Well, I must have missed the newsletter or something — but it seems like TechCrunch launched its database of Web2.0 companies about two weeks ago, with an appropriately/cringeworthy “crunch” like moniker: Crunchbase.  And in fact,it may yet be in ’stealth’ as its not officially listed in the TechCrunchNetwork on the TechCrunch home page.

I did notice that they were trying to do a “database” type thing with companies in the recent past.  There was a short tyime where all outbound links to companies were instead pointing to their database, but it was pulling entries right into TechCrunch’s wordpress theme.

Clearly it looks like they’ve spun the whole thing off into its own site / url.  Personally, I think this is the smart thing to do, as each “web2.0″ niche service/blog deserves their own domain, and can be marketed and monetized separately. If you head over to Crunchbase, you’ll notice it serves up a nice little blurb about each company, including who important people are and the kind of funding its required.  But more than that it also serves to collect some information around that company that is presented in the sidebar, such as Techmeme mentions (do I detect using an as-yet-released Techmeme API?), Technorati mentions and so on.  It also allows users to submit their own reviews of different companies.

This latter feature could prove very interesting — or controversial, depending on how Crunchbase takes off.  Haters with a chip on their shoulders could flood some of these reviews with negative comments, which, depending on how popular Crunchbase eventually gets, could prove problematic for some companies.  After all, they are not dealing with a one-off TechCrunch effect, but an ongoing record (much as a database is meant to be) of the company.  Which in turn might lead some to be tempted to astroturf their own comments.  It will be interesting to see how Arrington and co. deal with this if it ever becomes a problem.

Crunchbase looks like an interesting tool both for spectators, punters such as myself, and investors alike.   I have to give props to Mike Arrington for trying to collect information in a “just-the-facts ma’am” type of approach that tries to avoid personal commentary — but does link to other opinions around the web, via Technorati, Techmeme and Del.ici.ous.  I’ve yet to have a real close look at some of the companies that he’s got listed, but so far it looks pretty good and without any glaring inaccuracies.