduling breaks during meetings is a beneficial practice for 2022 and beyond.
5. Growth Marketing Strategies from Ammo
TechCrunch Experts launched this year with a focus on growth marketing. Anna Heim interviewed Cam Sinclair, director of Ammo, a growth marketing agency, to discuss the readiness of companies for growth marketing initiatives, common branding pitfalls, and more. Sinclair emphasized that Ammo prioritizes outcomes over time, defining success metrics collaboratively with each client, recognizing the unique needs of every project.
TC+ Favorites
1. The shift from subscription pricing to usage-based models is gaining momentum among successful SaaS businesses.
Kyle Poyar, a partner at OpenView, explored the rise of usage-based pricing in an article published in January 2021. Poyar posits that this approach will become crucial for effective monetization going forward.
The article details four key strategies for companies adopting this model. Selecting the appropriate usage metric is highlighted as a particularly important consideration.
2. An analysis of Nubank’s IPO filing reveals insights into the financial dynamics of neobanks.
Alex and Natasha examined Nubank’s IPO filing in November, concentrating on the economic factors driving neobanking and the company’s overall financial standing.
For a more comprehensive understanding of Nubank, readers can refer to the TC-1 article authored by Marcella McCarthy and Danny Crichton.
3. The continued employment of former Better.com CEO Vishal Garg sparked considerable debate.
Mary Ann Azevedo was particularly active in December, covering developments at Better.com, including the company’s decision to reduce its workforce by 9%.
Despite a series of controversial events, including this one, Azevedo and Alex Wilhelm expressed surprise that Garg had not been removed from his position.
Initial speculation suggested super-voting shares might protect his role, but investigation of the S-4 filing with Aurora Acquisition Corp. revealed this was inaccurate.
4. SaaS companies face unique challenges when pricing and delivering professional services.
Roger Hurwitz, a founding partner at Volition Capital, discussed strategies for charging for professional services and how these differ from standard SaaS pricing models.
The article presents a comparative analysis of the three-year impact of two distinct pricing strategies.
5. Founders frequently make critical errors in their pitch deck presentations.
Jose Cayasso, co-founder and CEO of Slidebean, reviews between 250 and 300 investor decks each month.
He leverages this experience to identify essential elements of a compelling pitch deck. Cayasso emphasizes the importance of a go-to-market slide, specifying its optimal placement and providing an illustrative example within the full article.
