Sponges made from dried loofah cucumbers called “Le Gurque” were well received in the “Lion’s Den”. But the deal between the Hamburg start-up and two lionesses ultimately didn’t materialize.
The sustainable dishwashing sponge “Le Gurque” inspired investors in the start-up show “The Lion’s Den”. Instead of plastic, which will soon end up in plastic waste, the eco-alternative is made from dried loofah cucumbers, a pumpkin plant. “Thanks to us, you’ll be washing up with vegetables in the future,” announced the founders Leonie Eißele and Niklas Heinzerling in the latest edition of the TV show.
The lions competed for a deal with the Hamburg start-up. Series investor Ralf Dümmel wanted to get on board together with Judith Williams, but the founding duo accepted the competitive offer from family entrepreneur Dagmar Wöhrl and guest lioness Sarna Röser. The two investors promised to invest 100,000 euros in the start-up.
Ultimately, however, the cucumber deal with the lions did not materialize, as it became known after the show was broadcast. “We are very sad about it because we think Niklas and Leonie’s product is awesome,” Wöhrl said on Twitter. “However, after filming, we realized that we wanted to pursue different strategies. We wish them all the best!”
Founders continue on their own
The founding duo speaks of a joint decision by all those involved, but is not too disappointed about the bursting of the deal. “An investment has many advantages, but owning the company alone also has it,” they explain in the “Hamburger Abendblatt”. Without the money of the investors, but completely self-determined, they have continued alone since the appearance in the “Lion’s Den”, which was recorded a year ago.
Eißele and Heinzerling, who are also a couple privately, can benefit from the attention of the TV show without investing. They pre-produced 25,000 cucumber sponges just in time for the broadcast in order to be able to serve all orders in their online shop. In addition to the loofah sponge “Le Gurque”, her sustainability startup “The Closest Loop” also offers rags made from recycled bed linen and a waste paper sack called “Pappe La Papp”.
Source: Stern
Jane Stock is a technology author, who has written for 24 Hours World. She writes about the latest in technology news and trends, and is always on the lookout for new and innovative ways to improve his audience’s experience.
