On Monday evening, in an episode of the VOX program “Die Höhle der Löwen”, the biggest demand for capital was made – by three Swiss people! Bernhard Winter (28), Thomas Gemperle (34) and Pascal Buchholzer (29) from Winterthur ZH came before the investors. “We have the greatest need for capital that has ever been required in” Die Höhle der Löwen “,” Bernhard Winter began the presentation. And went on: “We need five million euros!” The “lions” were amazed!
But what is the enormous sum for? For the “Scewo Bro”, a revolutionary wheelchair whose appearance is reminiscent of a science fiction robot. Pascal Buchholzer himself demonstrates how to deal with this to the investors. He swiftly turns around in the wheelchair in the studio, drives smoothly over gravel and sand and lets the seat rise a full 87 centimeters. “This is how you can get to the top shelves when shopping,” explain the young entrepreneurs.
But the highlight of the revolutionary wheelchair is the ability to climb stairs. Thanks to the technology and software developed in-house by the former ETH students, the wheelchair recognizes a staircase and moves fully automatically and in reverse upwards – and downwards again.
Lions are thrilled, but the deal remains
Investors are delighted with the capabilities of the device. Nico Rosberg (36) says, stunned: “It’s crazy. Phenomenal!” Dagmar Wöhrl (67) is just as surprised and tries out the all-rounder for himself. Her conclusion: «You have a good feeling. Totally stable! “
Disappointing: Despite the great enthusiasm, there is no deal! «Investing five million in a single start-up? I cannot afford this risk, ”says Nico Rosberg. The disappointment is written on the Swiss face.
There are now deals worth millions
“We were very sad then,” recalls “Scewo” CEO Bernhard Winter. Would you have asked for a lower sum? “Then a deal with Nico Rosberg would have worked, of course, that would have been Oberhammer,” says Winter. But: “We just had to get the appropriate amount together.”
The appearance at “Die Höhle der Löwen” gave the young company a lot of presence and it was “a very good and constructive dialogue with investors”. Now «Scewo» wants to grow further and next year even produce over 100 of the wheelchairs. “That is a lofty goal, for which we now have to work and give everything,” said Winter.
And apparently the vision of the Swiss company is well received: “Last month we were able to close a deal of 8.5 million francs with an investor,” enthuses Winter. With this, the start-up not only achieved the original target amount of five million euros, but even more. So we can expect a lot more from «Scewo» in the future.