When you are introduced to new Web products and businesses every day, as we are here at TechCrunch, it is difficult not to get the startup itch. Mark Hendrickson, who has been with TechCrunch as a writer and Web developer for nearly two years, has decided to scratch that itch and build his own Web service. It doesn’t have a name yet, but it will combine location with social discovery, will have “lots of maps,” and will work with Facebook Connect. It will be a while before he is ready to launch it, but if you are curious you can sign up for the waiting list to receive an invite. Or you can follow him on Twitter.
Mark has been a key member of TechCrunch, and he will be sorely missed. Most of our readers know him primarily as one of our more analytical writers. His first post was a side-by-side comparison of different DIY social networks, he’s been a key chronicler of changes at Facebook, and helped us realize that Hulu doesn’t suck.
But beyond writing great posts, Mark is one of the people who has kept TechCrunch humming behind the scenes. Michael and I kept trying to get him to write—and we squeezed 569 posts out of him—but really all Mark wanted to do was Web development. From TechCrunch to CrunchBase to Elevator Pitches, Mark’s hand has touched practically every Web property we operate.
Mark recently redesigned not only the TechCrunch site, but all of the other blogs in the network as well. He made our site search one of the first to be powered by Yahoo Boss. Then he added Facebook Connect as a sign-in option for comments. He also just finished up FriendFeed integration in comments (whenever someone says something about a TechCrunch post on FriendFeed, it becomes a comment under the post, which I guess we never announced until now).
As if he didn’t have enough to do, whenever Michael or I needed some fast research, a poignant image, or an instant post when news was breaking, Mark was always ready at his laptop to do whatever was necessary. In fact, Mark’s calm under pressure has already earned him a place in the Web’s pop culture. For some reason, Loren Feldman of 1938Media is obsessed with him. (And I don’t think it is because of Mark’s dancing skills). Many of Feldman’s videos about TechCrunch (see example below) routinely feature a Michael Arrington puppet screaming off-camera: “Hendrickson! You’d better get that post up!” Mark, we are gonna miss you.
Update: Mark lays out his initial thinking about his startup here in a new blog post.
mark, your post on side-by-side comparison of different DIY social networks was really awesome! Def. helped me with my work back then. Good luck with your new venture
Sad to see him go. But al the best with the new venture. I look forward to see what he is working on.
I second that. I have always admired his posts which seemed to be informed with a much deeper understanding of the underlying technological issues than 99% of the posts floating around in the blogosphere. The Techcrunch BOSS search engine is extremely very well integrated, and I too am looking forward to his next venture.
Cream does always rise to the top.
Good luck Mark!
From India
Anjali Sen
He definitely has edge since he’s well connected with Techcrunch. Smart man, paid his dues and now ready to roll.
Very impressed with the range of talent. Who would have thought all the design was done in-house?
Best of luck!
Mark – I’m sad you’re leaving TC, but extremely excited to see what you come up with next. All the best
I second that!
Good luck!
The best Hendrickson video…
http://www.meta...arrington_show/
Good luck, Mark.
Great post ES… and good luck in the future Mark, I’ll miss your posts.
Best of luck, man!
Good luck in the future, Mark!
It was great working with you over the big pond.
Too bad, Mark was one of my favorite authors. I always looked for his posts.
Congrats and good luck! You are one of the most insightful people out there, and I’m sure you know exactly where you’re heading and how to get there. Look out, world!
Mark, thanks for all the advice and helping me get on my feet over here. I’ll always be your Padawan.
May The Force be with you on your next project. Let us know when it launches, but remember we don’t really do embargoes.
Congratulations Mark. Best wishes and thanks for taking the time to review our software in the past. I’m eager to hear about your new endeavor.
Mark–thanks for helping my ass out so many times!
Can’t wait to see what you have cookin’
Mark really did some amazing things at TechCrunch. Not only managing the multi-headed hydra of a multi-blog network, but a great writer to boot.
wow i wish him the best . a good writer and through his various pieces i could tell he had a technical background
farewell mark!
I actually read your posts Mark. Looking forward to testing your new project. Congratulations on everything.
Good luck Mark
Everytime when I see his name and even now when I start reading this post I remember that video with shouting Hendrickson !! Hendrickson !!
Actually I prefer the other one where Mike didnt sleep for weeks
That was so funny
but, btw, this is first time I saw him on picture. What are you doing with geeks and nerds? You should be in Hollywood making movies
Mark Welcome to the club of the ex-TC. lots of luck for your next project!
Good Luck dude, wish you great success !!!
Congrats!
now that your endensured servantry is over let the wounds heal and come back stronger than ever.
Best of Skill
Best of luck with the new endeavors, buddy, and thanks again for showing me around in Silicon Valley when was in town for the Crunchies.
Send the news about the launch of your new web service to me first, I promise to stick to the embargo *evil grin*
congrats mark & best of luck with the new venture! hope to still see you at Startup2Startup too
Mark-
Congratulations and best of luck. I left my job 5 weeks ago to start my business. Some people view the current economic climate as hostile to startups, but if you don’t need to raise a bunch of capital, don’t rely on a large company buying you and have a good idea, I’d say now is the ideal time to launch a venture.
Good luck.
Karl
Good luck man, and if you’re interested in the area of location with social discovery just drop me an email and I can point you out to web resources (publications & open source software) that might help your venture. I am no expert, but I have seen various research publications in this domain.
Great to finally meet you last week and best of luck with your new adventures. Seems like a perfect time to get out of SV and give lalaland a try. Happy to introduce you to a hot girl or API of your liking.
Good luck Mark! Thanks for all your help and advice. Keep in touch.
Sounds like he’s trying to launch a product similar to connectmap.com
Tell me this isn’t happening.
Mark,
Awesome to hear you are venturing into the world of being an entrepreneur!
I wish you luck, definitely going to miss your writing.
Best,
Michael
Mark, you will be sorely missed. I for one always appreciated how responsive you were and I know that carried through to the TC staff. Can’t wait to see the new site!
Best of luck!
Christian Anderson
Mark–I think you remember that one particular chat my first week in the office. That re-framed the rest of my TechCrunch internship… Thx!
Best of luck with the next venture…
Key member quits? Anyone smell trouble in TC or Sell out?
Normally this is what happens as techcrunch told us when key executives/members left in other companies… Any clues?
Best of Luck Mark…
Saran
Ooh, sad stuff. You’ll be missed, man. But best wishes in the new project.
Hope working @ TC wasn’t as bad as in the video!
Seriously, you contributed a lot — as a daily reader, thanks for the articles, for the great new site design, and for everything else it sounds like you did behind the scenes.
Don’t go! Well said Christian (Hans… ?). Good luck Mark. Would be glad to beta test (or design) on the new project. We look forward to seeing it.
Mark, I’ve enjoyed all your posts. Thanks for keeping me informed over the years. I wish you all the best on your new gig.
Mark,
You did great things for Mike & TechCrunch. I can’t wait to see what you have coming up, I know it’ll be awesome!
>> Most of our readers know him primarily as one of our more analytical writers
It would be great to have more articles by people with a technical background. It’s disappointing that Mark is leaving, but great that he’s decided to pursue his own thing.
Mark, was the best guy to work with: professional, honest, smart and without ego. Will be missed for sure. (feel free to plug that into your LinkedIn profile recommendations, Mark. I can do one for you too, Arrington). Good luck man.
mark — congrats and best of luck with the new gig!
Good luck Mark! I’m really looking forward to seeing what you’re working on!
Mark,Thank you for all your help.
Good luck!
TechCrunch Japan
Takeshi
Marc, all the best from the evil side of social-networking – hope you make it!
Yours,
Dr. Evil @ Hatebook.org
Congratulations Mark. I wish you best of luck with the next venture.
Mark- thanks for everything! Congratulations and best of luck in your new endeavors!
Thanks Erick and everyone in the comments for the kind words and support.
I had an amazing run at TechCrunch; it was really the perfect way to get my feet wet in the tech industry. Now I’ll have to take all of the healthy pressure generated by this post and deliver something special with my startup.
Keep wishing me luck!