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Eleanor Warnock

Eleanor Warnock

Journalist, novelist, and communications expert exploring AI and creativity

eleanor
London
Joined February 2026
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Summary

Eleanor Warnock is a journalist and communications expert with over a decade of experience across three continents. She began her career as a correspondent for The Wall Street Journal in Tokyo, covering Japanese finance and economics, including feature stories on macroeconomic trends and even Japan's butter shortage. Her ability to cover such diverse topics demonstrates her versatility and depth as a reporter. wsj+2
With an MBA from INSEAD, Eleanor transitioned into venture capital and tech communications, serving as Communications Manager at Atomico, a leading VC firm. In this role, she focused on raising the profile of portfolio companies internationally. She later advanced to Deputy Editor at Sifted, an FT-backed publication covering European tech and startups, showcasing her expertise in both journalism and the venture ecosystem. eleanot+3
Eleanor is also an accomplished novelist and essayist, having published her first novel and actively working on a second. She explores the intersection of AI, writing, and creativity through her personal Substack, "Chief Word Officer," where she shares insights on AI's impact, biases, and practical tips for writers using AI tools, advocating for critical engagement and human agency. eleanot+3
Currently, Eleanor serves as Advisor and Interim Head of Communications at Bek Ventures, a venture firm focused on building on its legacy (formerly Digital East Fund). Her work involves advising startups on storytelling and communications, driven by a curiosity about venture finance's influence on company creation. bekventures+3
Her diverse background spans from covering international finance and economics for a major news outlet to engaging with the European tech and venture capital ecosystem, demonstrating a unique blend of journalistic rigor, strategic communications, and entrepreneurial insight. eleanot

Work

Education

Writing

What I’ve learned about AI & writing (and my secrets)

October 1, 2025

A personal reflection on experimenting with AI tools in novel writing, journalism, and communications/marketing. Shares tips for interacting with AI, such as treating it as a junior journalist for editing and prompting for unexpected ideas.

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"Then only" vs "Only then": ChatGPT's grammar fixes and cultural power

July 1, 2025

An article exploring AI's limits and hidden biases in language models, featuring an interview with journalist and novelist Vauhini Vara. Discusses how AI editing can embed cultural hierarchies.

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AI U-turn: CEOs discover real people are good, actually

June 1, 2025

An opinion piece discussing how CEOs are retracting promises to replace humans with AI, citing examples from Klarna and Duolingo.

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Stop badmouthing European startups for moving to the US

April 1, 2025

An opinion piece arguing that if European startups move to the US, it is Europe's fault, not the startups'.

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What is a VC orphan and what to do if you become one?

January 1, 2024

An analysis of the challenges faced by startups when they stop generating VC-level returns and the tough conversations that follow for VCs and founders.

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2023 was a record year for non-SoftBank Japanese investment in Europe

January 1, 2024

An analysis highlighting a significant increase in Japanese capital involvement in European funding rounds in 2023.

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Hobbies

Enjoys Pokémon. nitter

Her favorite animal is a capybara. tokyoreview