Tears flow over start-up idea: “The Lion’s Den”: Can dogs smell lung cancer?

For the anniversary episode, Jochen Schweizer (67) and Frank Thelen (48) return to the investor chairs of “Die Höhle der Löwen” (Mondays, 8:15 p.m., on VOX or RTL+) after a long break. However, there is little time for sentimentality. Because they have to concentrate fully on the new business ideas. They are faced with highly emotional business decisions that extend into their family life.

“If that’s true, it’s a total revolution”

Brigitte Steinmeyer (61) is a guest on “The Lion’s Den” for the second time. The beautician from the Swiss city of Zug was unable to make a deal on her first visit. With her new beauty product, the “Diamazing Beauty Serum”, everything is set to change. The serum contains tiny elements of cultured diamonds and hyaluronic molecules. In addition to its firming and rejuvenating effect, the serum is also said to act as a natural sunscreen. Beauty specialist Judith Williams (53) is enthusiastic: “If that’s true, then it’s a total revolution.”

The entrepreneur is offering ten percent of the company shares for 100,000 euros. She has already achieved sales of 260,000 euros with the serum. Not surprising: While the serum costs 15 euros to produce, it is sold in stores for a remarkable 139 euros. Ralf Dümmel (57) finds the sales price “far too high” and is pulling out. Jochen Schweizer and Carsten Maschmeyer (65) also remain skeptical about the serum.

Meanwhile, Judith Williams and Frank Thelen are talking to each other – and make the beauty entrepreneur an offer. “We would invest 100,000 euros, but for 40 percent.” Will the entrepreneur accept? She thinks about it for a moment, then she is completely enthusiastic: “We’ll do the deal.” Carsten Maschmeyer and Jochen Schweizer remain skeptical. “She says to herself: ‘I can’t do it anyway, I’ll take the straw,'” says Maschmeyer. Frank Thelen counters with a smile: “It’s really enough to call us the straw.”

“I’m out, but my heart is still in”

Dogs’ sense of smell is said to be up to 10,000 times more sensitive than that of humans. But can a dog detect potential lung cancer from the breath of a sick person? In their business proposal, dog trainer Florian Wienen (34) from Erkelenz and his business partner Alexander Maßen (47) claim that their dogs from “DogScan” can sniff out lung cancer in the early stages. Doctor Ali Bouklloâ (36) from Düsseldorf makes it clear how important this is: “If the disease were detected, there would be a seventy percent chance of recovery.”

“DogScan” offers a test kit that allows customers to send their breath sample into a breathing mask. The specially trained sniffer dog team at “DogScan” can smell potential cancer cells with a hit rate of 99 percent, according to the founders. For their sensational business idea, they are asking 500,000 euros for ten percent.

“For me, it is one of the biggest things I have ever seen here,” says Ralf Dümmel. Frank Thelen is personally very moved: his mother died of lung cancer, his father was diagnosed and treated in time. And Judith Williams is fighting back tears: her mother was diagnosed with lung cancer at the end of 2022.

Due to the lack of study data, the lions ultimately decide not to invest. Judith Williams nevertheless offers to be available as a mentor at any time: “I’ll give you my cell phone number. Whenever you need my advice, call me. I’m out, but my heart is in it.”

Deal with Maschmeyer could be “one of the biggest TV sensations”

Ten years of the “Lion’s Den” have already produced some successful craft ideas. Master metalworker Markus Beck (54) and warehouse logistician Robert Sobolewski (42) from the Augsburg district want to be next. Thanks to their “Dübelix” attachment, removing dowels from walls should be child’s play. They are offering the lions 25 percent of their company shares for 30,000 euros. Will dream lion Ralf Dümmel accept this “awesome offer”?

Frank Thelen in particular, who says he has “zero” manual skills, is skeptical about the “Dübelix”. Carsten Maschmeyer, who otherwise never invests in craft ideas, sees great potential and offers 60,000 euros for 25 percent, and also doubles the founder’s demand.

Ralf Dümmel, surprised, feels challenged: “You don’t need a financial investor, but a strategic partner.” He will meet the founders’ demands – and is thus far below Carsten Maschmeyer. “I would be happy if this doesn’t turn into one of the biggest TV sensations and you decide to cast.” For the two inventors, their wish becomes reality: “Mr. Dümmel, we’ll go with you.”

Is Jana getting distracted with her mushroom coffee?

Mushrooms play a special role in the start-up of Jana Baltscheit, who emigrated from Mallorca. Her brand “LYKAIA” stands for mushroom-based superfood. Her “forest coffee” consists of soluble Arabica beans and two mushroom extracts. “This means the coffee has almost no caffeine and at the same time has an invigorating, concentration-enhancing effect.” Her forest cocoa, on the other hand, is more suitable for the end of the day. Jana wants to sell 15 percent of the company shares for 100,000 euros.

Jochen Schweizer tastes the mushrooms curiously. “I wouldn’t eat them like that,” advises Jana, amused. Carsten Maschmeyer, who doesn’t drink coffee, lets Judith Williams explain the taste of forest coffee to him: “It has a caramel taste, similar to malt coffee.” But the lion is annoyed by the selling price of 30 euros per bag. Jana’s plan to take mushroom cultivation and production into her own hands also meets with resistance. Frank Thelen predicts: “I think you’ll get bogged down.”

Although Judtih Williams sees medicinal mushrooms as a “gigantic trend,” she is also pulling out. Will nature fan Jochen Schweizer ultimately take the plunge? “Idealism without an economically viable substructure is not a business model,” he says, and pulls out. Jana leaves without a deal.

AI math teacher recognizes students’ weaknesses

The three founders of “RocketTutor” have been tackling the regular failure of German students in the PISA test since 2022. Komaldeep Chahal (30), Yue Wu (27) and Lionel Rühlemann (28) from Munich have developed an AI math teacher that automatically creates a seamless learning plan.

The AI ​​teacher recognizes the students’ individual weaknesses and addresses them in real time with targeted exercises. According to the founding trio, “every tenth high school graduate in Bavaria” has used their AI to prepare for their math exams. The three’s investment idea is also mathematically precise: they are offering 4.2 percent of their company shares for an impressive 400,000 euros. Their vision: expansion to other grade levels and global scaling.

Technology investor Frank Thelen immediately bombards the trio of founders with persistent business questions. The company valuation is: “not suitable”. His verdict: “Strong pitch, strong team, but I’m out.” Carsten Maschmeyer sees some catching up to do among the founders and would like a different valuation from the three. Then the haggling over decimal places and loyalty to their own values ​​begins. At seven percent for 500,000 euros, the founders are finally ready to agree. Maschmeyer also cheers: “Rock it with RocketTutor!”

By (jök/ki/spot)