The Most Impactful TechCrunch Stories of 2020: A Curated Selection
As an editor who reviewed hundreds of articles in 2020, selecting favorites would be impossible. Instead, I’ve compiled a list of Extra Crunch stories that delivered genuine learning opportunities—revealing gaps in my own knowledge while highlighting emerging tech trends worth watching.
What became clear during this curation process? These topics aren’t fading—we’re doubling down on coverage for no-code software, edtech innovations, proptech advancements, and B2B marketplaces in the coming year.
Why These Stories Matter
While paywalls sometimes draw skepticism, Extra Crunch delivers premium value comparable to Netflix or Disney+. Though we might lack royal dramas or space westerns, our content provides something more valuable for entrepreneurs: actionable intelligence for building companies and commanding meetings.
1. The Most Founder-Friendly VCs According to Data
Image Credits: Bryce Durbin/TechCrunch
Managing Editor Danny Crichton pioneered The TechCrunch List—a paywall-free resource connecting seed-stage founders with 400+ VCs across 22 verticals. His data analysis spotlighted 11 investors receiving exceptional founder praise.
2. The API Startup Boom: Why Developers Are Winning
Image Credits: Juana Mari Moya/Getty Images (Modified)
Alex Wilhelm’s analysis revealed six API startups securing rapid funding during COVID-19’s uncertainty. The key insight? Optimal pricing structures make or break early SaaS success.
3. & 4. The No-Code Revolution Reshaping Software
Image Credits: Richard Drury/Getty Images
Two July features explored how no-code/low-code platforms are democratizing development:
- Enterprise spending on custom software will double from \(250B (2015) to \)500B (2020)
- Tools like Zapier demonstrate the power of automation for non-technical users
How no-code defines next-gen software Tracking the low-code/no-code explosion
5. Edtech’s Pandemic-Driven Transformation
Image Credits: PM Images/Getty Images
Natasha Mascarenhas became TechCrunch’s edtech authority during COVID-19. Her investor roundtable with leaders from Owl Ventures, Reach Capital, and others revealed why digital education is now essential.
6. B2B Marketplaces: The Next E-Commerce Giants
Image Credits: Kmatta/Getty Images
Projections show B2B marketplace sales growing from \(680B (2018) to \)3.6T by 2024. These platforms are evolving beyond transactions—adding payments, advertising, and logistics infrastructure.
7. PR Secrets From Facebook’s Former Comms Chief
Image Credits: Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group
Caryn Marooney’s TechCrunch Early Stage talk offered blunt truth: “Nobody cares about your startup.” Her advice? Master simplicity and consistency in messaging.
8. Beyond MVP: Building a Minimum Viable Company
Image Credits: alvarez/Getty Images
VC Ann Miura-Ko (Floodgate) argued product-market fit requires balancing business models, value propositions, and ecosystems—with lessons from Lyft and Twitch.
9. 6 Pandemic-Proof Investment Trends
Image Credits: Jens Kalaene/picture alliance via Getty Images
April 2020 predictions that proved prescient:
- Future of work tools
- Telemedicine advancements
- Supply chain robotics
- Cybersecurity solutions
- Edtech evolution
- Fintech innovation
10. Construction Tech’s $1.3T Disruption
Image Credits: Steve Proehl/Getty Images
With construction firms spending % on IT, startups solving fragmentation, labor shortages, and data opacity are transforming this massive industry.
Bonus: A Black Founder’s Silicon Valley Reality
Image Credits: PM Images/Getty Images
Kevin Henderson’s powerful op-ed revealed systemic barriers: “Black founders have better odds playing pro sports than landing VC.”
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