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Startup pitches on Die Höhle der Löwen

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2026-10-17 08:32 UTC → 2026-10-25 06:56 UTC · added ~~removed~~

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.

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