Business Insider

Business Insider, launched in 2007 by Henry Blodget, the poster child for financial missteps turned media mogul, is the digital equivalent of that friend who’s always at the center of every party, flinging insider gossip with reckless abandon. Initially a scrappy startup with a flair for trading in sensationalism and scoops, it rapidly transformed into a heavy-hitter in the business media space. Defining moments? Just ask about their 2015 acquisition by Axel Springer, which catapulted them from niche player to a global digital juggernaut, despite frequent flak for their attention-grabbing headlines. Valued north of $3 billion in recent years, Business Insider’s awards and accolades are practically as numerous as their listicles. But the glossy veneer is not without its share of scandalous moments—allegations of sensationalist reporting and dubious journalistic practices have peppered their history, keeping them in the media’s spotlight for all the wrong reasons. Key players like Blodget, who transitioned from tech guru to media magnate, still helm the ship, steering through both turbulent and tranquil waters with a mix of bravado and, occasionally, eyebrow-raising controversies.