Now in its 19th season, the successful VOX start-up show “The Lions’ Den” (DHDL) is once again all about spectacular business ideas, extraordinary pitches and competitive deals. The lion jury this spring season includes the Regal Lion Ralf Dümmelthe venture capital lioness Janna Entsthalerthe Sales Lion Carsten Maschmeyerthe beauty lioness Judith Williamsthe family lioness Dagmar Wöhrl and the startup lion Frank Thelen.
The DHDL startups of the week
Easy Exit Card from Paderborn
A moment of carelessness, a serious accident, trapped people and every second counts! The lions themselves have also experienced situations like this. In “The Lions’ Den,” Judith Williams, Ralf Dümmel and Janna Ensthaler report dramatic moments in which they or their children were locked in cars or couldn’t get out after accidents. It is precisely for such emergencies that Bernd Lüke (56), Stephan Pannhorst (57) and Sylvain Victor (54) want to offer a simple rescue solution for everyone with their Easy Exit Card. The compact, credit card-sized rescue tool is designed to help you quickly destroy car windows to free trapped people or rescue yourself from a vehicle. The idea arose from the founders’ many years of experience in the SIM card industry and from Bernd’s practice: “I have been in the volunteer fire department for many years. If we do not have access to an injured person, every second counts. Then it is particularly important to create an initial opening in order to be able to help,” says Bernd Lüke. The card consists of a specially reinforced plastic and a hardened punch. If it is pushed between the window and the door seal and moved with a short pull of the lever, the side window will break. The card works from both the outside and the inside. Thanks to its flat credit card format, it can be stored in the car behind the sun visor, in your handbag or in your wallet. A special cover protects against the sharp thorn and also contains a belt cutter. In addition to traffic accidents, the founders also see other possible uses, e.g. B. when children or animals are locked in a car in summer. The three founders are offering 25 percent of their shares in the newly founded company for 100,000 euros and want a partner who will support them, especially in sales. Will the lions carry the rescue tool in their cars?
Yogiti from Mönchengladbach
Appointments, school, digital stimuli and less and less exercise: the everyday lives of many children today are characterized by stress and screen time. Fei Schäfer (40) wants to start right here. The mother of two presents her startup YOGITIER in the “Lion’s Den” and wants to get children more exercise and inner balance in a playful way. The founder’s path is anything but ordinary: Born in China, she came to Germany 16 years ago for love and only learned the language here. Now she stands in front of the investors and presents her own product idea. “When I look into the eyes of children, I see pure joy. At the same time, I notice how much stress our children already have today. We urgently need to create a counterbalance,” explains Fei Schäfer. Your solution: child-friendly yoga mats made of natural rubber that are non-slip, machine washable and feature colorful animal motifs. “The yoga mat is a designer carpet in the children’s room and is a symbol of daily balance,” says the founder. Complemented by a memory game with yoga exercises, children should discover yoga in a playful way and become more aware of their bodies. With a lot of energy and a short yoga session in the middle of the studio, the founder and her young helpers show how much fun exercise can be. For the next step in growth, Fei Schäfer needs 100,000 euros and is offering ten percent of her company shares in return. Can she convince the lions of her mission?
LipoCheck from Leipzig/Munich
Heavy legs, pain, rapid exhaustion and inexplicable bruises – this is everyday life for many women. But it often takes a lot of time before the correct diagnosis is made. This is exactly where a family startup wants to start: Helena Rapprich (29), her sister Anina Langhans (32) and her father Dr. Stefan Rapprich (60) present their health platform LipoCheck in the “Lion’s Den”. The idea arose from his father’s daily work: The dermatologist and vein specialist has been treating patients with lipedema, a painful fat distribution disorder that often remains undetected for a long time, for over 30 years. “I often see how desperate patients are because they can’t find a suitable doctor or are not taken seriously. Many wait years until they get a diagnosis and thus appropriate therapy,” explains Dr. Stefan Rapprich. With LipoCheck, the family wants to close the gap in care. The digital platform is intended to make it easier for those affected from the first suspicion to treatment. Using a medical questionnaire, body data and photos, users can have their information checked by specialized doctors and receive a specialist assessment with individual therapy recommendations within a few days. Those affected like Annika also know the long road to diagnosis: “My physiotherapist had expressed suspicion of lipedema at the time. But it was very difficult to find a doctor who had enough experience to confirm the diagnosis. It took several years until I was finally certain,” she reports. In addition to diagnosis, the platform also offers long-term support with tips on exercise, nutrition and self-management. To further expand their digital health offering, the founding family needs 300,000 euros and is offering five percent of their company shares. Can they convince the lions?
MySpirulina from Kiel
Ben Schwedhelm (24) and Sara Farzaneh Nejad (25) enter “The Lion’s Den” with an idea that immediately makes superfood fans curious: MYSPIRULINA, the smart spirulina farm for your home. Their goal: Every household should be able to grow their own spirulina algae – fresh, nutrient-rich and without laboratory knowledge. Spirulina is considered a real superfood. The microalgae provides proteins, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants and is valued worldwide for its health benefits. MYSPIRULINA brings this superfood directly into kitchens. The starter kit makes cultivation child’s play: water, nutrient medium and spirulina strain in the jar, put the lid on, put it on the windowsill in the sun and the rest runs automatically. The smart farm monitors light and growth, ensures optimal conditions and eliminates the need to care for the algae. After about ten days, the spirulina can be harvested and integrated fresh into shakes, desserts or savory dishes. The concept is sustainable, transparent and guarantees maximum nutrient density. A subscription model for the nutrient medium keeps the cultures permanently fresh. Ben and Sara are hoping for an investment of 200,000 euros for ten percent of the company shares in order to further expand their project and bring spirulina into even more households. But the rating causes a lot of discussion between founders and lions…
Scharfenstein from Cologne
Temptation time in the lion’s den! When reality star Laurenz Pesch (24) gives the lionesses and lions his Scharfenstein T-shirt to sniff, it immediately becomes clear: this is about much more than fashion. The Cologne founders Tim Scharfenstein (24) and Kai Sven Brehmer-Scharfenstein (30) rely on an innovative microencapsulation technology that stores scents in textiles and releases them again when rubbed. The lionesses Judith Williams and Janna Ensthaler are visibly impressed: Both are surprised at how fresh the T-shirt smells, even after wearing it for a long time: “The man smells good. Delicious,” is the verdict on the reality star. The technology works sustainably and comfortably: Tiny microcapsules are embedded directly into the fabric, activate through heat and movement and release your favorite scent over several days. This keeps clothes fresh without compromising comfort, care or fragrance. The founders Tim Scharfenstein, trained at a pharmaceutical company, and Kai Sven Brehmer-Scharfenstein, a medical student, have also been intensively involved with longevity for years. At launch, the range includes T-shirts and sweaters, with the capsules being refillable. An innovation for the fashion industry? The lions are unsure. Scharfenstein is fighting for a deal worth 100,000 euros for 25 percent of the company shares, but one investor after another is pulling out. In the end, your nerves are on edge and tears flow. Out of joy or disappointment?
Tip: Everything about the Vox founder show can be found in our big one DHDL section.
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