"Is this 'Verstehen Sie Spaß?'": "Lion's Den" starts earlier than ever - and with a daring condom pitch - Germany's Shark Tank Returns With Global Founders and a High-Stakes Twist
Germany's Shark Tank (Die Höhle der Löwen) is back for its 19th season, launching earlier than ever on Monday, February 23, 2026. The show returns to VOX at 8:15 PM with eight fresh episodes packed with global founders, celebrity entrepreneurs, and bold business ideas—from AI innovations to quirky everyday solutions.
This season introduces a new twist: the 'Founder Battle'. In the first episode, two startups face off for extra pitch time, but only one moves forward. Among the contenders are Bierbommel, a hands-free drink carrier for stadiums, and Lubell, a fragrance-dispensing bracelet. Another standout is Concard, a wallet sleeve designed to protect condoms.
The investor panel remains unchanged, featuring Dagmar Wöhrl, Judith Williams, Ralf Dümmel, Carsten Maschmeyer, Janna Ensthaler, and Frank Thelen. But the founders bring fresh diversity. For the first time, the show highlights international teams from Ecuador, Dubai, Austria, and Switzerland—adding a global flavour absent in earlier seasons. Local names like ex-boxer Axel Schulz and entrepreneur Laurenz Pesch also join the mix.
Earlier seasons (1–18) focused mostly on German startups, with little emphasis on international pitches. Now, the 19th season marks a shift, showcasing founders from multiple countries and a wider range of unconventional products.
The new season runs for eight episodes, blending high-stakes battles with a broader mix of ideas and backgrounds. Viewers can expect a mix of tech, lifestyle products, and celebrity-driven pitches when the show airs on VOX. The expanded international lineup suggests a growing focus on global entrepreneurship in the series.
