# Markus Witte

> Berlin-based Babbel co-founder Markus Witte helped turn an audio-software team’s interest in language learning into an international subscription business. A former CEO and current Executive Chairman, he also advises growing startups through Wachstumsbegleitung.

- **Role:** Co-Founder and Executive Chairman at Babbel
- **Organizations:** Babbel, Wachstumsbegleitung, Native Instruments
- **From:** Beckum, Germany
- **Nationality:** German
- **Education:** MA in Cultural Studies, Humboldt University of Berlin
- **Known for:** Co-founded Babbel in 2007., Led Babbel through its shift to paid subscriptions and international expansion., Babbel exceeded €100 million in sales for the 2018 financial year.

## Career timeline

- **Before 2007** — Worked in academia and later led the online division at Native Instruments.
- **2007** — Co-founded Babbel with Thomas Holl, Lorenz Heine and Toine Diepstraten.
- **2009** — Babbel changed from its early advertising-supported approach to paid subscriptions.
- **2019** — Moved from co-CEO to Executive Chairman; Arne Schepker became sole CEO.
- **2024** — Returned to operational leadership during the search for a successor to Arne Schepker.
- **2025** — Tim Allen was appointed CEO; Witte returned his focus to the Executive Chairman role.

## Achievements

- Co-founded Babbel in 2007.
- Led Babbel through its shift to paid subscriptions and international expansion.
- Babbel exceeded €100 million in sales for the 2018 financial year.
- Babbel reported over 25 million subscriptions sold by June 2025.

## Latest updates

- **2025-06** — Babbel announced Tim Allen as CEO and Witte’s continued strategic role as Executive Chairman.
- **2025-05** — Witte announced the closure of Babbel Live for private learners effective July 1, while retaining it for business customers.

## Links

- Website: https://www.wachstumsbegleitung.org/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markuswi
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/mkwi

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/markus-witte
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-14