- Ten years within the enclosure of "Lions' Den": Insights into its hidden workings
Ralf Dümmel doesn't resemble a majestic lion today, but rather a vividly colored poison dart frog. The 57-year-old's attire for the Hamburg "business mogul" is saturated with a strong, intense green, from his shirt to his shoe soles and socks. Mentally, Dümmel seems to lack the patience of a big cat, preferring to leap into action instead. A kind soul helps him slip into a well-polished gentleman's shoe before the show begins.
Dümmel is in his dressing room, preparing for "Die Höhle der Löwen," a role he's played since 2016, which still stirs a certain amount of excitement within him. "My team even suggested attaching pulse monitors and setting up an oxygen tent here," he shares.
He's grappling with significant queries. Who will he confront today? And most importantly, what will he take home with him? Fans of the show have nicknamed this "Dümmeling." However, if he fails to secure a deal, the investor laments, "I just feel defeated."
Dümmel personifies the essence of "Die Höhle der Löwen." In this Vox show, people pitch their business ideas or inventions to the investors - the "lions." Dümmel is one of the most experienced "lions." The "lions" raise their eyebrows, jot down notes, and ultimately decide whether to invest or not.
Some founders leave the set disheartened, while others are so highly sought after that investors engage in competitive bidding wars. The show is a mix of a business seminar and soap opera elements, and it is truly unique.
In recent days, the show, originating from Japan, has celebrated its 10th anniversary. The jubilee season commences on Monday (2nd September, 8:15 PM, Vox), featuring Werner Hansch, the "voice of the region."
The original "lions," Jochen Schweizer and Frank Thelen, will make a special return to the show, alongside Judith Williams, the "lioness" from the first season, after a brief absence.
There are numerous tales to tell for the jubilee: of fallen deals and absurd business ideas, of lion confrontations, of Germans and their relationship with money, of successful ideas and peculiar products. However, one can also tour the show's sets on a shooting day and speak to the "lions." They gladly open their dressing rooms.
Just a few steps away from Dümmel's dressing room, one meets Janna Ensthaler. She has notes in hand, "Here, I'm attempting to crunch numbers," she explains. Numbers are important in "Die Höhle der Löwen." Names, figures, one mustn't mix them up. The channel emphasizes that the "lions" invest their own money and engage in "real business." Ensthaler is known for her expertise in "sustainable technologies" and "digital innovation."
But at this moment, she's still focused on the present. On recording days, the "lions" meet five different founders. Prior to that, she feels like facing a "mountain," she says. "In the morning, we have to be just as fresh as in the evening, right?" Apparently, approximately 42,000 cups of coffee have been consumed during the 10 years of the show.
A few steps further, Nils Glagau can be found in front of a clothing rack. One might silently ponder that a deep discussion on color theory between the 48-year-old and Ralf Dümmel could make for an entertaining show. Both seem to genuinely enjoy this intellectual exchange. "I enjoy some color sometimes," Glagau acknowledges with a relaxed smile.
Glagau and Dümmel have a healthy competition on-screen, according to the latter. "On a fair level, I believe I've had the most disagreements with Ralf," Glagau admits with a chuckle. "However, the best part is when all five 'lions' are interested in a founder," he adds with enthusiasm. "Those are magical moments."
Tillman Schulz, the youngest investor at 34 years old, follows in the next dressing room. He recently participated in the RTL show "Let's Dance," but it didn't go well. However, he seems more comfortable on the "Lion" stage. He's eagerly awaiting the show. Speaking about the founders, he says affectionately, "We 'Lionesses' and 'Lions' always say that they come with their 'baby' and want us to help raise it together."
In Tijen Onaran's dressing room, the investor addresses the topic of diversity, visibility, and digitization without hesitation. She enjoys discussions. She had just concluded a "pitch," presenting a founder. "The dynamics were definitely exciting," she reports.
But she's straightforward: "We don't donate our money; we invest. I'm not a philanthropist overwhelmed with money to give away." She considers her investment choices meticulously.
And she champions clarity. "I think we don't need to spread illusions where they don't exist," Onaran states. An honest "no" is better than a dishonest "yes."
"I'm interested in more stuff that gives me a sense of where we're heading in the next 2 to 5 years," Onaran mentions regarding the show's creators. Pioneering new things is what drives innovation.
Regardless of whether you loved or loathed the program, it was a trailblazer in 2014. The most victorious season was the fifth in 2018, averaging 2.96 million viewers - on Vox, a channel often seen as a 'feel-good' space, focusing on gentle topics like cooking and travel.
Amiaz Habtu, the moderator who fills a dressing room with shoes ("I just enjoy collecting shoes - and I prefer having the ideal pair for every outfit I wear."), recalls how other channels hesitated to experiment with such a format back then. "They said: This won't work in Germany, because in Germany, nobody discusses money. And definitely not about their bank balance." The 47-year-old has been a part of the show from its inception.
Habtu has a business administration background and understands the content. Simultaneously, he serves as an emotional crutch. He warmly welcomes founders who were sent packing with their supposedly brilliant idea. Habtu is responsible for the empathy in the format.
Lastly, it's worth noting how Ralf Dümmel somehow coordinates his shoe soles to match his pocket squares' colors. The answer might intrigue you. "When I purchase a shirt, I always get a matching pocket square crafted from the same fabric and in the same color as the shirt," he reveals.
Afterwards, he passes these inserts to a car wrapping specialist, who once wrapped his car for him. Dumbel asked him his preferences for colors back then. The man responded: all. Now, he has Dumbel's shoe soles wrapped in matching colors. "It's not a life-or-death situation, but I enjoy it," says Dumbel.
He opted for this arrangement.
Dümmel reflects on the impact of his decisions on the economy, mentioning, "If I fail to secure a deal, I just feel defeated."
The show's success has significantly contributed to the economy, with Tillman Schulz stating, "We 'Lions' and 'Lionesses' always say that they come with their 'baby' and want us to help raise it together."
