By Titik Puspa 
The European answer to the burgeoning founder-led business talk show phenomenon has arrived, ready to broadcast its insights five days a week starting June 27. The European Technology Network (ETN), a London-based venture spearheaded by Luke Knight and Ronan Chambers, has not only solidified its presence in the media landscape but has also announced a substantial $1.6 million seed funding round, signaling an ambitious expansion designed to amplify European tech narratives. Since its inception last October, ETN has been a live-streaming powerhouse, dissecting tech trends and news twice weekly across X and YouTube, amassing an impressive viewership exceeding 5 million. This recent infusion of capital, sourced from prominent media investors including Powerhouse Capital, Axel Springer SE (the parent company of Business Insider and Politico), a co-founder of the massively popular LadBible, and angel investors from AI giants OpenAI and DeepMind, is poised to transform ETN into a dominant force in European tech media.
The expansion is multifaceted and aggressive. ETN is relocating to a significant new studio in London’s King’s Cross, a district rapidly becoming a nexus for burgeoning AI startups. Concurrently, the team, currently a lean eight individuals, is set for considerable growth. A key component of this expansion is the launch of a dedicated newsletter, promising to deliver curated tech insights directly to subscribers. Most significantly, the broadcast schedule is intensifying from two days to a robust five-day-a-week live show. This increased frequency will soon feature interviews with high-profile figures such as George Robson, a partner at the venture capital powerhouse Sequoia, and Rishi Sunak, the former UK Prime Minister who now serves as a senior advisor to AI leaders Anthropic and Microsoft. This strategic move underscores ETN’s commitment to providing a consistent and comprehensive platform for engaging with the most influential voices in the European technology sector.
Knight and Chambers have already established ETN as a sought-after destination on the European startup press tour. Their studio has hosted a diverse array of influential guests, including the founder of AI video generation platform Synthesia, the CFO of leading AI company Legora, the founder of generative AI company Granola, and Kanishka Narayan, the UK’s first AI Minister. The network’s appeal extends even to American investors visiting the continent, with notable figures from Andreessen Horowitz having appeared on the show. This demonstrates ETN’s growing influence and its ability to attract a global audience interested in the European tech scene.
Ronan Chambers articulated the genesis of ETN, telling TechCrunch, "ETN was born out of a gaping hole in the industry. It’s centered around pace." He elaborated on the current media ecosystem’s struggle to keep pace with the rapid evolution of the tech sector in the UK and across Europe. The sheer velocity of capital flowing into European startups is a testament to this burgeoning dynamism. For instance, London-based startups alone have raised an astounding $14.7 billion this year, according to Dealroom data. Six companies have achieved unicorn status or beyond by raising over $500 million: Wayve, Superintelligence, ElevenLabs, Recursive, Ineffable Intelligence, and Isomorphic Labs. Notably, the latter three were founded by alumni of DeepMind, underscoring the deep talent pool emerging from established AI research hubs.
"These are things that have never happened in Europe before," Chambers emphasized, referring to the unprecedented speed and scale of investment in the European tech ecosystem. As ETN’s popularity surged, the demand for appearances on the show escalated dramatically, with the team receiving approximately 70 pitches from potential guests each week. The challenge of accommodating this influx within a two-day, twice-weekly format, which often involved cramming up to 12 interviews into just two hours, became unsustainable. "We needed an outlet that could move at the pace of that," Chambers explained, referring to both the overwhelming interest in the show and the accelerated pace of Europe’s tech ecosystem itself. This realization directly fueled the decision to transition to a five-day-a-week live show schedule.
The expanded five-day format will largely retain the core elements that have resonated with viewers while incorporating new initiatives. The live show will run daily from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. UK time, dedicated to breaking down trending stories and providing real-time analysis. This will be followed by a two-hour segment featuring guests discussing a wide range of topics, offering flexibility for in-depth conversations. Chambers also revealed plans to introduce debates, roundtables, and a "Shark Tank"-style pitching session, further enhancing the interactive and valuable nature of the platform.
"We want to make it as useful as we can for the ecosystem," Chambers stated. "There needs to be more discourse around AI in Europe. There needs to be more discourse around venture capital and cash flowing into the ecosystem. There needs to be more discourse around the amazing things that are happening in the tech ecosystem, and our role is to be the stage in which people can shout about all the amazing things they’re doing." This vision positions ETN as a central hub for fostering dialogue, celebrating innovation, and driving the collective advancement of the European tech landscape.
The network’s revenue model, similar to many established media publications, relies on advertising and sponsorships. ETN has already secured significant backing from prominent companies, including prediction market Polymarket, blockchain innovator Base, and the acclaimed AI audio company ElevenLabs, demonstrating early market validation and financial viability.
When questioned about the influence of TBPN (The Business Podcast Network), a prominent US-based founder-led business talk show, Knight and Chambers acknowledged its pioneering role. They cited John Coogan and Jordi Hays, TBPN’s founders, as inspirations for this new wave of tech media. TBPN, which recently announced its acquisition by OpenAI for a reported nine-figure sum, became a go-to platform for tech founders to announce product launches, funding rounds, and hiring news in a relaxed, conversational setting. Chambers drew a parallel, stating, "My thinking was, if we can have an ITV and a BBC, why wouldn’t we have a regional version of this?" This sentiment highlights a desire to replicate the success of engaging, founder-centric media within the specific context of Europe.
Europe, a continent of immense diversity with over 40 countries and more than 200 languages, presents a unique media challenge. While ETN is headquartered in London, Knight and Chambers are actively committed to showcasing the breadth of European innovation. They are making concerted efforts to feature guests from across the continent and are frequently present at major tech conferences throughout Europe. Their broadcasting footprint has extended beyond the studio, with broadcasts originating from the Panathenaea Conference in Athens and even from within the iconic Louvre Museum in Paris during the RAISE AI Summit. This commitment to geographical inclusivity ensures that ETN reflects the true diversity of Europe’s technological prowess.
"You have all these different cultures, these different minds coming together and creating different products," Chambers observed, emphasizing the unique collaborative spirit that defines European innovation. "You get a taste of what makes [Europe] a superpower." This perspective underscores the value ETN places on the cross-pollination of ideas and the distinct advantages of a continent-wide technological ecosystem.
Despite their explicit focus on Europe, Knight and Chambers maintain an open-door policy for American founders, recognizing the interconnectedness of the global tech landscape. "It’s a European technology network, but we think there’s massive [global] opportunities," Chambers asserted. Knight further elaborated on this global outlook, noting how conversations often frame European tech in contrast to its US counterpart. "We are globally optimistic," Knight declared. "We are pushing global prosperity from Europe. Wherever you want to go and build your company, wherever is the best place to go and build that company, go and do that, and we will shout for you to go and do that." This inclusive and supportive stance positions ETN as an advocate for global technological advancement, with a particular emphasis on fostering European success stories.
Knight and Chambers also distinguish themselves from traditional journalists, viewing their role as "tech insiders curious about what is going on and why." They do not aim to supplant established media outlets but rather to complement them, working in tandem with traditional publications. "We rely on traditional media," Chambers admitted, highlighting that many of the stories they cover originate from their engagement with existing news sources. This symbiotic relationship allows ETN to leverage established journalistic practices while bringing its unique, insider perspective to the forefront.
Ultimately, the duo’s overarching ambition is to meticulously document the rise of European tech success stories, from ElevenLabs in London to Lovable in Stockholm. Their goal is to inspire the next generation, demonstrating that technology offers a powerful pathway for national advancement and economic growth. Chambers articulated the profound impact of witnessing European success, stating, "It riles up the next generation to the point where it’s no longer cool to finish university and go into banking or consulting. People want to leave university and go straight into building a startup, and I think that’s an amazing thing." This sentiment encapsulates ETN’s mission to foster an entrepreneurial spirit and solidify technology as a key driver of progress in Europe. The expansion to a five-day-a-week schedule, coupled with significant funding and high-profile backing, positions ETN to become an indispensable voice in the rapidly evolving European technology narrative.
