What was the name of the 2000–2002 market collapse centered on technology shares?

The 2000–2002 market collapse centered on technology shares was the dot-com bubble burst.

During the late 1990s, investors poured money into internet and technology companies, often valuing firms on expected future growth rather than profits or established business models. The Nasdaq Composite became the most visible measure of this enthusiasm because it contained many technology-heavy companies. Venture funding and initial public offerings expanded rapidly as businesses adopted internet-related names and strategies.

The bubble reached its high point in March 2000. As investors began demanding clearer earnings and sustainable business plans, many internet companies failed to meet expectations. Share prices collapsed, technology firms cut jobs or went bankrupt, and investment in the sector fell sharply. The Nasdaq eventually lost roughly 78% from its peak to its October 2002 low.

The crash did not mean that the internet lacked economic value. Companies such as Amazon and eBay survived and later grew substantially. The common mistake is to treat the collapse as proof that online commerce was a failure; it was primarily a repricing of speculative valuations.