“The Lion’s Den”
When everyone gets out, Ralf Dümmel snaps
There were a few deals again on “The Lion’s Den”.
© RTL / Bernd-Michael Maurer
Ralf Dümmel seizes his chance and “Milli’s Magic Cloths” awaken the hunting instinct in all lions – that was what happened with “The Lion’s Den”.
In the second episode of the 14th season of “Die Cave of the Lions” on Vox (also on RTL+), new lioness Tijen Onaran (38) grabs her first prey. A founding couple first awakens the hunting instinct of all founders, then makes one lion happy and two really angry…
New lioness grabs her first prey
Lena Pieper (40) and Anika Schmidt (37) from Tübingen founded a freelancing platform for mothers. FreeMOM is aimed at working mothers and aims to make it easier to combine family and work. Registration on the platform is free for mothers. You can create a profile with your qualifications, your hourly rate and your available working hours. An algorithm calculates which advertised projects match which parent. In order to be able to establish FreeMOM, the founders need 250,000 euros, for which they offer 15 percent of their company shares. “We are experienced HR professionals and working mothers,” introduce the founders, who would love to have new lioness Tijen Onaran by their side. Nils Glagau (47) gets straight to the point. “How do you earn your money?” The companies have to pay commissions, a premium model and a learning platform are planned. So far, however, the founders have only received 25 letters of intent from companies. Nils Glagau is not convinced, he gets out. Tillman Schulz (33) as well. “I see a big problem: the competition. That’s why I’m out.” “Not my core competence”, department store king Ralf Dümmel (56) pulls the ripcord. Dagmar Wöhrl (69) has doubts: “I think that the 250,000 euros in your area are far from enough. That’s why I’m out.” Dream lioness Tijen Onaran remains. “We would be the perfect match. I stand for women, but 15 percent is far too little.” She offers 250,000 euros for 30 percent. The women consult and offer 25 percent as a counter offer. Tijen does not give up and continues to negotiate. At 28 percent, the deal is dry. The new lioness grabs her first prey.
“Bello Eis” does not taste good to any lion
Which dog owner does not know the sad look of the four-legged friends when they go to the ice cream parlor again empty-handed. Christian Scaletta (40) from Piedmont wants to remedy the situation. Born in Italy, he developed “Bello Eis”, an ice cream for dogs that is easily tolerated. It doesn’t cause stomach ache, is 100 percent vegan, gluten-free and contains neither lactose nor white sugar. It tastes like rice milk and is slightly sweet. There is enough potential in Germany: every ninth German owns a dog, that is more than 10 million dogs. In order to make many dogs happy, Scaletta needs 100,000 euros and offers 15 percent of the company shares. The ice cream specialist brings the Newfoundland dog Fly into the lion’s cage, who immediately enjoys the “Bello Eis” and licks the cup. So far, the founder has sold 23,000 units in five months. The cup costs 3.50 euros. What dogs like, lions can taste too. Nils Glagau tries it, he doesn’t like it. Too chemical. “I don’t think the end user will buy it, I’m out.” Janna Ensthaler (39) also costs. “It tastes extremely sweet,” says the entrepreneur. “I believe in the pet market but I believe you need to grow slowly, I’m out.” Dagmar Wöhrl also gets out. “I don’t see the dog owner buying this ice cream in the winter.” Tillmann Schulz sees another problem. “Your ice cream is not protected, anyone can copy it. I think the product is cool, but it can be copied immediately. The big ones would overtake you. That’s why I don’t invest.” Carsten Maschmeyer doesn’t bite either. “Cool idea, but unsexy sales opportunity.” no deal And Christian Scaletta looks as sad as a dog in front of the ice cream parlor without “Bello Eis”.
“Milli’s magic towels” enchant all lions
Kristina (42) and Patrick Vock (40) are parents of a daughter who repeatedly suffered from a sore bottom. Nothing helped, not even grandmother’s advice. So the two decided to come up with a solution to alleviate their daughter’s ailments. The result: “Millis magic towels”, diaper inserts against chafing. The special thing about the insoles are small capsules that are worked into the cloth. These gradually open when you wear them and continuously supply the baby’s skin with moisture while it is being carried. The wipes are made in Germany, have been dermatologically tested and were rated “very good” in a clinical test. In the greater Hamburg area, the magic towels are already available in retail outlets and pharmacies. In order to sell their product throughout Germany, the parents need 80,000 and offer 20 percent. 6500 packs have been sold so far, one costs 4.99 euros. A small dragon distributes the cloths to the lions. All lions are excited. So the hunt is on. What follows is not often found in the “Lion’s Den”. Ralf Dümmel begins. “You’re absolutely amazing, I think you can make a huge story out of it. Would be great. I’m offering 80,000 for 20 percent.” Dagmar Wöhrl also wants to get on board. “It’s not that often that someone comes in here and is already that well positioned. You are the brand too, I want to raise the baby with you.” Tijen Onaran is also keen on the deal. “I know about brands, I’m one myself.” An offer follows from Tillmann Schulz. “I have two small children. I will accept the offer. I would really like to do something with you.” And with Nils Glagau, the last lion also wants to invest. “You have made a really good product. I would open new doors for you. I would really like to do something with you.” Five lions make an offer, the founders ultimately decide on Nils Glagau. Tears of happiness flow from the parents, frustration reigns in four lions. Ralf Dümmel looks grim and sulks, Tillmann Schulz is also really angry. Deal for “Milli’s magic towels”.
“Klangio” fades away unsuccessfully
Alexander Lüngen (29) and Sebastian Murgul (28) from Karlsruhe have developed an app to recognize music notes. Sebastian got the idea for “Klangio” from his little sister. When she wanted to replay a saved melody on her electric piano, the notes were missing. With the app, she can now convert the melody into notes. “We create new ways of making music with AI,” the founders imagine the lions. The app is already available in different versions. In order to market “Klangio” nationally and internationally, they need 300,000 euros and offer 10 percent of the company shares. The app has been on the market since 2017, works as a subscription model and costs EUR 9.99 per month. Alexander and Sebastian work in a team of eight. That makes personnel costs of 16,000 euros. The costs are too high for Nils Glagau, he gets out immediately. Carsten Maschmeyer throws in the towel for the same reason. Janna Ensthaler is also going. Dagmar Wöhrl follows the dropouts. You lack entrepreneurship. Tijen Onaran remains. “I think you’re both really good, but I don’t have that much affinity for the topic, so I’m out.” No deal for “Klangio”.
When all the lions get out, Ralf Dümmel likes to snap
Almost everyone knows the problem: When using the toilet brush, it usually drips onto the glasses or onto the floor and liquid collects in the brush holder. This is not only annoying, but also unhygienic. Agnes Bings (58) and Jan Dülken (46) want to change this with their invention “Dripoff-Pad”. The anti-wet pad is placed in the toilet brush holder, where it absorbs and holds the residual water from the brush. This also prevents the formation of odors and reduces the formation of germs. The pads can be used universally and fit all standard toilet brush sets. If they turn blue, they should be replaced. The founders want to make the insert a million-seller. For this they need 80,000 euros and offer 25 percent of their company. So far they have invested 50,000 euros in their company and made a turnover of 220 euros. A set with several pads costs 6.99. They make the granules themselves. Dagmar Wöhrl does not mention the invention at all. “I’m still old fashinoned, I do it myself. It’s not an investment for me, I’m out of it.” Janna Ensthaler sees the benefit, but: “I see too much plastic packaging, so I’m out.” Nils Glagau is not convinced either. “The packaging doesn’t appeal to me either, so I get out.” Tillmann Schulz is also allergic to the packaging. “You want to avoid plastic waste, I’m out.” Will the “dripoff pad” end up reaching into the toilet? That leaves Ralf Dümmel. “So…” he begins. “Twice I’ve seen all four lions cancel and then it was a success story. I think it’s a problem solver. The product is great, the packaging needs to be better, I’m offering you 33 percent for 80,000.” A stone or a pad falls from the hearts of the founders. Deal for “Dripoff Pad”.