“The Lion’s Den”
Lions suffer from period pain
Successful deal with her warm heart: founder Carina Hader.
© RTL / Stefan Gregorowius
A season opener under pressure: First the lions suffer from period pains, then they close the fastest deal in history.
For ten years, founders and inventors have been fighting for the deal of a lifetime on VOX. Just in time for the anniversary season of “Die Höhle der Löwen” (Mondays, 8:15 p.m., on VOX or Judith Williams, 52, is back on the team of investors in the new series “Skype” (on RTL+). The lion pack is about to face a spectacular pitch. A founder sticks electrical stimulation electrodes on the stomachs of the male lions – and thus secures the deal. The lions are also electrified by a deal in record time. A reporter legend, on the other hand, visibly moves them.
Lions fight for period pain pad
Founder Carina Heidi Hader, 35, is studying aerospace engineering in Munich. The Munich native is a mixture of “tech and marketing talent,” says original lioness Judith Williams. Carina calls her foldable heart, including a patented heat system, “nayca.” She wants to “make life easier for millions of women” by relieving them of excruciating period pain. But first, the male lions should feel what period pain feels like. Carina Carsten Maschmeyer, 65, and Tillman Schulz, 34, quickly put on period cramp simulators – and hit a nerve. Judith Williams on the one hand and Carsten Maschmeyer and Janna Ensthaler, 41, on the other, quickly vie for the deal. “Everything you need is here!” Judith Williams confidently makes her offer of 250,000 euros for twenty percent of the company shares. Carsten Maschmeyer counters to Carina: “You can see that there is an offer that is twice as strong.” Williams, slightly offended, sees this as a “kick in the teeth”. After consulting with her father and business partner Bruno, Carina gives the contract to the Maschmeyer-Ennsthaler duo – and thus her dream lion.
Matching “topfi” lid in record time
Love at first sight brought Annette, 52, and Tomasz Makowski, 50, together. And they want to achieve the same instant love effect for their product in the “Lion’s Den”. In a record-breaking 60-second presentation, the couple presents their pot lid holder “topfi”. It is simply attached to the edge of a pot or pan and serves as a storage space for pot lids while cooking. There are already inquiries for a million “topfis”, say the inventor couple. The resourceful founders are asking for 100,000 euros for 20 percent of their company. Will the record deal also be made? Ralf Dümmel, 57, turns the tables and interviews the two in record time. Then it is clear to him: “I am the perfect lion when it comes to pots and pans. I’ll pay you the 100,000 euros and I want 25 percent. All you have to do is say ‘yes’.” And indeed: Only a few minutes after they entered the cave, the deal with Ralf is in the bag and “topfi” has found his perfect match.
“ratzfatz” with lion duo in business
Fresh and healthy food for children – and on the table in no time. That was the challenge for Luisa Schubert, 36, Sarina Morawiak, 35, and Maraike Höhne, 34, from Berlin. The three founders and mothers want to bring more relaxation into German family life with their organic children’s ready meals. Their offer: 100,000 euros for ten percent of the company shares in their “ratzfatz” brand. Like their little customers, the lionesses and lions love the “ratzfatz” range. But will the “ratzfatz” deal go through? Mother of three Janna Ennsthaler doesn’t want to go in alone. Carsten Maschmeyer strikes – and offers 100,000 euros for twenty percent in tandem with Janna. After a conspiratorial discussion, the duo of Nils Glagau, 48, and Tillman Schulz counter with the same offer. The founders’ dream lions, Janna and Tillman, have now split into two teams – what now? They give the male duo the contract and will work with Nils and Tillman in the future on the right recipe for the market success of “ratzfatz”.
Did you close the deal with VUP?
The classic tie with a suit has almost become obsolete in business life. It is to be replaced by VUP, the unisex styling accessory invented by style consultant Evelin Stefano, 52, from Lake Zurich. VUP stands for “Very Unique People”. And Evelin presents her invention to the lions in a unique and passionate way. Her internationally protected VUP can be used as a tie replacement, foulard, pocket square, belt replacement, hair band or as a scarf. Can Evelin and the lions start the tie revolution? Which lion is prepared to support Evelin with 150,000 euros for 12 percent of their company shares? The lionesses and lions are enthusiastic about Evelin’s refreshing manner, but are not completely convinced by the product and its revolutionary power. Judith Williams, the bundle of energy of the lions’ group, also drops out at the end. With applause from the lions, but without a deal, Evelin has to start the journey home to Switzerland.
“I was addicted to pills, now I’m addicted to deals”
This performance moves everyone to tears. With his start-up “Zockerhelden”, lawyer Marc Ellerbrock, 54, from Markdorf wants to give gambling addicts a second chance. He wants to help victims to reclaim gambling losses from questionable online providers up to ten years retroactively – and without any risk of costs. He is supported in this by football commentator legend Werner Hansch, 85. Hansch, once at home in every football stadium and well-paid, was himself one of the approximately 4.6 million gambling addicts in Germany. With his voice choked with tears, he describes how he lost everything after his retirement: 600,000 euros and a house, but also friends and the love of his life. “After my retirement, I was not prepared to face the question of meaning. So I slipped into gambling addiction.” The starting point of “Zockerhelden”: Many online sports bets did not have a German license until 2020, online casino and poker bets until 2022. Many offers were illegal in Germany. The lions are visibly moved. Judith Williams explains: “I’ve been sitting here since the first season, but for me that was the most moving moment.” Carsten Maschmeyer takes up his own past in his offer to the two: “I was addicted to pills, now I’m addicted to deals.” He offers 125,000 euros for 15 percent of “Zockerhelden”. And with Dagmar Wöhrl, 70, he can win his fellow lioness. Werner Hansch on his deal: “This is now the meaning that I missed back then.”