From electric motorcycles to insect burgers: More than 750 young entrepreneurs have already presented their business ideas on the Vox show. One of the original lionesses is back after a break.
The investor show “Die Höhle der Löwen” on Vox is turning ten years old – and is celebrating its anniversary with a particularly prominent line-up of investors. In the show, company founders and inventors present their ideas and solicit venture capital and business participation from prominent investors.
Judith Williams back after break
Judith Williams, beauty expert and lioness from the very beginning, is back after a year’s break, as Vox announced. “The permanent lion pack of the anniversary season also includes family entrepreneur Dagmar Wöhrl, retail professional Ralf Dümmel, CEO Nils Glagau, green tech investor Janna Ensthaler, business luminary Carsten Maschmeyer, opinion maker Tijen Onaran and food expert Tillman Schulz.” Amiaz Habtu has been the show’s presenter since the start.
The anniversary season with eight new episodes begins on September 2nd at 8:15 p.m. on Vox and on RTL+. “The anniversary episode on September 23rd will be nostalgic. The two “original lions” Jochen Schweizer and Frank Thelen are returning to the pack for a one-off and have a lot to tell,” says the broadcaster.
TV format as a “mirror of society”
“‘The Lion’s Den’ is always a mirror of society,” said the responsible Vox manager Katja Rieger. “We show products that are currently en vogue – be it in the food or beauty sector. In recent years, the topics of sustainability, climate change, healthy eating, social responsibility and mental health have increasingly come into focus.”
“The Lion’s Den” has been running on Vox since August 19, 2014. The original was developed in Japan in 2001 and only ran for three seasons. Sony Pictures International is currently distributing the format as the show idea “Dragons’ Den” in 31 countries.
Around 18,000 founders have applied in the ten years, according to Vox. “772 pitches were broadcast. 418 deals were made.” The youngest founder was 16 years old: Valeria Weingardt presented the oral and skin care product “Betula Natura” in season 15. The oldest founder was 88 years old: Albrecht Schnitzer showed a balance bike for seniors in season 14.
With the sauce came the tears
The strangest foods the lions have tried in ten years were an insect burger (Bug Foundation, Season 5), hot sauce that brought tears to investor Vural Öger’s eyes (Mexican Tears, Season 1), seaweed lemonade (Helga, Season 4) and a laxative green plum (Laxplum, Louie’s Green Plum, Season 11).
The most expensive product ever presented in the cave cost 32,000 euros: the electric motorcycle from “Novus” (season 10).
Source: Stern
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
