“The Lion’s Den”
Michael Ballack causes cheers
Bernhard Unger, Michael Ballack and Dr. Thomas Hüster (from left) prove how harmless their miracle cure is for plants.
© RTL / Bernd-Michael Maurer
In the 4th episode, an idea by Michael Ballack is convincing across the board – but not all pitches go as well as the ex-footballer’s.
There is a new lioness in the pack: in the fourth episode of the eleventh season, family entrepreneur Sarna Röser (34) takes part for the first time in the investor’s chair in the “Lion’s Cave” (Mondays, 8:15 p.m., VOX, also on RTL+) Place. This means that for the first time there are more women than men on the investor side. “We’re not as cute as we look,” Judith Williams (50) and Dagmar Wöhrl (67) warn their colleagues. And in fact, Sarna Röser goes straight in with her first deal.
An impressive cucumber
Niklas Heinzerling (30) and Leonie Eißele (30) invented “Le Gurque”, a sponge made entirely from the Asian loofah cucumber. It is compostable and more durable than a traditional dishwashing sponge. Both Judith Williams and Ralf Dümmel (55) want to get in for 100,000 euros, first individually, then as a team, after Röser and Wöhrl also join forces. The couple opts for the latter – probably because the women are satisfied with 20 percent, while Williams and Dümmel want a whopping 40 percent of the company shares. Williams is very disappointed: “It can’t be true!” Carsten Maschmeyer (62) explains: “Individually you pitched more successfully!”
Next up is an entire company: Jonathan Mondorf (26), Ben Kohz (26), Andreas Weiser (30), Michael Pomogajko (28) and Simon Farshid (25). They invented an app that suggests books to its users based on their emotions. The idea of the book finder AI is well received, but is not yet mature enough for the high rating of “Read-o” – all investors agree on that. The founders want 600,000 euros for 15 percent. After four lions and lionesses have jumped, Maschmeyer uses his negotiating advantage and trades his percentage up to 25.1. “I’ve just aged 30 years,” said founder Jonathan after the negotiations. “It’s not just a deal, it’s our existence that depends on it.”
Dümmel excited after deal with Ballack: “Yes! Yes! Jaaa!”
Then there is a prominent surprise for the lions: Michael Ballack (45). The former football star has not only dealt with plants on the lawn. Together with his friend Bernhard Unger (54) and the agricultural scientist Dr. Thomas Hüster (56), he developed a biological plant strengthener called “Lucky Plant”. It consists of six wild herbs and is said to lead to more flowers for a longer period of time, as well as more robust lawns and higher yields. An “energy drink for the plants,” says Ballack proudly.
To prove how natural the remedy is, Ballack and his cronies even drink the “plant drink” right in front of the camera. The men want 100,000 euros for 20 percent, garden friend Maschmeyer wants to get in directly and emphasizes his knowledge of plants. Wöhrl and Röser attack again as a team under the same conditions. But the biggest fan is undoubtedly Ralf Dümmel: “I’m really excited!” said Dümmel in his attempt to convince the men. “I would be so happy if I could be the partner!” As it turns out after a short consultation, he can: “We believe – maybe a bit of sympathy is also involved – that Ralf Dümmel can help us the most.” He is happy – probably a premiere on the show – more than the founders themselves and cheers: “Yes! Yes! Jaaa!”
The next pitch is the opposite of a direct hit. Lisa Berger (27), Sandra Ebert (29) and Pascal Moll (28) are trained food technologists. They want to prevent food waste in industry with the “Retter Kräcker”. Their crackers consist of pomace – a waste product that is produced when sunflower or pumpkin seeds are pressed and usually ends up in the feeding trough or the biogas plant. Pomace is rich in proteins and fiber. However, the lions are not enthusiastic when trying the three varieties. Williams says: “I once had a guinea pig – the food looked similar.” Maschmeyer replies: “I assume it tasted that way too.” Wöhrl also finds: “Unfortunately, I don’t like it at all.” Williams points out, “If nobody likes it, you’re not saving anything.” A deal does not come about.
Williams quite touched
Janine Weirich (27) and Géraldine Ulrichs (25) want to ensure that more women can prove themselves in start-ups in the tech sector in the future. Their “Xeem” platform wants to bring young talents and companies together through challenges. Companies set tasks for which the young talents can find solutions and ideas in teams and thus introduce themselves to the companies. The confident pitch impresses the lions and lionesses.
Finally, Röser, Wöhrl and Maschmeyer come together. After some negotiations, an agreement was reached on 25.1 percent of the company shares for 300,000 euros. “Thank you for pushing yourself. You won’t regret it!” Said Maschmeyer. After the women left the studio with a well-heard cry of joy, Williams was almost in tears: “The fact that two women come in like this, do you know how it affects me? In my generation we are sometimes so lonely, you can do that don’t introduce yourself!” Wöhrl knows what she’s talking about: “What should I say? How often I was the only woman…”