"Making People Successful"

Wirtschaftsforum: Mr. Leinweber, you have been the CEO of Continum AG since the beginning of the year. How do you look back on the company's development so far?

Tobias Leinweber: I took over responsibility from my predecessor, Julian Sayer, who shaped the company for eight years. When he started, Continum was not yet financially strong. Today, we are much better positioned – so I had a soft landing. But now it is time to take the next step. We are talking about 'Continum 2.0'.

Wirtschaftsforum: What exactly does this next step involve?

Tobias Leinweber: We are at a point where we need to realign ourselves. This includes investments, potential acquisitions, and opening up new markets – such as in Switzerland. My mandate is clear: growth and scaling. I bring experience from my time at international companies in building teams and developing markets. That's exactly what we need now.

Wirtschaftsforum: How is the company currently positioned?

Tobias Leinweber: Our headquarters is in Freiburg. In addition, we operate three data centers in Freiburg, Karlsruhe, and Stutensee – and a fourth in Basel is in planning. We are also considering sales locations in Berlin, Hamburg, and NRW. Overall, we currently employ 38 staff members. Next year, we want to grow to about 45. Our revenue was EUR 6.2 million in 2024, this year it will be about 7 million.

Wirtschaftsforum: So, the signs are clearly set for expansion – including internationally?

Tobias Leinweber: Absolutely. Besides Germany, Switzerland is a core market for us. Due to local data protection laws, many companies need to store data within the country's borders. Our proximity to Basel makes us predestined to become active here. Additionally, we are evaluating other locations in Europe.

Wirtschaftsforum: What role does corporate culture play in this?

Tobias Leinweber: A very big one. I rely on accountability and introduced ownership as a guiding principle right from the start. Everyone is responsible for their area from A to Z. It was an adjustment for some, but it changed the dynamics. We now have a sense of new beginnings: decisions are discussed together, the employees feel more involved. I myself lead by example – whether it's in acquisitions, at trade fairs, or in direct customer contact.

Wirtschaftsforum: What services and offers are currently in particular demand?

Tobias Leinweber: We see growth mainly in two areas: containerization and security. Our cloud platform for microservices offers customers flexible solutions for modern software development. In addition, security services are in high demand, such as firewalls or special protection mechanisms. Trust in a local company operating under German laws is an important argument in times of geopolitical uncertainties.

Wirtschaftsforum: Does this also mean a focus on specific industries?

Tobias Leinweber: We mainly work with upper-middle-class businesses and corporations. Our clients come from various industries, but they all need secure and reliable IT infrastructures.

Wirtschaftsforum: What role do marketing and communication play for further success?

Tobias Leinweber: A big one – even though we have some catching up to do. Our marketing manager is going to the USA, and I am currently looking for a replacement. We rely heavily on LinkedIn, on our own events like the 'CXO Innovation Club,' and on trade fairs. We need to become even more present in the future.

Wirtschaftsforum: You mentioned the use of AI. What significance does this topic have for Continum?

Tobias Leinweber: We are currently developing an AI platform. I see great potential in agents that help us accelerate processes – whether it's reading extensive documentation, handling customer inquiries, or in development. AI will enhance the quality of our work and reduce costs. In the long term, I believe in open systems and open-source models – traditional software manufacturers will no longer survive.

Wirtschaftsforum: What are the success factors of the company from your point of view?

Tobias Leinweber: Clearly: my staff. Success does not depend on me as CEO, but on the entire team working together. I like to compare it to a ship: it only sails if everyone on board pulls together.

Wirtschaftsforum: Finally: What is your vision for Continum in the coming years?

Tobias Leinweber: We aim to establish ourselves as the leading provider of secure cloud services and managed services in Germany and Europe. Growth is one thing, but I also want to create an environment where employees can not only work but also realize themselves. Making people successful is my personal drive.