The U.S. technology-stock bubble that burst around March 2000 was the dot-com bubble.
The bubble grew during the 1990s as investors poured money into internet-related companies. Many firms had ambitious business plans but little revenue or profit, while rising share prices encouraged more speculation. The Nasdaq Composite, heavily associated with technology companies, reached a record closing level on March 10, 2000.
After that peak, technology shares fell sharply. Higher interest-rate expectations, disappointing earnings, and doubts about unsustainable valuations helped reverse the speculative enthusiasm. The downturn damaged many internet companies, while a smaller number of firms with durable business models survived and later became major technology businesses.
The dot-com crash is not the same event as the 2008 financial crisis. The earlier episode centered on technology-stock valuations and venture financing; the later crisis centered heavily on credit, housing, mortgages, and financial institutions.