The focus of episode 3 of ‘Lion’s Den’ (Monday at 8:15 p.m., Vox or RTL+) is sustainability. The Lions are excited about the innovative power of most of the founders, whether it’s vegan sneakers made from leftover fruit, a stylish electric motorcycle using recycled batteries, or children’s glasses made from vegetable seed oil. But they have different opinions on the children’s glasses pitch. And the Lions experience the ‘worst pitch’ in history.
“Your bike is huge, but you are huge!”
Motorcycling is the passion of best friends Marvin Rau (30, from Bargteheide) and Michael Szpitalny (29, from Hamburg). In the lion’s den, they present their electric bike brand Metorbike. The stylish e-bikes with a retro look are powered by batteries recycled from the car manufacturing process. The highlight: the unique sound system guarantees authentic combustion engine sounds, from the classic moped sound to the roar of a V12. With a top speed of 50 km/h, anyone with a driving license can get on board and enjoy the acceleration and sound. The founders are offering 17% of the startup for 500,000 euros.
Ralf Dümmel (57) and Nils Glagau (48) did not hesitate for long and did a few laps in front of the studio, which had a lasting effect. After the presentation and the pleasant ride, Ralf Dümmel said: “Congratulations! What you have achieved with your investment so far is amazing.” But he does not see himself as an investor. Nils Glagau is different. He presses on the brakes and seems enthusiastic about the deal. He shakes hands and casually buys the bikes from the founders. But he wants more. Together with Carsten Maschmeyer (65), he shows his enthusiasm to the two engineers. Both offer the required 500,000 euros, but only 25 percent of Metorbike. The founders’ reaction: “That is not even worth discussing.” They attack spontaneously. Carsten Maschmeyer enthuses: “Your bike is huge, but you are awesome. You are an exemplary founder.”
“You don’t even know who your target audience is yet.”
Today, every child knows tofu. But tempeh? The Asian vegan product is originally made from fermented soybeans. It is a protein-rich, chewy and easy-to-prepare nutritious alternative. Jana Klauke (28) and Luca Menke (33) want to make the Tämptästic brand a hit in the German market with the help of the lion. And also versions made from chickpeas, peas or quinoa. They are offering 10 percent of the company for 40,000 euros.
Tempeh is still unknown to lions. They see the need to cool the product as an obstacle. And after tasting it, they have very different opinions. Carsten Maschmeyer’s conclusion about tempeh: “It doesn’t taste good. I don’t understand it. So I’m leaving.” On the other hand, Judith Williams (52) says, “I like it.” However, the founders see their product’s target group as buyers over 40, ‘because they have more money.’ Judith Williams is shocked and gives the founders a homework assignment: “Who are you? What is tempeh? And who is your target group?” She believes that the founders’ answers to these questions are not yet mature enough. So the two leave the cave with valuable experience without any deal.
“You are my Christmas and my birthday”
The German sneaker market is huge. However, most models are still made of natural leather. With her brand Vlace, Ludwigshafen-born founder Viola Weller (28) wants to ban topics such as animal suffering and poor working conditions from shoe stores. With courage and determination, she traveled Europe on a mission to produce ethically correct and stylish sneakers. After 40 failed promises, she found a suitable partner for her wool sneakers in a family-run Portuguese shoe factory. The shoes are made from waste Italian oranges, lemons, grapes, apples and corn. “The ecological footprint of my Vlace sneakers is only one-fifteenth of that of a conventional leather sneaker,” says the founder proudly. She asked for 200,000 euros for 10 percent of the company’s shares.
The stylish and comfortable fruit of the foot has impressed the entire Lion team. However, the ‘shelf kings’ Tillman Schulz and Ralf Dümmel are leaving, describing the shoe industry as a very hot place. “My heart is pounding so hard. Your sneakers have a USP. But above all, you invested in the founder. And you are my Christmas and my birthday,” says Janna Ensthaler (40), despite the opposition of her colleagues. After a phone call with her father, founder Viola Janna Ensthaler gave 23% of Vlace. This puts her deal with her “dream lioness” on solid ground.
The Lion King Controversy Surrounding Children’s Glasses
Manti-Manti founders Susann Hoffmann (42, Berlin) and Philippa Koenig (36, Hamburg) want to continuously improve the image of children’s glasses, from “snakes in glasses” to eye-catching glasses. The premium frames are not only beautiful and extremely flexible, but are also made from sustainable bio-based raw materials extracted from miracle tree seeds. To continue growing, the founders are counting on the lion’s share of sales and marketing. Their offer was 500,000 euros for 10 percent of the company’s shares.
The Lions were initially impressed by the sustainable and flexible frames. However, the price of 198 euros per frame clouds the positive view of Manti Manti. Tijen Onaran (39) thinks the business model is “privileged” and wants to make the product appealing to at least socially vulnerable families. Judith Williams can only shake her head at this. The question of the need for support from the founders arises between Tijen Onaran and Janna Ensthaler. Janna Ensthaler left Tijen Onaran in the following discussion. Judith Williams thinks the children’s eyewear market is “too interesting” and Janna Ensthaler said that the “math” was wrong in valuing the company. The last Lioness to leave the deal.
“The worst pitch I’ve ever seen here”
Whether you’re paying a fare, calling a taxi or taking a unique photo, it’s always a hassle when your phone battery runs out. That’s why Denise Ossenberg (31) and Thomas Hühne (34) from Frankfurt am Main developed the FiniBee spare battery rental station. “After downloading the FiniBee app, users can get a spare battery and a charging cable by using a QR code at the station,” explains Hühne, dressed in a bee costume. The duo want to expand throughout Germany and are asking for €100,000 for a 15 percent stake in FiniBee.
Dagmar Wöhrl thinks the concept is “a bit complicated” and estimates that the financial requirements are much higher. “I don’t believe in the model and I’m leaving.” The lions are also not convinced by the 700 current users and the annual turnover of 3,500 euros. “There is hardly any production compared to a year of testing,” says Nils Glagau. “We are building a sales system, but neither of us are salespeople. It’s like competing with a football team without a goalkeeper,” says Janna Ensthaler. “This is the worst pitch I’ve ever seen here,” says Judith Williams. She comes off like a fellow lion.
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