Babbel Leadership Shift: Co-Founder Markus Witte Returns as CEO Steps Down
Berlin-based language learning platform Babbel is undergoing a significant leadership change as CEO Arne Schepker steps down after nearly five years at the helm. Co-founder Markus Witte will reassume leadership responsibilities, marking a strategic transition for the company as it embraces AI-driven innovation in language education.
Leadership Transition Details
- Arne Schepker will not renew his contract after serving as sole CEO since 2019 (and previously as co-CEO with Witte)
- Markus Witte, Babbel’s co-founder and former CEO, will take on dual roles:
- Executive Chairman
- Managing Director
- Witte will lead the company during the transition period while Babbel searches for Schepker’s permanent successor
Why Schepker Chose to Step Down
In an exclusive interview, Schepker shared his reasons for departing:
“I just couldn’t get to a strong enough ‘yes.’ As a CEO, you can’t do the job with just 100% commitment—it needs to be 180%. I didn’t feel that was enough for the team, company, or shareholders.”
Key factors in his decision:
- Professional fulfillment: Not feeling excited about another cycle of annual budgets and OKRs
- Strategic timing: Coincides with Babbel entering a new phase of development
- Personal priorities: Plans to travel with family for at least the next year
Schepker’s Legacy at Babbel
During his tenure, Schepker achieved remarkable growth:
- 6x revenue increase to approximately $300 million
- Team expansion to nearly 1,000 employees
- Notable social impact initiatives, including:
- Free language learning during the pandemic
- Support for Ukrainian refugees
“There’s no monetary value to [our social initiatives]. I can’t even prove an ROI, but not a conversation goes by where that’s not brought up,” Schepker reflected.
The AI-Powered Future of Babbel
With Witte’s return, Babbel is poised to embrace AI more aggressively in its language learning approach:
- Current technology: Already uses machine learning behind the scenes
- New direction: Will leverage large language models (LLMs) more prominently
- Strategic advantage: Combines Babbel’s pedagogical expertise with cutting-edge AI
Witte acknowledges the challenges of rapid technological change:
“We’re in a phase where even people building large language models don’t know what the next generation will be able to do. Companies of our size need to be more nimble than ever.”
Why a Founder’s Return Matters
Witte believes his return offers unique advantages:
- Strategic flexibility: As a founder and major shareholder, can make bolder decisions
- Cultural continuity: Deep understanding of Babbel’s core values and mission
- Innovation mindset: Willingness to take calculated risks during technological disruption
The Human Element Remains Central
Both leaders emphasize that despite technological advances, language learning remains fundamentally human:
“You still want to speak to someone in another language—to have a conversation with a loved one,” Schepker noted.
Witte added:
“We have an opportunity to combine our didactic knowledge, data, and new technology to create truly personalized language learning journeys.”
Looking Ahead: Moments of Delight
Witte’s leadership philosophy focuses on creating positive experiences:
- For employees and users alike
- Across all levels of the organization
- Without needing perfection in every area
“These things that bring a smile to your face—that’s what I’m driving towards,” Witte shared. “That’s my mental model at the moment.”
This leadership transition marks an exciting new chapter for Babbel as it balances technological innovation with its human-centered approach to language learning.
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