Guided by his Midwest roots, Anders Larsen (BBA ’19) builds authentic relationships—and groundbreaking new technologies—at the world’s largest audio platform. Among other projects, Anders scaled Spotify’s video podcast format to a global level, launched a technology that replicates a podcaster’s voice and translates content to other languages, and is now turning his attention to the company’s fast-growing audiobooks business.
Growing up in Door County, Wisconsin, Anders discovered his passion for business through the area’s booming tourist industry. “The only two things I knew how to do as a kid were fixing boats and computers—so that’s what I did,” he says.
It wasn’t long before he set his sights on the Wisconsin School of Business—and a degree in marketing. “When we’d visit Madison, I’d always make my parents drive down University Avenue so I could see the business school. I’d look up at those big letters and announce, ‘That’s where I want to go to school someday.’”
During his time as an undergraduate student, Anders participated in internships at Kohler and Intuit, which helped inform his career trajectory and eventually led him to Spotify—his dream company. “When you’re able to work on a product that you feel connected to, I think it really elevates the way that you’re able to achieve incredible outcomes for your customers.