The Cave of the Lions: The lions did not stand a chance with these products
So some founders had to go home disappointed: In episode ten of the current season of "The Cave of the Lions" (every Tuesday, 20:15 on VOX), the lions drove their claws out. It hailed one cancellation after another. And then investors were presented with vegan food. In the end, a product could still arouse the hunting instinct of investors.
Ralf Dümmel relies on Trash
Alex Baechler (32) from Switzerland invented a dustbin that you can squeeze. "We were a big family and always had a lot of trash." He wanted 125,000 euros for 25 percent of company shares in "Prezit", 149 euros to cost the trash can with Komprimierfunktion. The founder received very, very skeptical looks and a lot of criticism. "That seems to me a real pipe-catcher," commented Frank Thelen (42) even. "Absolutely no investment case", also found Dagmar Wöhrl (64). Carsten Maschmeyer (59) was out, Judith Williams (45) was still bothered by the optics.
But then Ralf Dümmel (51) picked up the weather. "It's rare that I disagree with all the lions, but in that case I do it, I find the subject exciting, we can see if we show the four that it's a good story after all." Well roared lion! Dümmel offered 125,000 euros for 30 percent and the deal was fixed.
The lions agree: no coal for coal
Coal for coal wanted the next investors. The sandbox friends Aaron Armah (36) and Jakob Hemmers (36) have the plan to shake up the grill industry. They offer the world's first biochar certified organic from local forests. They wanted 100,000 euros for ten percent of their company "Nero". The lions agreed in the end: Coal is coal and will always have an output, if you want to be environmentally conscious, you better grill with gas. There was no coal for the coal in the end.
How does the lion taste vegan food?
Can you turn dogs into vegetarians? The founders Tessa Zaune-Figlar (34), Valerie Hansen (28) and Lisa Walther (29) are convinced and wanted to win a lion for their vegan pet food "Vegdog". The girls wanted 150,000 euros for a ten percent stake in the company. The idea came to the founders when their own dog suffered from gastrointestinal problems. The vet advised vegan diet at that time, but there was none. So you cooked yourself and after four weeks, the dog was free of complaints. Could the concept convince the lions?
Carsten Maschmeyer told his own animal story. "We have eleven donkeys and babies getting apples and carrots, our Labrador dragged the carrots back and forth and ate nothing." Even Frank Thelen's dog could not enthuse yet for the tailored to four-legged veganism. Ralf Dümmel left out the animal aspect, but warned against the danger of imitation and the difficult market. "That's a shark tank and I'm out."
Dagmar Wöhrl was not afraid of big animals. She invested 150,000 euros for 20 percent. "This is a heart story, I do that because the girls are so great." And they were happy about the chance: "Crazy Shit!"
No motorcyclists among the lions
Luca Osten (26), Sebastian Dambeck (27) and Hans-Joachim Allenfort (29) from Berlin have developed an app with "Calimoto", with which they want to make motorcyclists happy worldwide. 650,000 euros for 10 percent of company shares was their offer to the lions. The three invented a curve algorithm that always finds the best route. The founders were confident in victory, but probably had not expected that their product idea could be a difficult topic for the lions.
"I've never been as silent as I am today," admitted Judith Williams. "My parents forbade me to put me on the moped for a 'crappy', so one time I did, my dad caught me and since then I've let it go, I'm out." Also Dagmar Wöhrl lacked the inner enthusiasm, for Carsten Maschmeyer the rating was too high. App specialist Frank Thelen almost lost a friend through a motrorrad accident - understandably that he did not want to invest. The motorcycle fans had to go home "bitterly disappointed" without a deal.
Georg Kofler: "That does not need the world"
No lion was enthusiastic about motorcycling, but maybe skiing? Marcus Maaßen (42) and Jens Willecke (45) invented the "Lazys", which are supposed to turn the ski boot into a sneaker. "Be crazy, go lazy," was her motto, they wanted 120,000 euros for 20 percent. The Lazys can be fastened under the ski boot and should provide a natural rolling movement.
A template for Georg Kofler, who even has a ski instructor training. He tried the invention and made a crushing verdict. "I would never wear these things, even if I get them, it's the most superfluous product I've ever seen at the Lion's Den - that's not what the world needs." Humming, that sat. Without a deal, the "Lazys" founders had to go home.
The best comes last
The best is known to finish. Vinh-Nghi Tiet (34) and Wolfgang Kleiner (56) presented the lion with their "Aspira Clip", the first mini-inhaler to go, 1.3 million euros have already invested the two founders, of the lions they wanted 600,000 euros for ten percent. All lions tried the silicone clip, which is enriched with essential oils. Especially Ralf Dümmel could not get out of the swarming anymore. "I think the topic is incredible, I had the clip in my nose during the whole pitch and it did not bother me at all, it's a super topic."
Together with Carsten Maschmeyer he wanted to secure the deal. But not on the terms of the founders. "It will be exciting, because I need a nose relaxation first," found Judith Williams. In the end, the deal works out: There were 600,000 euros cash and 400,000 euros working capital for 25 percent of the company shares.
