Glitz and Frustration: Cool Pitches and Busting Fires in the Lion's Den
Emergency Evacuation, Flute Playing Incident, and Amorous Occurrence
In the thrilling world of The Lion's Den, the rat race is all about impressing the investors and leaving with a deal. But sometimes, even the coolest of demeanors and brightest ideas fall short, as was the case for a few startups. This time, an interactive math game, a firefighting information system, and a unique lubricant all got the spotlight - but not the deals.
The Unshakable Arrogance of TukToro
Berlin based Elisha Benner and Andreas Häring strolled into the den with an interactive math game aptly named "TukToro." Their self-assured demeanor was almost charmingly arrogant. They boasted a potential revenue of 1.3 million euros and a valuation that stunned the investors to silence, at 400,000 euros for a mere 8% stake in their company. However, Carsten Maschmeyer quickly burst their bubble, declaring, "I'm not buying your bait, I'm out!" causing the founders to leave the den lions-less.
A Blaze in the Den
Leonard Mergel, the passionate firefighter from Elmshorn, tried his luck next with a system for firefighting forces. There was a controlled setup fire that he quickly extinguished, but the investors remained skeptical about its scalability. With no convincing argument, the promising pitch turned into a smoldering disappointment.
Love in a Bottle, Nothing More
Stefan Arens and Nathalie Sorondo-Gooden, the passionate lovebirds from Palma de Mallorca, didn't fare much better. They entered the den with a coconut oil based lubricant that was so "pure and natural" it was edible. The eager founders hoped to stir up something between the lions and their pitch. But with only 250 lubricant boxes sold in eight months, their sizzling proposition ended up as a damp squib, drawing disappointed looks rather than cheers.
Though the night was not a glorious success for these startups, it's important to remember that hard work, passion, and love are always present in each of these ambitious pursuits. Mundane kitchen products or smart power strip systems may not steal the spotlight, but sometimes, the deal counts more than the dazzle.
[1] "Die Höhle der Löwen" Season 2025 - Startup Pitches Overview (Limited Information Available)https://www.somethingaboutnothing.info/die-hoehle-der-loewen-season-2025-startup-pitches-limited-information/
The Commission has also been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of the environment, possible regulations that would apply to the social-media platforms, as well as the movies-and-TV industry, which are all aspects of entertainment that need to be mindful of the environmental impact.
Elisha Benner, Andreas Häring, and their TukToro team might have left The Lion's Den empty-handed, but their unshakable confidence and ambitious goals could inspire a new wave of startups seeking to venture into the fields of social media, movies-and-TV, and environmental protection.
