Build Mode

Lessons from 20 years in the language learning business with Markus Witte from Babbel


Listen Later

On today’s episode of Found, Dom and Becca talk to Markus Witte, co-founder of Babbel, a language learning app that had been operating since 2007. Babbel has become one of the most prominent language-learning apps but their first product was essentially just a vocab game and they quickly discovered that a multi-modal way of learning will always be more effective. Markus also talked about why he decided to step down as CEO and take on the role of chairman and how all four co-founders have worked together to stick to the original mission of Babbel even after nearly 20 years. 

They also talked about:

  • Being a very early adopter of a subscription business model
  • The struggles of fundraising in Berlin in 2008 and how to operate intentionally lean
  • How the company has implemented AI tools back when AI was still machine learning.
  • Building a team that is deeply rooted to the original mission and how Markus developed the skills of an empathetic leader
  • Found posts every Tuesday. Subscribe on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts to be alerted when new episodes drop. Check out the other TechCrunch podcast: Equity . Subscribe to Found to hear more stories from founders each

     

    Connect with us:

    • On Twitter
    • On Instagram
    • ...more
      View all episodesView all episodes
      Download on the App Store

      Build ModeBy TechCrunch

      • 4.3
      • 4.3
      • 4.3
      • 4.3
      • 4.3

      4.3

      23 ratings


      More shows like Build Mode

      View all
      This Week in Startups by Jason Calacanis

      This Week in Startups

      1,286 Listeners

      The Twenty Minute VC (20VC): Venture Capital | Startup Funding | The Pitch by Harry Stebbings

      The Twenty Minute VC (20VC): Venture Capital | Startup Funding | The Pitch

      533 Listeners

      The Official SaaStr Podcast: SaaS | Founders | Investors by SaaStr

      The Official SaaStr Podcast: SaaS | Founders | Investors

      175 Listeners

      Acquired by Ben Gilbert and David Rosenthal

      Acquired

      4,710 Listeners

      The a16z Show by Andreessen Horowitz

      The a16z Show

      1,092 Listeners

      Invest Like the Best with Patrick O'Shaughnessy by Colossus | Investing & Business Podcasts

      Invest Like the Best with Patrick O'Shaughnessy

      2,351 Listeners

      Founders by David Senra

      Founders

      2,160 Listeners

      Equity by TechCrunch, Rebecca Bellan, Kirsten Korosec, Anthony Ha, Max Zeff, Theresa Loconsolo

      Equity

      337 Listeners

      Masters of Scale by WaitWhat

      Masters of Scale

      3,988 Listeners

      Y Combinator Startup Podcast by Y Combinator

      Y Combinator Startup Podcast

      225 Listeners

      Practical AI by Practical AI LLC

      Practical AI

      207 Listeners

      My First Million by Hubspot Media

      My First Million

      2,656 Listeners

      ACQ2 by Acquired by Ben Gilbert and David Rosenthal

      ACQ2 by Acquired

      281 Listeners

      The Logan Bartlett Show by by Redpoint Ventures

      The Logan Bartlett Show

      188 Listeners

      The Startup Ideas Podcast by Greg Isenberg

      The Startup Ideas Podcast

      203 Listeners

      Chain Reaction by TechCrunch, Yashad Kulkarni, Maggie Stamets, Kell Keller, Jacquelyn Melinek

      Chain Reaction

      25 Listeners

      The TechCrunch Podcast by Darrell Etherington, Maggie Stamets

      The TechCrunch Podcast

      5 Listeners

      The TechCrunch Live Podcast by TechCrunch

      The TechCrunch Live Podcast

      3 Listeners