information on startups, key people, funds, funding rounds, and events. In 2015, Crunchbase spun out of TechCrunch to become a private entity, and is no longer a part of TechCrunch. Crunchies From 2007 to 2017, TechCrunch sponsored the annual Crunchies award ceremony to award startups, internet and technology innovations. At the first award ceremony in 2007, Facebook won the award for best startup. Due to controversy surrounding the awards' hosts, TechCrunch announced in 2017 that it would end the Crunchies. Controversies The company was criticized for allowing developers to present the Titstare application, created by participants in a hackathon at TechCrunch Disrupt 2013. The application allows users to "stare at tits". In 2011, the site's editors and writers were criticized for possible ethics violations. These included claims that Arrington's investments in certain firms which the site had covered created a conflict of interest. The controversy that ensued eventually led to Arrington's departure, and other writers, including Paul Carr and Sarah Lacy, followed suit. References External links Yahoo! Online publishing companies of the United States Internet properties established in 2005 Technology blogs Technology conferences American technology news websites Webby Award winners Web-related conferences 2005 establishments in the United States 2010 mergers and acquisitions