"Die Höhle der Löwen" starts with new ideas and a farewell atmosphere

"Die Höhle der Löwen" starts the new spring season: five start-ups present their ideas, from skin care with cold plasma to sustainable seasoning sauces. Three investors say goodbye.

Berlin, April 28, 2025 - The start-up show "Die Höhle der Löwen" has started with the first episode of the spring season on VOX and RTL+. To kick things off, five start-ups present their innovations to a panel of investors. At the same time, the season marks the farewell for three well-known investors: Nils Glagau, Tijen Onaran and Tillman Schulz are taking their last seats in the lion's chairs.

Sports equipment, skincare and innovation for everyday life

Max Fitness from Isny in the Allgäu region will kick things off. Olympic champion and ski jumping legend Sven Hannawald supports the founding couple Oya Hertfelder and Christian Müller in the presentation of their product "PickUp". This is a fascia training device with a patented bracket, supplemented by the "LeanBoard", a flexible wall bracket. The founders are offering 20 percent of their company shares for 240,000 euros. The lions test the product directly on site on the mats.

The start-up Glim Skin from Bochum is competing with a technological approach to skin care. Dr. Friederike Kogelheide and Benita Botterhuis present a cold plasma device designed to help combat acne and skin impurities. Developed from a doctoral thesis in the field of biomedical applications, the device is designed to inhibit inflammation and stimulate cell renewal. The founders are offering ten percent of their shares for an investment of 300,000 euros.

Taste trends and making everyday life easier

The Berlin start-up pick'em brings a breath of fresh air to the stage. Founders Joel Enayat, Maximilian Schröpfer and Niklas Terrahe present toothpicks with flavors such as mango, cola or mint. With over 250 million organic TikTok views and a strong online community in the UK and the USA, the trio now want to gain a foothold in bricks-and-mortar retail. Their offer: 15 percent of the company for 200,000 euros.

Christoph Graf from Heidelberg presents the little Captain magic leash for families with children. The childproof dog leash uses a magnetic mechanism that automatically separates the child from the leash when pulled hard. This means that even small children can be safely attached when walking the dog. Graf is looking for 100,000 euros for 25.1 percent of his shares.

Sustainable innovation in the food sector

Finally, the South Tyrolean start-up re.garum is presenting a new form of natural seasoning sauce based on fermentation. Founders Stephanie Lüpold and Gregor Wenter use fungal cultures to transform food by-products into seasoning sauces - without additives and with a reduced salt content. They want to revolutionize the stock cube with five product variants. They are offering ten percent of their company for an investment of 400,000 euros.

Farewell to well-known lions

Alongside the new start-up ideas, the season is characterized by an emotional topic: investors Nils Glagau, Tijen Onaran and Tillman Schulz are leaving the format after this season. At their side, Dagmar Wöhrl, Judith Williams, Ralf Dümmel, Carsten Maschmeyer and Janna Ensthaler will continue to fight for the best deals. With a mixture of technology, sustainability and lifestyle ideas, the season opener once again offers an insight into the innovative power of young start-ups in German-speaking countries.