A founder wants to remove taboos from the topics of sex and desire with a libido tea. However, the erotic offering leaves the lions completely cold.
In the fourth episode of the 14th season of “Lion’s Den” (also on RTL+) a last-minute deal causes a surprise; a demand for millions almost makes Nils Glagau (47) fall off his chair. An erotic offer doesn’t trigger any desire in the lions.
The first founder, Lukas Leipertz (33), a special education teacher at a special needs school, developed “Frinsh”, a frozen ginger shot. “Someone was always sick,” says the educator from the school practice. His grandmother therefore advised him to drink ginger tea every day. “But organic ginger is difficult to obtain and the process is complicated, which is how Frinch came about.”
The cube-shaped ginger shots need to be poured over with water and can be used for a variety of drinks. With the support of 75,000 euros, the ginger ice cubes will reach freezers across Germany. In return, the founder offers 20 percent of the shares. He has already sold 200 packs of “Frinsh”.
The lions can try. Investor Carsten Maschmeyer (64) coughs while spooning. “Very spicy,” says department store king Ralf Dümmel (56). “Breaking out in a sweat,” moans new lioness Tijen Onaran (38). She doesn’t want to invest.
A pack costs 25 euros and contains 25 pieces. “A bit expensive,” says entrepreneur Nils Glagau. Carsten Maschmeyer too. “I like you, but with the price and the cold chain it’s difficult, so I’m getting out.” Glagau speaks plainly: “You’re a fine guy, but I would tell you, don’t do it, stay as a teacher. For me it’s zero investment, so I’m out.”
Tillman Schulz (33) also can’t find any encouraging words: “25 euros is too expensive, you won’t survive. The freezer is the most expensive place, I don’t see a chance, that’s why I’m out.” Ralf Dümmel then waves him off. “I can’t do deep freeze with our company, I’m the wrong person, that’s why I’m out.”
That’s it. Or not? Because suddenly Tillman Schulz surprisingly grabs Ralf Dümmel and the lion duo makes an offer. You offer 75,000 euros, but want 40 percent. The founder briefly discusses it with his brother and then strikes. Completely surprising last minute deal for “Frinsh”.
Lion’s Den: Not an easy game for “Urban Challenger”
For the next startup, the idea also came from my own family. “Urban Challenger” is a game in which you can explore a city and complete tasks. The game is available as both a card game and an app. The founders and developers of the app are the siblings Daniel (40) and Simon (35) Heitz. The idea came to them on a trip. “In India we had the idea of setting ourselves a task: in one day we would use all the means of transport that this crazy city of Mumbai has to offer,” say the siblings.
So far, the city exploration game is available in the following cities: Berlin, Freiburg, Hamburg and Mannheim. In order to expand, the founders need 60,000 euros and offer 15 percent of their company shares. The “Urban Challenger” program costs 18 euros per person. So far the program has been sold around 80 times and 8,000 euros have been spent.
Entrepreneur Janna Ensthaler (39) has her doubts. “The competition is great, many are already offering this.” Carsten Maschmeyer has even bigger concerns. “I don’t consider you professionals, it’s not for me, I’m out.” Dagmar Wöhrl (69) sees it similarly. “It’s a nice idea, but I have the feeling you don’t know your numbers, it all seems out of thin air. I don’t see a vision, I’m out.” Nils Glagau chimes in. “I think that’s good, but I don’t feel the spirit of the hungry founders, I’m out.” Tillman Schulz doesn’t want to play either.
Janna Ensthaler suddenly does. Despite her doubts, she wants to support them both. The entrepreneur offers 60,000, but demands 25 percent. The founders agree. Deal for “Urban Challenges”.
“Don’t feel anything”: “Ruby” libido tea doesn’t make you feel like it
The founder of “Ruby” is Jasmin Kamann (33) from Berlin. With her libido capsules and her libido tea, she wants to help remove taboos around the topics of sex and desire and also provide women with medical support. Because compared to men, women lack support. “With “Ruby” I want to inspire people to have more sensuality in their lives,” says the founder, who was already insolvent with a previous startup, describing her goal.
The “Ruby” products, which are available for women and men, are made from high-quality raw materials such as an Indian asparagus plant called Shatavari, which means “the one that owns a hundred men”.
In order to make her company known, the founder needs 250,000 euros, and she offers 15 percent of the company shares. 120 capsules cost 119.90 euros, the tea costs 24.90 euros. In 2022 sales were 85,000 euros.
The founder serves libido tea to the lions. Drink and feel the effects, she promises. The lions eagerly empty their cups and feel nothing. Tillman Schulz gets out. “I don’t see anything, I think the prices are too high, I don’t feel anything at the moment, that’s why I’m out.” Nils Glagau doesn’t feel anything either and doesn’t want to invest either. Ralf Dümmel is also not enthusiastic. “I have a lot of respect for your performance, but you don’t have the big turnovers, it’s going to be a long road, so I’m out.” Carsten Maschmeyer is bothered by too many promises of efficiency. “If you want too much, you won’t get anything. That’s why I’m out.”
Erotic expert lioness Tijen Onaran doesn’t bite either. “I believe in you, but your brand is too broad. I think you need a while, I’m out”. No deal for “Ruby”.
Nils Glagau: “I’m about to fall off my chair”
Around half of Germans suffer from back pain. “Sturfer” is an office chair with a hip stretch function that is intended to prevent back pain. The innovative chair transforms in a matter of seconds into a multifunctional training device that integrates daily hip stretching exercises into everyday life. The chair was invented by Dr. Christian Behrendt, Dr. Silvia Behrendt and Matthias Kutscher.
The “Sturfer” is available in six variants and the price can be up to 5,479 euros. The “Sturfer” has been on the market for four weeks and has so far achieved sales of 184,000 euros.
To expand sales, marketing and production, the founders need 1.2 million euros and are offering ten percent of the company shares. “I’ll fall off my chair,” says Nils Glagau. The lions are allowed to test sit. Ralf Dümmel sits great, but gets out. “Not my thing, I’m out.” Janna Ensthaler thinks the rating is far too high. “Definitely not.” Tillman Schulz also doesn’t want to invest. “Amazing pitch, but unfortunately I can’t help you, I’m out too.”
Two lions remain. But here too there is a hail of rejections. Dagmar Wöhrl finds the chair very in need of explanation. “I also see great difficulties with the target group; the price is too high for me.” Nils Glagau agrees. “Not everyone can afford that. That’s why I’m out. No deal for ‘Sturfer’.
Everyone criticizes “Nuni”, but a lion bites
Jenny Reckmann is a nurse and wanted to finally sleep without an uncomfortable nursing bra after the birth of her first daughter in the postpartum period. But there was nothing. So she and her husband developed the innovative, self-adhesive nursing pads “Nuni”.
The silicone pads do not need to be removed while breastfeeding. This is how they work: Stick the Nunis” silicone nursing pad onto the breast, the nipple should be in the middle of the opening. Press the nursing pad onto the fine micro Velcro ring with light pressure. Done. The nursing pads adapt to every breast and offer the highest level of comfort.
In order to make their self-adhesive nursing pads known and make everyday life easier for even more mothers, the two founders need 90,000 euros and are offering 15 percent. A set costs 29.95 euros. The product has been on the market for three months, and so far the founders have made sales of 2,000 euros.
Nils Glagau does the practical test. “It sits well,” he says. The other lions are also convinced by “Nuni”, but not by the packaging. “This needs an explanation, the packaging doesn’t say anything, so I’m out.” Ralf Dümmel sees it similarly. “It’s of no use for trading, so I’m out.” Tillman Schulz misses scalability. That leaves Nils Glagau. “It’s nothing, I find the name weak, the packaging difficult, but I’ll buy the product from you. I would try to build a clearer target group. I’ll give you 90,000 euros for 25 percent.” The founders think for a moment. And say yes. Deal for “Nuni”.