Laura Valentin offers a “natural Botox alternative” in the lion’s den with After Inject. She wants ten percent for 200,000 euros. In the end, Judith Williams wins the race.
Eternal youth without a needle – that’s what Laura Valentin (29) promises with her startup After Inject. The first thing she does is formulate her offer: “For 200,000 today I will give you eternal youth, without any injection and for 10 percent of my startup.”
Valentin used to work as a criminal police officer and now sells cosmetics. Their core product is a Natural Botulin Serum, which is intended to act like a natural Botox alternative.
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From the police service to the beauty business
With After Inject, Valentin has built a complete skin care range around her active ingredient complex. In addition to the serum, this includes facial oil, lifting cream and cleansing cream. Last year, Valentin achieved profitable sales of around two million euros. According to the founder, the product is sold primarily online via her own shop and platforms such as Amazon. Frank Thelen just says: “Wow.”
Two million in sales, without influencers
The lions are particularly surprised by how this turnover comes about. When asked, Valentin explains: “About Meta, i.e. via Facebook and Instagram marketing.” Influencer marketing is only planned for the future.
Dagmar Wöhrl follows up: “I’m really excited now. It’s very rare for someone to come in here and say: ‘I already have two million euros in sales.’ What do you actually want from us?” Valentin answers: “That’s why I’m standing here today, because there are so many marketing channels that we haven’t even exhausted yet.” She wants more growth, more channels and more reach – for example via teleshopping.
Criticism of product know-how
Despite strong numbers, there are doubts among the lions. Thelen says: “You seem very competent in marketing. But I’m worried about your competence in the product.” Valentin explains that he acquired knowledge himself through YouTube, books and coaching. She also works closely with manufacturers as well as agencies and freelancers. She doesn’t have any employees. According to their own statement, their retention rate is 25 percent. Carsten Maschmeyer remains skeptical: “At first I thought: know-how and then: No wow. Because I see black, I’m out.”
Three lions want to get in
Investor Wöhrl is also leaving. “I have to listen to my gut,” she says. However, things get serious with the other lions. Thelen initially offers 200,000 euros for 25 percent, but later goes down to 20 percent when Ralf Dümmel and Judith Williams each offer 200,000 euros for 20 percent. Dümmel says: “I would love to do that with you. I really want it.”
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Decision with gut feeling
Valentin briefly seeks advice from her father and then decides on Williams. “I had a tendency right from the start and followed my gut feeling,” she says. Williams is excited about the deal: “I’m happy. We’ll get together immediately.” This means After Inject gets the 200,000 euros, but for 20 percent of the company shares. However, when asked by Gründerszene, a spokesman for Williams said that the deal did not come about after the broadcast.