Tobias Wann - from visionary student to CEO of an innovative company
"I took a lot of what I am today with me from Witten," says Tobias Wann, UW/H graduate and CEO of the company tonies SE.
It's hard to imagine a child's bedroom without them: the audio figures "Tonies", which children can place on a (Tonie) box and listen to music or stories. UW/H graduate Tobias Wann has been CEO of this innovative company since January 2024. In this role, he is responsible for the successful management, for the company's growth and for ensuring that the goals set are achieved.
Prior to his time as CEO, he founded his own company and worked for many years in management positions at large companies, including in the IT security and online travel industries. He gained the expertise for all these career steps at UW/H.
Before starting his studies in the mid-1990s, Tobias had a clear idea of what his learning environment should look like. "Small, personal and intensive" were his criteria. The path led him to Witten; even during his studies he recognised the revolutionary opportunities offered by the commercialisation of the Internet. At the end of the 90s, the Internet was about to change the business world forever, and Tobias wanted to be part of this change. He specifically sought out one of the first Internet agencies in Germany as a mentor company and decided to set up his own business while still a student. A step that was greatly favoured by the practice-oriented education at UW/H. "The rest just happened," he says looking back.
The freedom in Witten made him strong
The time in Witten offered Tobias unique opportunities: "We were able to try things out, take on responsibility and experience failure as a valuable experience." These experiences later proved to be invaluable, especially in his role as founder and managing director.
Looking back, he sees the combination of high-quality teaching, personal responsibility and intensive mentoring from professors such as Birger Priddat, Franz Liebl and Marc Wahrenburg as crucial to his professional success. "The opportunity to philosophise, reflect and problem-solve in Witten has prepared me to meet the challenges of today's business world."
Tobias was also often able to benefit from practical experience during his time as a student. He got to know different ways of working in companies through various internships and was able to exchange ideas with managing directors of large companies in many seminars. Even today, the many practice partners give students the opportunity to build up a strong professional network that extends right up to the management level.
He advises today's students: "Try things out. Pay attention to quality, look for the best mentors and don't be afraid of challenges. Effortless is a myth!"