The Green Deal Show: When Startups Meet on Twitch and YouTube

A new show format brings together startups with sustainable business models and creators with large followings, demonstrating how visibility becomes the key currency for growth. The first episode of *The Green Deal Show* premieres on May 22, 2026, on YouTube; the first season consists of three episodes.

Sustainability Meets Reach, Not Capital

The Green Deal Show reimagines the classic startup show. Instead of million-dollar investments, creators decide which startups gain visibility in this format. They don’t invest money, but rather their reach and community power. In return, they receive a share of the revenue generated through their promotion.

For some young B2C startups today, reach is often more important than capital. Visibility, trust, and community are the key factors for success. The format demonstrates that growth can also happen in other ways—through people who discover, share, and recommend products.

How the Show Concept Works

The show is hosted by Gen Z journalist and presenter Magdalena Stefely, known from the current season of *The Race*.

In each episode, four to five startups pitch their ideas to a rotating three-person jury of creators and a live audience. If a creator chooses a startup, an individual deal is negotiated. This involves exchange of reach for discount codes for the community and a percentage share of the revenue generated through the creator’s social media channels.

An on-site online voting tool allows the audience to distribute digital coins to the startups in real time, while a “joker” mechanism provides creators with insights into the voting data so they can make strategic decisions.

The Jury: Millions in Reach & Diverse Communities

The jury brings together some of the most exciting voices in the German-speaking creator scene:

• Marie Nasemann – actress, author, and content creator focusing on lifestyle, feminism, and fair fashion.
• Doktor Whatson – Science YouTuber covering science and future-oriented topics.
• Staiy – YouTuber and livestreamer from the gaming and streaming scene.
• Saskia Fröhlich – stand-up comedian and social media personality.
• Alexander Prinz – journalist and YouTuber (“Der Dunkle Parabelritter”).
• Larsipilami – Music composer and creator on Instagram/TikTok.
• Just Leo – Actress and comedian focusing on everyday life and humor.
• Hamel – Creator focused on fashion and trends.

Together, they reach millions of people via YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitch and stand for integrity, responsibility, and a willingness to use their reach to address socially relevant issues.

Promoting Sustainable Ideas

The Green Deal Show demonstrates that sustainability is anything but a sacrifice. The focus is on startups that make everyday life smarter, more mindful, and more inspiring:

• SIRPLUS – Saving surplus food.
• hey mela – The world’s first vegan pregnancy test.
• moot – Upcycled fashion for a conscious lifestyle.

Participating startups undergo a pre-show eligibility review that assesses their economic viability and sustainability criteria.

We don’t just look at the numbers—we’re interested in whether an idea really holds up. Our goal is to support startups that create real impact and are economically successful.

Leon Reiner, Founder of Impact Hub Berlin

YouTube as a Stage for Impact

YouTube was deliberately chosen because the platform combines entertainment, information, and community. Longer attention spans, room for storytelling, and the ability to convey complex topics in an understandable and emotionally engaging way make YouTube the ideal place to showcase sustainable innovations.

Behind the Scenes

The series is produced by Quintus Studios, known for digital, wide-reaching entertainment formats with social relevance. Impact Hub Berlin assesses the startups’ economic viability, while the ecosign Academy for Sustainability and Design evaluates their sustainability criteria. The German Federal Environmental Foundation (DBU) supports the project with expertise in environmental and climate protection.

Series Premiere and Key Dates

The premiere of *The Green Deal Show* will take place on YouTube on May 22, 2026. The first season consists of three episodes and offers a fresh perspective on startups, reach, and sustainable growth.

At the season premiere, the new show concept must prove its viability. Meanwhile, the YouTube algorithm has been adjusted in such a way that most creators now find it difficult to reach a relevant, broad audience. The advantage is that this will be directly reflected in the viewership numbers once they’re adjusted to account for bot traffic. Based on the information available so far, this is a classic “media for equity” format.

The target audience should also be intriguing: predominantly young viewers encounter sustainable startup products. In comparable formats such as DHDL, 2 Minuten, Shark Tank, etc., this topic typically accounts for only a small portion of airtime. Perhaps focusing on this niche also offers corresponding opportunities, which could be further amplified by the creators—some of whom are highly controversial in the public eye (insults directed at politicians in podcasts, “Drachengame” participants, etc.).