Man's Near-Tear Reaction Over DHDL Agreement
Casual Take on the Rotating Stick That Counts Spins:
Ever pondered the number of times a stick takes a spin when hurled up high? The mystery is solved! Meet the "Chuck-a-Rubba," a magical throwing stick that tallies those rotations mid-air.
This amazing invention, brought to life by the brilliant minds of Thomas Eichstetter, Rainer Lauberger, and Thomas Moch, found the spotlight on everyone's favorite investment show, "The Lion's Den."
With the legendary "Lions" eager to aid these innovators, they graced the stage with the 50th prototype. Although Carsten Maschmeyer found the original a bit unsightly, the previous models reveal the incredible progress made, with one model even veering towards an adult accessory.
These creators are seeking 100,000 euros for a 30% share, valuing the company at around 330,000 euros.
Lions Roar and Then Fade Away
Despite the chuckles the Chuck-a-Rubba elicited, three "Lions" swiftly withdraw from the race. Maschmeyer evaluates it as a fun pastime, but he's not quite "crazy" enough to invest in a team lacking sales, production, and marketing expertise.
Food entrepreneur Tillman Schulz also passes, owing to his electronic aversion, and entrepreneur Janna Ensthaler wonders if the fascination with the product might wane.
Nils Glagau and Ralf Dümmel, however, see huge potential. Both make the same offer: 100,000 euros for 35% of the company. Glagau believes he can guide the founders towards a successful brand, as the Orthomol CEO.
Dümmel, too, expresses his confidence, boasting his experience in investing in numerous gaming startups like Bionic Toys from DHDL.
The founders trust their instincts and choose Glagau. Dümmel comes close to tears, with Ensthaler attempting to comfort him.
A New Identity: Stickflip
The partnership sealed after the show, as Gruenderszene discovered from the investor community. Since then, a whirlwind of activity has taken place. With Glagau, the founders aimed to have their market-ready product ready by the time of the TV broadcast - and they achieved it.
The prototype Chuck-a-Rubba transformed into the final product "Stickflip." The market launch occurred at the beginning of 2025, simultaneously in Germany and Poland.
According to Glagau, "Stickflip is a toy bursting with potential - innovative, versatile, and appealing to a broad demographic. The founders impressed me in the den with their pitch, and the collaboration has been productive and goal-oriented from day one."
In addition to the new name, the founders expanded the game principle, offering 10 different game variations, three more than initially planned. The price and design remained largely unchanged.
The inventors of the "Chuck-a-Rubba," now known as "Stickflip," ventured into the realm of entertainment and technology, presenting their innovative toy on the popular investment show, "The Lion's Den." Despite initial reservations from some investors about the product's potential, the founders' persistence and partnership with Nils Glagau transformed the toy into a market-ready product, attracting a broader demographic with its versatile and appealing design.
