“The Lion’s Den”
Trivida reinvents the roller skate wheel
Kristina Vogel (left) with the “Trividia” founders.
© RTL / Bernd-Michael Maurer
The founders of “Trividia” present an innovative wheelchair – with prominent support.
Prominent support for the founders of Trivida in the third episode of the VOX show “DHDL” (also on RTL+). The 17-time world champion and two-time Olympic champion in track racing Kristina Vogel (31) ventures into the lion’s den as a brand ambassador and wants to help improve the lives of people in wheelchairs. “An absolute highlight in DHDL,” says Carsten Maschmeyer (63), enthusiastic about this invention.
One of the biggest deals in the “Lion’s Den”
“This is about more than just bringing a product onto the market” – for 50 years, founder Christian has been working on his idea of improving the lives of people in wheelchairs and giving them a little more self-determination. Brand ambassador Kristina Vogel knows the everyday worries of people in wheelchairs only too well. In 2018, the athlete suffered a training accident and has been paralyzed since then.
Together with his business partner Christine and her father Wolf-Dietrich, the founder “reinvented the wheel”. But the investment will not be cheap, because 1,000,000 euros are required for a company share of 10 percent. The special thing about the “Trivida” wheelchair is that the wheels on the chair can be divided into three components. This makes it easier for a wheelchair user to heave himself onto a sofa or the toilet.
In addition, the founders bring everything that a lion would wish for. The wheelchair wheels are paid for by the health insurance companies, patents have already been obtained and “Trivida” has also been TÜV-tested. “Rarely experienced something so strong,” says Nils Glagau (46), impressed. “These are the moments when you sit here and say wow,” says Ralf Dümmel (55) enthusiastically, but cannot help on an international market and is therefore out. Carsten Maschmeyer, Dagmar Wöhrl (68) and Nico Rosberg (37) join forces for 20 percent of the company’s share in the deal.
Nils Glagau invests in breast milk cosmetics
With “Memoire” Björn and Lefke present a very special product, because the main component of their cosmetics is breast milk. The founders are convinced that the natural cream can heal skin problems in children. For this, mothers pump their milk, send it in and “Memoire” processes the breast milk into powder. This powder can then be applied to the skin in combination with a lotion. But the numbers do not speak for a good investment, only 50 units were sold in four months. “I find that extremely niche,” says Dagmar Wöhrl, unconvinced. Quite different Nils Glagau. The lion offers the desired 60,000 euros, but demands 30 percent of the company instead of 25 percent. No problem for the couple, who are happy to have Nils Glagau on their team.
There is an invention by students for students with Johannes and Valentin. The two 19-year-olds always got upset about impractical folders at school and took the problem into their own hands with “Next Folder”. Metal rings often interfered with filing and made writing in a binder uncomfortable. With plastic rings from the home 3D printer, the young inventors want to offer an improved version of the well-known stapler. “Cool design, cool style” is the first thing Nils Glagau notices. Since Johannes and Valentin were still minors when they founded the company, Grandma Margit stepped in for them. “Grandma Margit, your company is gone now,” explains Ralf Dümmel, who is the only lion to make an offer and agree to the desired 80,000 euros for a 30 percent share in the company.
“It doesn’t pay off!”
Tasty product, but the numbers don’t add up. Marcel and Dayan spoil the lions with their Latin American street food. Mangoes are used to cut long spaghetti that are seasoned in different ways. Both as a spicy or sweet version or classic with lime and salt. The “flavor explosion” of “Mango Mates” inspires Carsten Maschmeyer, but the lions lose their appetite when it comes to the numbers. “It doesn’t pay off!”. Although the product is well received, the founders’ uncertainty with the numbers prevents a deal.
With the help of artificial intelligence, no more mice in the house – that’s the invention “Kitty Flap” by Jean-Paul and his two daughters. A cat flap that only opens when the cat doesn’t have a mouse in its mouth. A camera above the cat flap, image recognition software and an algorithm are used to detect whether the cat has something in its mouth or not. But so far there is only one prototype, and it would take a year before it would be ready for the market. Too long for the lions and therefore no deal.