Double deal for Blissand at DHDL – but Glagau withdraws after the show

In the DHDL season finale, the Blissand founding duo decides on a double deal with Dümmel and Glagau, even though Judith Williams has made a better offer.

It's the grand finale of the 17th season of "The Lion's Den." And things are about to get exciting again. Three lions and two offers. Dana Adyani-Fard and Thomas Greussing wow the lions with their performance. In the end, the Blissand founders choose their dream lion, Nils Glagau , and Mr. Regal, Ralf Dümmel . Judith Williams, who submitted a much better offer, goes home empty-handed. "You always think two lions are better than one, but that's not the case," she says, disappointed.

As Gründerszene learned from investors, the deal was finalized after the show. However, only with one lion: Ralf Dümmel.

Adyani-Fard and Greussin are pitching Blissand, a multifunctional mouth gel designed to provide gums with natural nutrients and combat inflammation. The lions are supposed to open doors for them, especially in pharmacies. Which is why Orthomol CEO Glagau is their dream lion. They are asking for €200,000 in return for a ten percent stake in the company. This would correspond to a company valuation of €2 million.

RTL / Bernd-Michael Maurer

In Germany, many people are afraid of going to the dentist. According to the Techniker Krankenkasse ( health insurance company), 60 percent of Germans feel uncomfortable going to the dentist, and eight percent of the population say they avoid going at all because of fear. Dümmel used to be one of those affected. However, as he reveals on the show, his fear has subsided.

This is exactly where Blissand comes in. This mouth gel, which can be used both preventatively and when symptoms occur, is designed to combat gum inflammation without the need for a visit to the dentist.

The gel is made from natural ingredients such as chamomile, green tea extract, lotus root extract, and mint. Hyaluronic acid gives the gel its viscosity, which helps it adhere to the gums. The Blissand founders have filed a patent for this formula, as they explain on the show.

“Natural ingredients, made in Germany, and an application that anyone can manage: For me, this is simply amazing and has enormous potential to shake up the dental market,” said Dümmel after the show.

In addition to the product, the lions are particularly impressed by the founding team. "You are exactly the founders I'm happy to be sitting here for," says Glossybox founder Janna Ensthaler. Adyani-Fard has worked as a dentist for over 17 years and has led clinical trials at leading dental providers such as Dentsply Implants and GC-Germany.

Greussin brings the business skills to the table, having worked in marketing and sales for 20 years, including as CMO at Verivox and Microsoft. “It’s rare to meet a founding team like this,” says Glagau.

RTL / Bernd-Michael Maurer

At the time of the TV recording, Blissand hadn't sold anything yet. But the founders have big visions. They want to sell their product in pharmacies, drugstores, and on their own website. They expect sales of half a million in the first year and annual growth of 33 percent. The lions seem to consider this realistic, and there are no questions asked.

Blessand website

But, as usual on "The Lion's Den," there's something wrong with the valuation. "We have a problem with your company valuation," Dümmel begins, before he and Glagau present an offer to the founders. For €200,000, the two are demanding 24 percent of the company's shares. The two lions are confident that they could open doors in both retail and pharmacy, and they want to help the founders "shape the future."

But they're not alone. Beauty expert Judith Williams is also convinced of their added value: "I wouldn't be Judith Williams if I didn't know we're better," she says confidently. In her opinion, the problem isn't bringing the Blissand product to market. Storytelling is much more important. And that's where she can help. "I want you so badly that I'll make you a better offer," she says, offering €200,000 for 15 percent of the shares.

But Adyani-Fard and Greussin are determined to get Blissand into pharmacies. Therefore, they make Glagau and Dümmel a counteroffer: €200,000 for 20 percent of the shares. The lions accept. However, after the show, the two founders could only Dümmel. "For strategic reasons," a joint solution could not be found, according to Glagau. Whether Blissand will make it into pharmacies without Glagau remains to be seen. Currently, the product is sold through the company's own online shop.