Disrupted Agreement Over Branded Canine Collars for Little Captain Following Performance
Pet-loving Kiddos, Rejoice! Little Captain's Child-Friendly Leash is Here
For those young 'uns hankering after a furry friend, but still too tiny to manage the responsibilities, Little Captain has got your back - armed with a safe dog leash designed specifically for the little ones. This innovative invention, as claimed by the founders, Christoph Graf and his sister Anja, on the hit show "The Lion's Den".
The leash boasts a loop for both the grown-up and the child to hold, ensuring an enjoyable and secure walk for Fido. In case of excessive tension on the leash, the child's loop detaches, keeping them from tripping over. This marvel of technology is thanks to magnets. But, if the child endeavors a solo walk and tensions escalate, the leash detaches, granting Rover the freedom to roam, albeit unrestricted. So make sure there's a safe play area at hand.
Seeking a grand sum of 100,000 euros, Graf offered a tantalizing 25.1 percent stake in Little Captain, promising the investor co-determination rights in critical decisions.
Why the Lion's Den Deal Went Sour
Passionate animal advocate, Dagmar Woerl, was Graf's coveted investor - and fortunately for him, Woerl extended an offer: 100,000 euros for a whopping 30 percent of the company! Graf agreed. However, Woerl harbored reservations regarding the figures presented by the startup at the time of the show's recording, as the leash was far from hitting the market. Woerl made her feelings known during the broadcast, "This venture won't soar immediately," but "there's the undeniable emotional connection I feel for this project."
Tragically, the deal never materialized after the show, as Gründerszene learned from Woerl's inner circle, "Unfortunately, the deal never came to fruition. Ultimately, there were too many varying opinions on how to build the company sustainably and strategically. However, we did engage in intense discussions and provided the founders with some valuable insights."
Lions Impressed by the Pitch, but Lacking Proof of Concept
The lions were smitten with the compelling presentation of the founding duo, Christoph Graf and his niece, Theresa. Furthermore, they were smitten with Graf's Australian Shepherd, Captain – the muse behind the startup's name. Woerl commended the product's luxury, while Maschmeyer lauded its quality. Still, none of the other lions were enthusiastic about investing apart from Woerl.
Maschmeyer saw Graf as his first customer, but the product didn't align with him as an investor. Duemmler already backed another dog-leash-selling startup, opting to refrain from investing. Schulz criticized the valuation, which he perceived as too excessive as the startup hadn't demonstrated any sales yet. Williams passed on the opportunity because she was skeptical about the market demand for the product.
A batch of 600 leashes is said to be on its way, but the startup hadn't made any sales at the time of the show's recording. The leash, initially announced at €59.90, now goes for €34.99 on the website, with slight variations based on the length of the leash, catering to lighter weight dogs as well. The leashes have been lab-tested, as asserted on the site, with the latest test conducted on April 8th.
Little Captain: Making Strides Online
In the present day, Little Captain is retailing its dog leashes via Amazon and its very own online store. Regrettably, the price has undergone a slight modification from the original declaration, now priced at €34.99 for the Tau model, suitable for pups weighing up to 25 kilos. The price adjusts by a meager €2 depending on the extension of the leash. The site offers leashes suitable for lighter pooches, priced similarly. The leashes have been tested in a lab, as declared on the site, with the most recent test conducted on April 8th.
- The leash created by Little Captain, as designed by Christoph Graf and his sister Anja, is intended for use by both adults and children, with a loop for each to hold during a walk, ensuring a secure and enjoyable experience for all.
- Dagmar Woerl, enamored by the company's mission to create safer leashes for children and pets alike, offered a valuation of 30% of Little Captain in exchange for 100,000 euros, initially accepted by Graf.
- Unfortunately, the agreed deal between Graf and Woerl failed to materialize after the recording of the show, owing to discrepancies in constructing the company sustainably and strategically.
- Despite not investing, various lions on "The Lion's Den" were impressed by the pitch presented by Little Captain’s founders, Christoph Graf and his niece Theresa, praising the leash's luxury, quality, and innovative design geared toward a home-and-garden lifestyle that embraces pets.
