Supernutural brings the “Nutbooster” to end consumers – the lions are thrilled, Thelen, Anne and Stefan invest €500,000 for 10%.
Sometimes you don’t need an app, an AI or a gadget with a flashing display in the cave, just fresh nuts. Amelie (42) and Timo (44) Sperber from Munich are competing in “The Lions’ Den” with an offer of 500,000 euros for 6.25 percent of the company shares, with a valuation of around eight million euros. A tough nut to crack, in the truest sense of the word.
From California to Munich – and into risk
The couple met 20 years ago and since 2015 they have been living entirely for their startup. That’s when they quit their jobs, inspired by a peanut machine in California, and founded Supernutural. The idea: 100 percent nuts go in at the top, 100 percent fresh nut cream comes out at the bottom, with no additives, no added sugar, no preservatives. Freshly pressed at the touch of a button.
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They started with a large professional machine for the hotel industry, companies and professional sports. Today their machines are in 40 countries, including top international clubs such as Liverpool FC and Olympic gold medal teams as paying customers. In total they have achieved sales of over five million euros, including 2.5 million in the last two years. They make a living from their startup, but are not yet fully profitable. That’s why they’re in the cave.
Make your own nut cream at home
After the B2B story, the end consumer market should now follow. The “Nutbooster” as a device for the home is the real pitch. Almonds, hazelnuts, pistachios, as well as variants with chocolate, pineapple or coconut turn into cream within seconds. The lions can go ahead and tap their own nut cream.
The reactions are accordingly. Stefan Lemcke says: “That’s really cool. It tastes great.” But adds: “It also tastes high in calories.” Sperber counters dryly: “Those are the good fats.” Frank Thelen then adds: “That’s awesome. I’ve been able to try a lot of products in the Lion’s Den, but this completely blows me away.” And Anne Lemcke adds: “This is the tastiest thing I’ve eaten in the last six months. Really wonderful.”
1,500 euros or 39 euros per month – premium remains premium
The business model: The machine costs 1,500 euros or alternatively 39 euros per month as a subscription. The founders want to invest exclusively in the new B2C machine. This is exactly where Thelen becomes skeptical. If you run the big B2B machine at the same time, you are in a sense competing with yourself. “Do you understand that it is uninvestable for me as an investor?” he asks. The founder answers: “But the old machine is the fax machine.”
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Ralf Dümmel is the first to make a decision: “Firstly: You are incredible. You have a self-confident and down-to-earth appearance. But a household appliance for the home for 39 euros a month or 1500 euros is a premium product. There will be a market for it, but that’s not my market. That’s why I’m out, unfortunately.”
Carsten Maschmeyer puts it differently: “I really like the cream. I don’t like the fact that the sales are flat linear. I don’t like the fact that there are no real recurring sales secured by contracts, and I don’t like a valuation of around 8 million either.” Judith Williams also gets out: “First of all, compliments. Fantastic taste and interesting concept. What worries me is that sales have become so consistent. That’s why I’m out.”
Three lions, one offer – it’s never been like this before
Thelen and the Lemckes remain inside. Thelen sums it up: “It tastes outstanding. You’ve achieved great success with it. The challenge is to build a champion company from your idea. The business model itself is outstanding. How do you manage to turn it into a fast-growing company again? That’s a lot of work!”
This is exactly the work they want to tackle together. “The combination of us is a lot of power and we are keen to do it together and put in the work,” says Thelen. “We’re going into electronics, with Anne we have one of the best minds in marketing. Stefan has a lot of operational power.” Lemcke adds: “I believe that there is still something that can be done about the product.” They also want to talk about the price.
Then the offer: “We’ll give you the 500,000 euros, we’ll give you our hearts, our hands, our head, we’ll help, but we need 10 percent for it,” says Thelen. A three-way combination that has never existed before in the history of the show.
The founders accept. When asked by Gründerszene, it was also confirmed after the broadcast: the deal was made. Since the recording, a lot has happened for Amelie and Timo from Supernutural, according to investors. In addition to a new online shop, another product made from recycled materials has been added, the “Nutbooster Mini”, and the team has also set up new production in order to significantly reduce the manufacturing costs of the Nutbooster Pro. The exchange continues to define future cooperation. Now a B2B success story with freshly pressed nuts is turning into an attempt to crack the next nut in the consumer market.
