Convinced the Pride: Innovative Startup Employs Subtle Toothpicks to Captivate all the Lions
Venturing into the Past and Present: The Fascinating Journey of Pick'em, the Flavored Toothpick Gurus
Ever wondered what lies behind the tagline "Wood for the big mouth"? Niklas Terrahe, co-founder of Pick'em, a startup that has revolutionized the humble toothpick, reveals all in a captivating pitch on national television. Accompanied by his partners, they step into the lion's den, ready to convince the investors of the magic their toothpicks hold.
In a rather unexpected twist, co-founder Folkert Bowler gracefully ambles onto the stage, clad in wooden attire and a pointed hat. Surprising the investors, Bowler, a Brit who doesn't speak German, was registered as a prop. He proceeds to share the mint-flavored toothpicks among the panelists, teasing their curiosity. Pick'em, as it turns out, is not just a toothpick but a lifestyle product.
The investors, particularly Judith Williams, are intrigued by the unusual product and engaged by the founders' charisma. With enthusiasm, Ralf Duemmler remarks, "Really incredible", while Dagmar Woerl echoes, "really good!" Judith Williams, herself, finds it "really fresh."
The audience is left to speculate, but the lions' reactions speak volumes. They all express interest in investing in Pick'em, especially Carsten Maschmeyer, a renowned tech investor. The young entrepreneurs seemingly win the investors over not only with their sales prowess but also with their impressive social media clout. In just a year, they have achieved over 150 million views on Tiktok, alone.
The laconic negotiations ensue, eventually leading to an agreement: the teamaccepts an investment of €250,000 for 17.5% of their shares, not just from one investor, but from a trio: Judith Williams, Carsten Maschmeyer, and Tillmann Schulz.
Following the show, the team, originating from the Berlin-based startup university Code, decided to pursue the partnership with Judith Williams. After a brief waiting period, she became their sole investor, funding the entire amount.
Initially focusing on expanding in the US and UK markets, Pick'em aims to establish toothpicks as a cool, hip accessory for the youth. With their newfound resources, they are now challenging the German market, where Williams and her team offer optimal support.
Despite the initial skepticism, the investment in Pick'em proved to be a sound decision. The company is not only thriving but increasingly outpacing its monthly revenue of the time of the show. Piquing the interest of other notable investors, such as More Nutrition founder Christian Wolf and a former CMO of Tiktok, Pick'em seems poised for further success.
The question lingers: why toothpicks? Co-founder Niklas Terrahe laughs, explaining that they found something cool in the consumer sector, questioning why everyday items couldn't be made trendy. Researching successful brands honing in on ordinary items, they found inspiration in toothpicks, taking a popular item and adding an extra twist of flavors. And the rest, as they say, is history.
- Incidentally, Folkert Bowler, co-founder of Pick'em, was initially registered as a prop, but he surprised everyone by gracefully ambling onto the stage in wooden attire and a pointed hat.
- The Founders of Pick'em didn't just win the investors over with their sales prowess, but also with their impressive social media clout, boasting over 150 million views on Tiktok in just a year.
- Technology screened a new horizon for Pick'em as they secured an investment of €250,000 from a trio of investors: Judith Williams, Carsten Maschmeyer, and Tillmann Schulz.
- Lifestyle aspirations drove Pick'em to focus on expanding in the US and UK markets, aiming to establish toothpicks as a cool, hip accessory for the youth.
- Finance and business strategies have been pivotal in Pick'em's success, as they have outpaced their monthly revenue and caught the attention of notable investors, such as More Nutrition founder Christian Wolf and a former CMO of Tiktok.
