“The Lions Den”: Three Investors for Global Sustainability

“Lion’s Lair”
Three Investors for Global Sustainability

by Kai Butterwake
4/4/2022, 10:50 PM

The opening sequence of the new “The Lions Den” season is all about environmental awareness. In addition to a little bicycle bag revolution, Lions is happy about a reusable system for (almost) plastic-free hair bands and shipping boxes.

The eleventh “Die Hohle der Löwen” season comes before the first pitch at home. Already in a three-minute clip, the successful start-up format boasts about records, innovations and exciting guests. The first excitement was not long in coming. Along with the two founders “Stepcase” Karl Fischer and Leander Meliz, the youngest pitch duo in the history of the format present themselves.

Two 17-year-old bicycle fans are creating a stir in the lion’s den not only because of their age. The “2Bag” Bicycle Hanging Bag He brought along with the backpack, Aachen’s young inventors made a mark. Slowly, investors’ eyes are widening. In the end, all the lions present – ​​Judith Williams, George Köffler, Nils Glagau, Carsten Maschmeyer and Ralph Dummel – compete for the services of Karl and Leander. After two intense consulting breaks, the founders finally decide in favor of Nils Glagau: “Yeah, we’re going to make this really big!”, the Orthomol boss cheers, while Ralph Dümmel barks grimly.

“We have to take 49 percent together…”

The latter is also allowed to jump out of his chair, swaying with joy at the start of the new season. Introducing “The Easiest Table To Pull Out” (“LAIK”) in the world, Ralph Dummel and his colleague George Köffler are already very close. Here, however, the meeting still fails as the valuation of the company is “too high” (about 3.5 million euros). “We have to take 49 percent of this together,” explains George Köffler. Soon after, however, the DS Boss clenched his fist.

FAIRHAIR founders Fabian Frey and Wolfgang Schimphal, who corner the wild wigs and organic cotton hair bands (bands are made from 88 percent organic cotton and 12 percent recycled plastic), fit exactly the Hanseatic hunting plan. One question has to be clarified before the deal can budge: “Can you even do this in a version entirely without plastic?” Ralph Dummel wants to know. The two founders show all available thumbs up: “We’re already working on it, we’ll definitely get it done,” respond Fabian and Wolfgang. Then loudly “Yeah!” Through the lion’s den. Deal dumb!

“Beer Fruit” Despair in Heaven

Pleasure is great. The climax of the first episode is yet to reach. After two “beer fruit beer brothers” Clemens August von Frieden and Michael Stettmann, who unfortunately leave empty handed, Philipp Bondulich and Michelle Reid, who are allergic to packaging waste, introduce themselves to the curious eyes of the lions: “The issue of reusability must be approached afresh”, demand the founders.

The Germans send 37 billion parcels every year. With the “SendMePack” reusable system for shipping cartons, this number should be reduced significantly in the future. Scalable and promising gets all the lion’s attention on the big picture scene. Suddenly two groups of investors chatting in the background. Soon after, Michelle and Philip are spoiled for choice. Who can join the “SendMePack” boat?

In the end it is Judith Williams, Carsten Mashmeyer and Dagmar Vohr who clap with enthusiasm. George Koffler and Nico Rosberg take it sporty: “We congratulate you on this great collaboration!” George Koffler finally put on the record. Then the lion’s cage is closed. Great Founder, Enthusiastic Investor: First deals are in the bag. So it can run.

“The Lions Den” now airs Mondays at 8:15 p.m. on Vox and it’s also RTL+ . Feather Available.