You are looking for the right lid for your Topfi: Anette and Tomasz Makowski have developed a pot lid holder called Topfi. A classic problem-solving product that fits into Ralf Dümmel’s portfolio. The pot lid holder is attached to the edge of the pot or pan. When the water starts to boil, the lid can be put into the holder. The condensed water drips from the lid back into the pot.
In order to bring the product to every German household, the Topfi founding couple is looking for prominent support and 100,000 euros in return for 20 percent of the company shares. That would correspond to a company valuation of 500,000 euros.
Record-breaking pitch
The Makowski couple want to set a record. Their pitch is supposed to be the fastest pitch in DHDL history. The deadline is 60 seconds. In the end, they manage to explain everything there is to know about their pot lid holder within 50 seconds. The bottom line: practical kitchen helper, avoids dirty work surfaces, prevents boiling over and keeps your hands free while cooking.
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Not only was the pitch completed in record time, but so was the deal. It was clear to most people that there was only one suitable investor. TV lion, king of stuff and deal king Ralf Dümmel. His TV investor colleagues didn’t even dare to ask questions. Even before the Makowskis entered the lion’s den, Tillman Schulz knew it. “I think it’s a good fit. Topfi and Ralfi. Who’s betting that it will be a Ralf deal?” he asks the group.
The deal was sealed in less than three minutes. Dümmel asked questions about production costs, price, distribution channel and the unique selling point (USP). Then the offer came. Dümmel offered 100,000 euros for 25 percent of the company shares. This puts him just below the blocking minority of 25.1 percent that many lions are demanding. If Dümmel held 25.1 percent of the shares, he would have a so-called dominant position within the startup and a decisive influence on the company’s decisions. But he wants the decision-making power to lie with the top couple. The deal took place after the broadcast.
What happens after the show?
Anette and Tomasz Makowski met 25 years ago. “Seen, danced and fell in love,” is how Annette Makowski describes her love story. Their marriage is characterized by the fact that they share a passion. “Problem solvers are our favorite projects,” explains Tomasz Makoswki. And Topfi is just as much a problem solver. The idea for the pot lid holder came to them while on vacation in Abu Dhabi. While cooking, of course. They really started implementing the product in 2019. Since then, up until the show was recorded, they have sold 4,600 pot lid holders. Most of them to retailers, around 75 percent. And the rest online. With the help of Ralf Dümmel and his team from the DS Group, the Makowskis have now been able to bring Topfi to retail. “One of the biggest milestones was to make Topfi known and successfully launch it on the market. Without the support of Ralf and his team, this would not have been possible,” explains Annette Makowski when asked.
In the TV show, the Makowskis explain that the price for the pot lid holder is 19.95 euros, compared to a purchase price of 3.63 euros. Today, customers can purchase Topfi online for 9.99 euros.
