“The Lions’ Den”
A rollercoaster of emotions at the start of the anniversary season
Investor Carsten Maschmeyer tests the Classplash app.
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At the start of the tenth season of “Die Höhle der Löwen”, one start-up failed mercilessly, others were celebrated.
Moderator Amiaz Habtu (44) lets the corks pop right at the beginning of the new episode of “Die Höhle der Löwen” (VOX). Although the founding show does not have a round anniversary, it will enter its tenth season on September 6, 2021, thanks to two seasons per year since 2020.
Teacher of the year annoys Georg Kofler
At the start of the new season, the brothers Rui (35) and Carlos Duarte Ramalheiro (41) venture into the lions’ den. Music teacher Carlos has developed an app that children can use to learn to play an instrument. For this he was named the most innovative teacher in the world. Now the brothers present their project “Classplash”, a bit wooden and learned by heart. For ten percent of the company shares, the musical brothers would like 350,000 euros.
The lions try their hand at the recorder and ukulele with great enthusiasm. But when it comes to the numbers, the fun is over quickly. “But that’s weak,” says Nils Glagau (45) about the previous sales of the start-up that started in 2017. Georg Kofler (64) even feels “kidnapped” by the app’s rating; his initially good mood has turned into the opposite. Although the Lions are enthusiastic about the app, they don’t convince the brothers as businessmen. Everyone gets out.
Osman’s daughters make Dagmar Wöhrl cry
Next, three self-proclaimed “indulgence ambassadors of Turkish cuisine” step into the ring. Arzu Bulut (48), Yudum Korkut (33) and Constanza Hörrmann (26) brought Turkish housewives together with young chefs from Istanbul in their restaurant “Osmans Töchter” until Corona came. Your meze – “Turkish tapas” – should now also be delivered to your home by the glass. In return, Osman’s three unrelated daughters would like 170,000 euros for 20 percent of the company’s shares.
At the tasting, the lions are genuinely enthusiastic: “The best we have ever eaten here” (Kofler). But when the keyword “cold chain” rings the alarm bells with investors – a classic of the show. Carsten Maschmeyer (62), Georg Kofler and Nico Rosberg (36) therefore distance themselves. But Nils Glagau and Dagmar Wöhrl (67) bite. After a long consultation, the three daughters decide to add Wöhrl to their ranks. There are tears on both sides.
Judith Williams “on fire” because of “scent junkie”
“Fragrance junkie” Kim Lohmar spent so much time in the car as a sales representative for a cosmetics company that she came up with the idea for a new aroma diffuser called ASALEA. The fragrance stone is made from diatomaceous earth, the finely ground shell of fossil diatoms. You can spray perfume on it and clip it to the car vent.
The lions are enthusiastic about the presentation of the experienced saleswoman, who wants 70,000 for 20 percent company shares. Maschmeyer, Glagau and Wöhrl see too few unique selling points. Judith Williams (49) is “on fire”, just like Ralf Dümmel (54). The founder decides against the “cosmetic queen” (Maschmeyer) Williams and for “Mr. Regal” (again Maschmeyer) Dümmel.
Mouse inspires two lions
Horst Schüler developed his product out of a personal stroke of fate. In 2007 the doctor suffered paralysis in his arms and legs after a car accident. Out of necessity, the inventor developed a device made of plasticine that he held in the palm of his hand and that brought the whole body into a comfortable and healthy position. Now the self-confident physician has turned it into the “running mouse”, for whose further distribution he wants 280,000 euros for 17.5 percent.
Glagau and Maschmeyer team up for an offer, and lone fighter Kofler also wants the deal. But all three want 30 percent. The duo Maschmeyer / Glagau can be negotiated down to 25.1 percent and wins the bid.