# Startup pitches on Die Höhle der Löwen

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/20260930-startup-pitches-on-die-hhle-der-lwen
> Updated: 2026-10-25T06:23:13.000Z. Sources: 13. Developments: 5.

On the television program ‘Die Höhle der Löwen’, various startup pitches have drawn significant reactions from the investor panel. In one instance, Sebastian Wild presented ‘SchaumPo’, a 3D-printed refillable foam technology system. The pitch was met with harsh criticism from Frank Thelen, who described it as one of the worst products seen on the show, after a live demonstration failed to produce the expected foam. Additionally, investor Janna Ensthaler criticized the product’s valuation. In a subsequent appearance, the startup Heiontec, which develops technology to extract energy from ambient heat, faced frustration from Frank Thelen. The founders’ request for 250,000 euros for 2.5 percent of the company drew criticism from Carsten Maschmeyer due to a lack of clarity. The pitch ultimately resulted in a rejection from the investors, as Frank Thelen expressed frustration over the founders' inability to provide specific data regarding the system's power output. Conversely, the travel platform Blookery successfully secured a 500,000 euro investment from Johannes Kliesch, a deal centered on Kliesch’s expertise and network. More recently, investor Carsten Maschmeyer faced backlash for personal remarks directed at Leonie Steinhauer during her pitch for HyEx, a startup offering a product to dissolve hyaluronic acid fillers. Maschmeyer commented that Steinhauer’s aesthetic enhancements ‘did not look natural’ and sarcastically questioned if she should use her own product on herself. Steinhauer later addressed the incident on TikTok, stating the comments were hurtful and that the focus should have remained on the business rather than her face. In another contentious pitch, Isabella Steiner of the non-alcoholic beverage brand ‘nüchtern’ faced criticism from Frank Thelen.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-25: Isabella Steiner faces criticism during Die Höhle der Löwen pitch

Founder Isabella Steiner faced accusations of dishonesty from investor Frank Thelen during a pitch on ‘Die Höhle der Löwen’ regarding her non-alcoholic drink brand, ‘nüchtern’.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/isabella-steiner-faces-criticism-during-die-hhle-der-lwen-pitch

### 2026-10-17: Carsten Maschmeyer criticizes founder's appearance on ‘Die Höhle der Löwen’

Investor Carsten Maschmeyer faced backlash after criticizing founder Leonie Steinhauer’s cosmetic appearance during a pitch for her startup, HyEx, on the show ‘Die Höhle der Löwen’.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/carsten-maschmeyer-criticizes-founders-appearance-on-die-hhle-der-lwen

### 2026-10-05: Frank Thelen returns to ‘Die Höhle der Löwen’ jury

Investor Frank Thelen returns to ‘Die Höhle der Löwen’ as a permanent jury member, recently rejecting a pitch from energy startup Heiontec due to unclear technical performance data.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/frank-thelen-returns-to-die-hhle-der-lwen-jury

### 2026-09-30: Die Höhle der Löwen: Frank Thelen criticizes Heiontec pitch

On ‘Die Höhle der Löwen’, Frank Thelen criticized Heiontec’s pitch for their ambient heat technology, while Blookery secured a 500,000 euro partnership with Johannes Kliesch.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/die-hhle-der-lwen-frank-thelen-criticizes-heiontec-pitch

### 2026-09-27: Frank Thelen criticizes Sebastian Wild's SchaumPo pitch on Die Höhle der Löwen

Entrepreneur Sebastian Wild faced harsh criticism from investors Frank Thelen and Janna Ensthaler on ‘Die Höhle der Löwen’ after a failed demonstration of his foam-generating product, ‘SchaumPo’.

9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/frank-thelen-criticizes-sebastian-wilds-schaumpo-pitch-on-die-hhle-der-lwen

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Cite as: Startup pitches on Die Höhle der Löwen. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/20260930-startup-pitches-on-die-hhle-der-lwen