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Hey there Risers and Thrivers, 

Meet Daniel Hanemann, a growth-driven entrepreneur and business angel. A graduate of WHU, he is currently the CEO of wundertax, the tech startup he co-founded in 2016 and returned to as CEO in 2022. wundertax is an online tax tool to submit your German tax return easily! 

In this episode, Daniel takes us on a journey forged by a series of “yes man” decisions, starting from trying out a finance role, which saw him become a CFO at just 23, and later founding and building fast-growing ventures in six countries.

Here’s what we cover: 

• Importance of resilience and saying "yes" to new opportunities

  
  



• Privilege and its role in shaping entrepreneurial paths

  
  



• Dynamics of co-founder relationships and challenges of co-founder splits

  
  



• Building and maintaining relationships in the entrepreneurial journey

  
  

The discussion also touches on the personal aspects of entrepreneurship, such as dealing with transitions, the role of privilege and mindset, as well as the importance of building and maintaining relationships. Daniel’s story is a testament to the power of embracing opportunities with an open heart and mind, which ultimately shaped his successful career as an entrepreneur and business leader.

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Acknowledgments

Intro/Outro & Interlude Music: Music by ⁠⁠oussama arichi⁠⁠ from ⁠⁠Pixabay⁠

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Timestamps

Getting Started with wundertax (00:01:22 ) Daniel talks about the origins of wundertax, starting with student tax returns and its viral success.

Early Entrepreneurial Influences (00:06:07 ) Daniel's upbringing in Hong Kong and the influence of innovation and technology on his early entrepreneurial interests.

Moving to Germany for Studies (00:07:32 ) Daniel's decision to move to Germany for studies and the cultural and personal factors influencing the choice.

Pivotal Moments in Career (00:14:47 ) Daniel reflects on pivotal moments in his career, including saying "yes" to opportunities and the impact of early work experiences.

Taking on Finance Role at FoodPanda (00:18:31 ) Daniel's experience of taking on a finance role at FoodPanda and the opportunities that followed at a young age.

Becoming CFO at FoodPanda (00:19:14 ) Daniel's rapid rise to CFO position at a young age and the chaotic but fun experience at FoodPanda.

Privilege and Safety Nets in Germany (00:21:25 ) Discussion on privilege, safety nets, and government support in Germany for entrepreneurs, and the impact of privilege on mindset.

Starting Wonder Tax (00:27:24 ) Daniel's decision to start wundertax and the initial stages of the company's development.

Co-Founder Split and Moving On (00:31:46 ) Daniel's departure from wundertax, the amicable split with his co-founder, and the commonality of co-founder splits.

Transition to a New Venture (00:35:04 ) Daniel's quick transition to a new venture after leaving wundertax and the urgency of the decision.

Maintaining Momentum and Passion for Learning (00:36:18 ) Daniel's approach to keeping momentum, his fascination with learning new things, and the excitement of understanding new business models.

Scaling Spaces and Temporary Move to Amsterdam (00:38:54 ) Discussion on the challenges of scaling physical spaces and a temporary move to Amsterdam for a new business opportunity.

Transition to Freelancing and Reconnecting with Investors (00:42:10 ) Transitioning to freelancing, reconnecting with old investors, and the eventual return to wundertax.

Bringing Wonder Tax Back and Reuniting the Team (00:44:39 ) Reuniting with former colleagues, reviving wundertax, and the excitement of restarting the business with the original team.

Building and Maintaining Relationships (00:45:30 ) Reflecting on the importance of building and maintaining relationships in business and personal success.