Five Super Successful Tech Pivots

Steve O’Hear was best known as a technology journalist at TechCrunch, where he focused on European startups, companies and products.

He first joined TechCrunch in November 2009 as a contributing editor for TechCrunch Europe, where he worked alongside longtime TC veteran Mike Butcher to help build TechCrunch’s coverage in Europe.

In June 2011, Steve took a break from journalism to co-found the London and Prague-based startup Beepl. In his role as CEO, he helped the company raise its first VC round; in November 2012, Beepl was acquired by Brand Embassy.

Steve left TC in 2021, joining a startup before launching his own thriving public relations shop soon after. Steve passed away in 2024 after a brief illness.

Natasha was a senior reporter for TechCrunch, from September 2012 to April 2025, based in Europe. She joined TC after a stint reviewing smartphones for CNET UK and, prior to that, more than five years covering business technology for silicon.com (now folded into TechRepublic), where she focused on mobile and wireless, telecoms & networking, and IT skills issues. She has also freelanced for organisations including The Guardian and the BBC. Natasha holds a First Class degree in English from Cambridge University, and an MA in journalism from Goldsmiths College, University of London.