Business · Companies · 1 hr ago
Young founders choose €70,000 investment offer for clothing accessory
Mike Leon Lichtenberg, 24, and Charlotte Lieben, 20, presented Cropsta on the German investment show “Die Höhle der Löwen.”
Their product is an adjustable band worn under a top to hold it at a chosen height.
The couple said they already sell Cropsta worldwide and that it costs €12.99.
Investors made competing offers, including one for €70,000 in exchange for 30% of the business from Ralf Dümmel.
The founders chose Dümmel’s offer over another proposal that included a payment for each product sold.
The deal gave the young founders the investment they sought, while Dümmel gained a stake in their company.
Young founders Mike Leon Lichtenberg and Charlotte Lieben chose Ralf Dümmel’s offer of €70,000 for 30% of their company.
Their company sells Cropsta, an adjustable band designed to hold up a cropped shirt or sweater.
The founders said the product costs €12.99, has a 92% margin and has a return rate of 1%.
Other investors made competing offers, including one of €70,000 for 40% plus a share of sales.
The founders have been a couple for four years and said they already sell Cropsta worldwide.
- Who
- Founders Mike Leon Lichtenberg and Charlotte Lieben, and investor Ralf Dümmel.
- What
- The founders accepted Dümmel’s offer of €70,000 for 30% of their company, which sells the Cropsta clothing accessory.
- When
- The article was published on 13 October 2026. The pitch date is not stated.
- Where
- On the TV show “Die Höhle der Löwen”; the article identifies Cologne, Germany.
- Why
- The founders chose Dümmel’s offer. Their reason for choosing it over the competing offers is not stated.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Mike Leon Lichtenberg and Charlotte Lieben had been a couple for four years.
Williams and Kliesch offered €70,000 for 40% of the company plus a share of sales.
Ralf Dümmel offered €70,000 for 30% of the company.
Williams and Kliesch dropped their request for company shares and instead sought a €1 royalty per Cropsta sold.
The founders chose Dümmel’s offer.
- Founders
- Mike Leon Lichtenberg, 24, and Charlotte Lieben, 20
- Product
- Cropsta, an adjustable band worn under a top
- Chosen offer
- €70,000 for 30% of the company
- Competing offer
- €70,000 for 40% plus a share of sales
- Product price
- €12.99
- Business figures
- 92% margin and 1% return rate
What people are saying
I have to have this thing.
You won’t leave here without a deal.
It often doesn’t hold and doesn’t always look stylish.
We are choosing Dümmel and celebrating his win.
Sources
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