This time the investors showed teeth in "The Lions Den". The negotiations were tough.
In the new episode of "Die Höhle der Löwen" the investors showed teeth and claws on Monday evening on VOX (also on "TVNow")! The negotiations were tough, sometimes they could only convince as a pack. Two of the founders also have big plans: They want to make the world a little better, reduce plastic waste and bring solar systems to the streets.
A celebrity couple started the game: the actress Birte Glang (40) has already appeared in the "SOKO" series and in "Unter uns". Her husband, André Tegeler (47), is known as Moguai as a DJ and music producer. The idea and production of "Move it Mama" was born under the California sun, where the couple lived for six years. This is a fitness program and app for pregnant women – tailored to the respective trimester, developed together with midwives, doctors and fitness trainers. The couple invested 300,000 euros in the development. For their "baby" they wanted 200,000 euros and offered 15 percent of the company's shares.
The Lions liked their mother as a personality, but not as an entrepreneur. Judith Williams (49) summed it up: "How do you want to earn money with it?" The subscription system with currently 50 customers was not convincing. But in the end there was praise from the husband: "The product was well received by everyone! A great confirmation!"
The start-up "Vytal" declares war on plastic waste
The next founders brought Nico Rosberg (35) completely off the mark. Sven Witthöft (31) and Tim Breker (33) from Cologne have developed a share system for to-go meals in the catering industry. Your start-up "Vytal" offers bowls that can be reused up to 200 times. The founders think big: they want to establish a global cycle between customers and catering providers. A QR code ensures that the containers can be tracked. The model is financed by a 20-cent levy from restaurateurs each time it is used – roughly the same price as for a disposable plastic tray.
The two Cologne-based companies, who have already invested 60,000 euros, wanted 450,000 euros and in return offered ten percent of their shares. Nico Rosberg was skeptical and got out: "This is a completely new system. There are still so many problems to come!" But when Georg Kofler (63) showed interest, followed up and got good answers, Rosberg was back on board. Together they demanded 25 percent – but the founders didn't take part. In the end, Kofler was left alone with twelve percent. And Rosberg swore: "F …!"
Healthy balls from the family start-up
Julian Berhang (40) and his wife Elena Sarri-Berhang (36) met in Greece and spent their parental leave there after the birth of their twins. In addition to a lot of baby cries, they developed a business model to compensate: "Yammbits" – small fruit pralines – organic, vegan, gluten and lactose-free. Judith Williams raved after the tasting: "I know my way around these balls. These are particularly fresh and fruity!" Carsten Maschmeyer (61) joked: "The fruity praline in the world!".
Ralf Dümmel especially liked the slogan "Eat only nature" and the sophisticated development with several flavors. That pleased the couple who had bet on the investor. Dümmel was then awarded the contract for 20 percent and 100,000 euros. And he followed suit: "If I sell your product in 10,000 stores and get 50 million flyers, I get 25 percent!". The founders were happy: "We have come a lot closer to our dream of being successful with" Yammbits "and being able to make a living as a family!"
Mr. Beton moves investors – they don't give money
Miled Ben Dhiaf (42) has a passion: concrete. After earning money with concrete sculptures, he developed a compound that is easier and better to process than conventional products. His "kneading concrete" has been around since 2012, and in 2019 he improved the recipe again. A two-kilo sack costs 14.90 euros, and production costs are around two euros. The Lions were initially enthusiastic about the likeable founder, but when he reported about his declining sales and debts, the Lions became skeptical.
Nils Glagau (44) said what everyone thought: "The competition stole your sales with copies." Nobody wanted to give him the 150,000 euros for 25 percent of the company's shares. Maschmeyer still praised him: "Absolutely honest, super positive, enthusiastic and a great sales presentation." Kofler was also personally impressed: "A very warm-hearted person, but not an entrepreneur, unfortunately!". Dhiaf kept her composure: "Of course I am deeply sad, but also thankful that I was allowed to be here!"
An innovation blast convinced three of the lions
The product and software developer Donald Müller-Judex (57) has already received several awards. After two digital companies, he founded "Solmove" in 2014 with a revolutionary idea – a smart road surface made of flexible glass modules with solar cells that generate electricity. In this way, entire streets, parking lots or sidewalks can be turned into solar systems. Müller-Judex: "The road that normally only costs money suddenly earns money". The modules are as strong as conventional asphalt and have the same braking properties.
The practical test was convincing: Nico Rosberg took a hammer and hit the module – the hammer was damaged, the module remained undamaged. To prepare for production and bring Solmove to market, Donald Müller-Judex required an investment of 500,000 euros and offered ten percent of the company's shares. His argument: "If it works, it's a world market product." The application for a patent is already in progress.
Kofler was both skeptical and enthusiastic: "This is a huge infrastructure project!" Dagmar Wöhrl (66), Carsten Maschmeyer and Nico Rosberg were awarded the contract together: 25 percent for 750,000 euros. Müller-Judex was flabbergasted: "My goal was to win one of the lions – now three are taking part." Carsten Maschmeyer: "This is a bet on the future! We bet with you!"