"Den of the Lion" - Experience water biking and pasta without the water.
The seventh installment of "Die Höhle der Löwen" (weekdays at 8:15 pm on VOX or RTL +) is fast approaching. Startup eWater.Bike aspires to "create water rats from stray cats," as founder Tanja Himmelreich (37) passionately announces. She and her teammates, Alexander Dudin (40) and Johannes Gärtner (39), hope to pocket 350,000 euros in exchange for a 20% equity stake. Initial reactions from the investors are somewhat condescending.
They then move outside, where a pond in front of the studio is the site for the practical demonstration. The investors are expected to test a fusion of an e-bike and a rowboat. Nils Glagau (48), Dagmar Wöhrl (70), and Tillman Schulz (34) give it a go. However, when Glagau attempts to shift gears, a gasket comes loose, and the propeller begins spinning. Schulz is forced to paddle back to shore.
Thankfully, the mishap doesn't deter the investors too much. But they're still not convinced. Wöhrl sees no target audience, whereas Schulz wants to hear numbers and learns they haven't made any sales yet. Tijen Onaran (39) feels the valuation of 2.7 million euros is excessive. Glagau likens the water bike to a "dud," the "mathematical projections" leave him unimpressed. No deal is struck.
The second presentation is now about the absence of water. Robert Kaiser (40) and Christian Zippel (39) have devised a new type of pasta, Crunchy Padella, that does not need cooking but only warming up in sauce. This way, they claim, water, time, and energy are saved. They're seeking 100,000 euros for a 15% share in their company.
The investors can sample the pasta first. The crunchiness is more chip-like than noodle-like. Carsten Maschmeyer (65) isn't impressed by the flavor. Glagau concurs that it's not appetizing. The evaluation also fails to sway him. However, Schulz tries it and agrees to team up with Wöhrl — but only if they get 25% of the shares.The pasta entrepreneurs decline without discussion.
Now, Dennis Baltzer (35), Henning Jahnke (27), and Roberto Bianco (35) pitch their idea targeted at a niche market: bald people. They aim to monopolize this market with their cream that combats excessive gloss or shields against sunburn on the scalp. Additionally, they have a facial cream for hairy individuals. Moderator Amiaz Habtu (46) is willing to serve as a spokesperson. Tijen Onaran rubs his bald head.
Maschmeyer deems the $2.7 million assessment ridiculous and a "disaster." Nils Glagau and Tillman Schulz, on the other hand, are intrigued, despite their heads of hair. The founders demand the highest of feelings for 20% of the shares. But no deal is made.
Angelica Conrath (33) and Jana Deckelmann (32) zero in on the female body after addressing men's skin concerns. They believe the current scientific research on the matter is subpar. Their brand, fembites, peddles supplements intended to balance hormonal fluctuations during menstruation and mitigate water retention. They promise 10% of their shares for a 300,000 euros investment.
Their products comprise gummies, chocolate, or supplement powders, all devoid of sugar. Maschmeyer's appraisal is deemed too high. Wöhrl objects to the amount of marketing effort necessary due to the mysterious nature of the offerings. In the end, Janna Ensthaler (40) bows out, citing the unappealing taste as the deciding factor. However, the founders appear unfazed, almost as if they've sealed the deal.
Christian Dinow (48) and Kai Steffens (47) hype the "genius invention for the ceiling." Plux is a ceiling plug fitting, with the founders claiming that over 1,000 people perish annually in Germany from installing ceiling lamps. Wöhrl considers it unsexy, while Ralf Dümmel (46) finds it fascinating but useless. Determined to invest, he insists on a 30% stake for 150,000 euros. The Plux team consents.
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Despite the initial setbacks with the water bike, Nils Glagau and Dagmar Wöhrl showed interest in the Crunchy Padella pasta, proposing a partnership for a larger share. However, the pasta entrepreneurs were not willing to negotiate.
Carsten Maschmeyer, known for his sharp critiques, deemed the valuation of 2.7 million euros for eWater.Bike as a "disaster," while Tillman Schulz and Nils Glagau displayed curiosity towards the cream for bald people, despite their own hair.
In the episode, Ralf Dümmel invested in Plux, a ceiling plug fitting, securing a 30% stake for 150,000 euros, despite Wöhrl's skepticism. Tillman Schulz, on the other hand, was intrigued by the absence of water in Crunchy Padella, advocating for a deal if they could secure 25% of the shares.
Throughout the episode, "Die Höhle der Löwen" (The Lions' Den) witnesses a variety of pitches, from water biking to pasta without cooking and bald-friendly cream, showcasing the array of innovative ideas vying for investment from the panel of investors, including Tillman Schulz, Carsten Maschmeyer, and Nils Glagau.
Dagmar Wöhrl was hesitant about the water bike and the pasta's target audience, while Tijen Onaran and Glagau voiced their concerns about the valuation and flavor respectively. The panel of investors demonstrated a range of reactions, from curiosity to skepticism, during the pitches, highlighting the entertainment and educational value of the show.
Expert investors like Carsten Maschmeyer, Tillman Schulz, Nils Glagau, and Dagmar Wöhrl continued their journey in "Die Höhle der Löwen," providing valuable insights and financial support to aspiring entrepreneurs, serving as a highlight in the TV shows lineup on VOX and RTL +.
Source: www.stern.de
