Last Monday, the final episode of the ninth season of the German version of “Die Höhle der Löwen” flashed on TV screens. The mega deal for Chris Kaiser (33) caused quite a stir. Through “Click A Tree,” it offers investors an intermediary platform that works with travel portals and plants a tree for each reservation. But the deal with investors Karsten Machmeyer (62) and Judith Williams (49) was divorced after the broadcast. Reason: lack of approval seals or proof of quality.
Kaiser isn’t the first to cut a deal with Lions in front of the cameras that then didn’t work out. Maschmeyer and his colleagues at Löwen explain to German “Bild” why some deals haven’t worked out. Fact: The offered companies are examined in detail only after the show. “Once the deal is done, I will exchange cell phone numbers with the founders,” says Machmeyer. Then the so-called due diligence begins. The above figures are carefully examined, the structure of the company’s structure and whether there is really a patent on the product. Then only continue.
With a deal, the heart has to say yes too
These tests can last from eight to twelve hours. “We really sit together from morning to evening,” says Leo Ralph DeMille, 54. This step is important so that you can get to know each other on a human level. “Even the heart should say yes to the deal.”
Time and time again it happens that founders want to renegotiate again after a TV deal. Or show debts he didn’t mention before. Then the lions reserve the right to refuse to cooperate.
The founders reject the deal themselves
Other reasons: Even after repeated requests, only incomplete or unavailable company documents are provided. And lions don’t want to burn their fingers and let the deal break if brand rights are too risky. Sometimes founders ask for a higher investment and increase the value of their company afterwards. Sometimes it turns out that investor money should not be used to build a company, but to pay off debts.
The lioness Dagmar Wöhrl (67 years old) gives another reason: the founders canceled themselves. “It is clear here that they wanted to impress with them in the media.”
In conclusion, Machmeyer says that what matters to him is what was agreed upon in the show with a handshake in front of the camera. “I guarantee this reliability and that is why I expect the same from others. For my part, I will not let any deal fail.” (Buff)
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