In an interview, Frank Thelen explains why his comeback in the anniversary episode of “Die Höhle der Löwen” was like “a little journey through time”.
Frank Thelen (48) is returning as an investor for the anniversary episode after his departure from the VOX founder show “Die Höhle der Löwen” (The Lion’s Den) (fourth broadcast of the season on September 23rd, 8:15 p.m. on VOX or RTL+). He is also returning with “original lion” Jochen Schweizer (67), about whom Thelen was critical after his departure from the show in 2016. “The way Jochen left the show was not fair in my opinion,” he said, among other things. In an interview with the news agency spot on news, Thelen reveals how he gets on with his fellow lion today, what the comeback on the show was like for him and whether he would return to the format in the long term.
From 2014 to 2020 you were part of the “Lion’s Den”. What prompted you to make your comeback for the anniversary?
Frank Thelen: I’m still in good contact with some of the lions, and I’ve become friends with Judith and Ralf. I also owe an incredible amount to the show. I was able to build up a voice for myself and am able to share my topics with almost 500,000 people on LinkedIn, for example. So I didn’t have to think long when the request came for the anniversary episode.
What were your plans for your return? Did you want to do anything differently?
Thelen: No, I’ve decided to return exactly as I left the show: as Frank. Of course, the dynamic is different now with all the new lions, but for the anniversary episode the production team brought the original lions together again – it’s almost like a little journey through time.
Which start-ups from your time on “The Lion’s Den” are you still working with today?
Thelen: We have built up a large and very successful food family with “DHDL”. We have now sold most of our investments and some companies, such as Pumperlgsund, have had to close. But we are also still working with 3Bears, which started a little slower but is now developing very strongly.
What moments from your time on “DHDL” have remained in your memory the most, both positively and negatively?
Thelen: “DHDL” made me known in DACH. That has advantages and disadvantages. Today I have a voice and people listen to me. I get a lot of valuable appointments and contacts. That’s great because it allows me to push the issues that concern me: innovation, technology, Europe. But of course it also brings challenges. For example, when I want to spend a relaxed evening with my wife and visitors want selfies. But that’s part of it and it’s OK.
Jochen Schweizer is also making a “DHDL” comeback. After his departure, you spoke quite negatively about him. What do you think about that today?
Thelen: We both talked things out long before filming began. We put the past behind us and got on well on set. After all, we’re full-grown lions (laughs).
How was the reunion with the other lions and lionesses?
Thelen: I’ve met Judith and Ralf from time to time over the last few years, but the reunion in the “cave” was still something special. It’s amazing how familiar the situation still feels.
What impression do you have of the “new” lions who were not there at your time?
Thelen: I didn’t meet any of the new Lions during my visit, as the old line-up was deliberately present here. But I can imagine that with so many different personalities and changing constellations there are also challenges that we had fewer of back then as a well-rehearsed team.
What has changed in the show since you left and what is still the same?
Thelen: The number of lions has changed and so has the dynamic between them. But one thing will probably never change: Ralf is still the deal king and is fully committed to it (laughs).
Did you continue to follow the show and the work of your colleagues after you left? Did you ever feel sad about leaving the show?
Thelen: To be honest, I only followed the format occasionally after I left because I was concentrating on Freigeist and my deep-tech investments. I have never regretted leaving the show because the last four years have been really crazy for us: Our Freigeist start-ups have launched hundreds of satellites into space, built one of the leading robotics solutions for medium-sized businesses in the heart of Munich with RobCo, we are working with a Cologne start-up on a cancer drug and are growing stem cells in a bioreactor with BioThrust. For me, it was the right step to concentrate on our Freigeist portfolio.
Could you imagine a long-term comeback to the show?
Thelen: Never say never. But right now I don’t have the time for a whole season.
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.
