9 questions for the founders of “The Lion’s Den”
In this questionnaire, we ask the founders and participants of the Vox show The Lion’s Den questions about their products and experiences on the show. This time: Valentin Steudte and Johannes Baumgardt, the founders of nextfolder.
Contents
Nextfolder: The new generation of copy binders
At just 18 and 19 years old, Valentin Steudte and Johannes Baumgardt, the founders of Nextfolder, took part in the VOX show “Die Höhle der Löwen”. With their flexible staplers, they ultimately secured a deal with investor Ralf Dümmel.
The flexible rings in the binder ensure more writing comfort. The individual components can also be easily replaced. Changing the entire content is also possible with Nextfolder.
“The Lion’s Den”: Nextfolder puts an end to annoying metal rings
BASIC thinking: Hello, you are part of the twelfth season of “Die Höhle der Löwen”. How does that feel?
Being allowed to go to “The Lion’s Den” is really mega. For us it was the greatest opportunity so far to present our product to many potential customers. And we knew that through our pitch, the desire to nextfolder actually bringing it to market is very likely to become a reality.
The special thing about Nextfolder
What makes your product so special?
The next folder is a stapler, which was specially developed for the needs of students. It is characterized by flexible rings, through which you can easily write directly in the binder. Constant filing and filing is no longer necessary. Furthermore, with the Next Folder it is possible to change the entire contents of the folder at once and without great effort.
Each component can be replaced individually, so you have the advantage that you never have to buy a completely new stapler again. The respective component that is broken or worn out is sufficient.
Of course, the Nextfolder is not only suitable for students, but for everyone who has to file documents and is open to innovative advantages.
Nextfolder: The idea and the concept
How did you come up with the idea and concept of Nextfolder?
As early as the ninth grade, we, as right-handers, noticed that it was extremely uncomfortable to write on the back of a sheet of paper directly in the binder. That’s why we thought about a solution and gradually developed the Nextfolder. Over time, after much deliberation, more and more useful functions were added.
For example, we came to the conclusion that it would really save time if we could staple all the sheets at once. Based on our ideas, we developed the Nextfolder a little further until, after more than 3.5 years of prototyping, we were ready for the market.
And how did you end up in The Lion’s Den?
Actually, everyone who is interested in participating applies directly to VOX. With us it was a bit different. Because instead of applying for the show, the broadcaster approached us via “Startup Teens” and asked if we were interested in applying for “The Lion’s Den”.
We came into contact with “Startup Teens” during the development of the Nextfolder. Here we took part in the business plan competition. Unfortunately, it was only enough for second place in our category at the time, so we were all the more grateful for our second, much bigger chance to pitch in “The Lion’s Den”.
But if you now think that we were accepted immediately, you are wrong. Because like all other startups, we then went through the usual process for applications.
The negotiations
What was going through your mind just before your pitch?
In one word: excitement. After all, even before the pitch in the cave, there are a lot of people with and without cameras around you. That’s when the tension naturally rises.
Then you stand in front of the entrance door to the cave, are powdered again briefly, you are wished good luck and in the next moment the door opens.
How did the negotiations go?
We found the subsequent pitch and the discussions quite overwhelming. We performed as the last startup of the evening and relatively few difficult questions were asked. Nevertheless, we were super excited.
We were cross-examined by the lions for almost three quarters of an hour and had to answer questions. But we didn’t really get the time because we were in a tunnel and the time flew by.
And our excitement continued to grow after all the lions got out one after the other and finally only Ralf Dümmel remained. Thankfully, that feeling changed after the deal, and excitement and tension turned to relief.
Nextfolder: This is how it goes on now
What has happened to you and your next folder since shooting and participating?
After the shoot and our deal we went back home and the next day we were at school at 7:10 sharp.
Of course, after our deal, we had to submit a detailed due diligence. But we would also like to emphasize how unproblematic it was. After our documents had been viewed, we sat down together with Ralf in Stapelfeld and discussed how to proceed.
We were super surprised that the whole thing is so familiar with him. He took the whole day for us and our questions. This enabled us to discuss in detail the path we wanted to take with him and his team.
And how does it continue? What are the next steps?
It is our vision that the nextfolder for students is just as natural as writing chalk on the blackboard. Furthermore, the aim is to build up a large range of products. Here, in addition to other colors, we also imagine file folders, paper and more in order to offer our customers real added value.
Experiences in “The Lion’s Den”
Looking back, how do you rate your experience at The Lion’s Den?
With our appearance and the subsequent deal, a wish has become reality. It was really interesting to be able to pitch in front of a camera and in front of such selected investors. We certainly enjoyed it and would definitely do it again.
→ There are staplers from Nextfolder to buy here.
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