Shark Tank investor Frank Thelen makes a return to the Shark Tank
The Vox show "Die Höhle der Löwen" is gearing up for its next round, starting on August 25, 2025. This season promises to be more thrilling than ever, with the introduction of a new segment called "Battle-Pitches".
In this segment, two founder teams will face off in a one-minute pitch, with only one getting the chance to present their product to the lions in full. The other team is immediately eliminated, increasing the competitive pressure and heightening the show's tension for viewers.
Frank Thelen, a regular investor on the show from 2014 to 2020, is returning as a permanent investor alongside Dagmar Wöhrl, Judith Williams, Ralf Dümmel, Carsten Maschmeyer, and Janna Ensthaler. For Thelen, "Die Höhle der Löwen" feels like coming home. He views the show as a place where ideas become businesses and describes his return as a "special comeback".
The new season will also feature a segment called the "Ankunftsbereich" (arrival area), where founders meet the moderator Amiaz Habtu just before their pitch. This segment captures the raw emotions, nervousness, and excitement of the start-ups right before their presentation, providing authentic behind-the-scenes insights into the founders' experience.
If a founder or team does not convince the lions in the "Battle-Pitches" round, they must leave the "Höhle" immediately. This format aims to intensify the pressure on the founders and enhance engagement for the audience during the show's 18th season.
Tune in to "Die Höhle der Löwen" starting August 25 to witness the intense competition and see which start-ups will make it through the "Battle-Pitches" and capture the lions' attention.
Viewers can anticipate heightened entertainment with the introduction of the "Battle-Pitches" segment in the upcoming season of "Die Höhle der Löwen," where two start-ups engage in a high-stakes, one-minute pitch contest, a competition that brings unparalleled pressure and raises the show's suspense. Meanwhile, the authentic "Ankunftsbereich" segment offers an intimate glimpse into the raw emotions, anticipation, and nervousness of the founders as they prepare for their pitches, adding an additional layer of entertainment.
