HEIONTEC founders face investor backlash on ‘Die Höhle der Löwen’

A pitch on the German television show ‘Die Höhle der Löwen’ resulted in a confrontation between investors and the founders of the startup HEIONTEC. The founders, representing the company from Siblin, proposed seeking 250,000 euros in exchange for only 2.5 percent equity in their business.

Investors expressed significant dissatisfaction with the offer. Frank Thelen criticized the lack of technical data regarding the company’s energy prototype, which aims to extract energy from ambient heat. Carsten Maschmeyer noted that such a low equity offering was unprecedented on the show. Following the heated exchange, all five investors declined to negotiate, and HEIONTEC left the show without a deal.