"The Lion's Den": Lioness Janna Ensthaler showers for a good cause

A refreshing appearance by lioness Janna Ensthaler (41): Before a pitch, she stands – fully clothed – under the studio shower and turns on the water. The unusual move serves a good cause. The founders also deliver: An audio cooking app has the lions raving and receives celebrity support. Two founder brothers also present a supposedly revolutionary packaging solution. But in "The Lion's Den" (Mondays, 8:15 p.m. on VOX or RTL+), the rule is: No business plan – no deal.

Dagmar Wöhrl: "Something has jumped over"

Founder Sven Torner (53) from Hamburg has brought prominent advocates for his FoodDude app. TV chefs Lucki Maurer (43), Meta Hiltebrand (41), and Mike Süsser (53) with him to the Löwen studio. Using his voice-controlled app, users will soon be able to effortlessly recreate their own recipes. No more tiring scrolling on your phone or tablet with dirty fingers from cooking. Torner is offering a ten percent stake in FoodDude for €180,000. Dagmar Wöhrl (71) is testing the app in the studio kitchen – and is thrilled.

Nils Glagau (49) makes the first offer: "I think you're awesome. Your app will definitely be successful. And I'd love to be part of this journey." For 15 percent of the shares, he promises: "Then we'll simmer down." Carsten Maschmeyer (66) and Dagmar Wöhrl follow up with a "double offer." Wöhrl: "I was standing there at the front. And something jumped out: Wow, a great founder!" Tijen Onaran (40) takes up the ball: "Having such dual power is incredibly exciting. But the real power is individual power." She also wants 15 percent. But the founder opts for the lion's tandem: "As an entrepreneur, it's always about the people you'd most like to work with. I choose Dagmar and Carsten."

"Hope is not a business plan"

Brothers Jens (36) and René Scafarti (34) from Sundern run their own plastic packaging company. With ScaPAP, they present their development, which could revolutionize the packaging market and significantly reduce the burden on the environment: paper packaging with the formability and strength of plastic. They are offering ten percent of their company for one million euros. Initially, the Lions are impressed by their "gift to the environment" and seem willing to invest. But when they put the two to the test, founder Jens admits: "I'll be honest, we've never made a business plan before." The Lions become skeptical: "This isn't a fundraising gala or a charity event," says Ralf Dümmel (58). Carsten Maschmeyer steps in with praise: "I think it's great that you're addressing the issue of packaging. But hope isn't a business plan for me." Janna Ensthaler gives both of them some advice: "Guys, going into the cave without a business plan is like going to a soccer game and forgetting your soccer shoes." This means that the last lioness is out.

Ensthaler showers fully clothed for a good cause

Before the next pitch begins, things get spectacular. A shower has been set up in the studio. Tijen Onaran jokes: "You know one of us has to go there right away." Janna Ensthaler replies bravely: "I'll do it, but only for money." Nils Glagau takes her at her word: "For two grand, I'll let you shower, Janna." The lioness goes to the front and showers herself fully clothed from head to toe. "Wow! That's awesome!" Nils Glagau enthuses – and soon transfers two thousand euros to the Braunschweig women's shelter. "I'll give you the contact details," says Janna Ensthaler coolly.

Then Peter Kreitmeir's (38) pitch for his shower foot file, HornyFeet, begins. The Bavarian also immediately puts his full body into it. With his shower cubicle insert with a built-in callus file, he wants to promote better foot hygiene and health among German shower users. He is offering 25 percent of HornyFeet for €50,000. Barefoot and wearing only swim trunks, the founder demonstrates his invention. Shower fan Janna, now wrapped in a bathrobe, tests the adhesive properties of Kreitmeir's construction – and tears away part of the studio floor in the process. Conclusion: "It works very well." The Lions consider the targeted selling price of €32.90 too high. Then Ralf Dümmel takes the initiative: "Am I the candidate you say you'd like to do this with? I'll give you the money because I think your deal is fair." Without listening to the offers of other lions, Kreitmeir accepts and the first barefoot deal in the lion's den is perfect.

The tedious act of making your bed should be a thing of the past. That's why Kevin Busch (34) and Tim Baceu (33) from Düsseldorf are bringing their innovative Quozy bed linen. The duvet covers can be opened on three sides using a circumferential zipper. The corners of the duvet are tucked into pockets for added support. For an investment of €100,000, they are offering a 15 percent stake in Quozy. When asked about her sleeping habits, Judith Williams (53) confesses: "I sleep with a hat, sweater, and fleece. My husband is of the opinion that 18 degrees is warm enough." Then Nils Glagau serves as a test subject. He makes a duvet the traditional way faster than Quozy user Janna Ensthaler – a clear defeat for the inventors. What the Lions particularly dislike is the high price of €79.90 for a bed linen set. They also provide no conclusive answer when asked about their target audience. The Lions are gradually withdrawing from the bed deal. Judith Williams suggests bluntly: "Different idea, new try."

Is this the "holy grail of the barbecue business?"

Lars Kliefoth (51) and Jan Bastian Schacht (43) from Wilhelmshaven are passionate grillers. Their proprietary Flavourizer is designed to make grilled food even more flavorful: with beer, whiskey, or a spice blend. The small Flavourizer sprays the desired flavor onto the food using a syringe, hose, and heat-resistant stainless steel nozzle. "If we're lucky, it will become the holy grail of the grilling business," the founders hope. Their deal is: 20 percent of Flavourizer for 75,000 euros. Will the lions bite? During the tasting, Carsten Maschmeyer notices the prototype look of the demonstration Flavourizer: "When it's finished, will it still look like a nurse left her syringe behind?" The targeted market price of 96 euros also strikes the lions as "proud." Tillman Schulz (35) "doesn't believe in the masses" and is dropping out. Unlike "hobby griller" Ralf: "The grill market is huge, but it's the wrong price. I'd give it a try with you – at 75,000 euros for 30 percent." The founders take the plunge and will meet Ralf Dümmel at the grill in the future.

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