Janna Ensthaler, founder of Glossybox and an investor on the show 'Die Höhle der Löwen', discusses her satisfaction with the show's authenticity and the competitive nature of pitching to entrepreneurs. She emphasizes the importance of green topics in television and her personal commitment to sustainability, influenced by a trip with Al Gore. Ensthaler's Green Generation Fund, with a capital of 100 million euros, invests in companies developing green technologies, such as Munich-based Reverion. She stresses that a portion of their profits is tied to achieving sustainability goals, and critiques the slow and complex implementation of political support for sustainability in Europe, contrasting it with more aggressive American policies.

Annika von Mutius discusses the potential of artificial intelligence in automating the recruiting process, aiming to create a 'Robo-Headhunter' that can make objective decisions based on individual preferences, including company culture and personal values. The approach involves a culture test for job seekers and a validation process that includes feedback from a company's workforce. The article also touches on the role of social media in job searching, with platforms like TikTok proving effective in reaching younger demographics and even filling high-level positions.

Tobias and Sven Hubbes presented their Lynes app on 'Die Höhle der Löwen', securing an investment from Nils Glagau. A year after the show, they report a successful collaboration with Glagau, having developed a nationwide app with a clear strategy. Lynes rewards users for eco-friendly mobility with points redeemable for discounts from partners like Flixbus and About You. The app aims to become a comprehensive mobility platform and offer packages for companies to promote sustainable commuting among employees.

Finanzguru, a financial management app, has grown to 1.5 million users, targeting a potential market of 47 million in Germany. The founders, Benjamin and Alexander Michel, discuss the importance of financial management in times of rising costs. They recently raised 13 million euros from investors, including Paypal Ventures, without concerns despite the challenging environment for fintechs. They emphasize their independence and the value of their investors' expertise. Finanzguru differentiates itself by offering a bank-independent overview and control of finances, with plans to expand into retirement planning. Revenue comes from premium features and independent brokerage commissions.

Dambisa Moyo, an economist and author, challenges the notion that Western-style democratic capitalism is the ideal model for developing countries, especially after it led to a global crisis. Born in Zambia, Moyo gained prominence with her book 'Dead Aid,' criticizing foreign aid's role in Africa's dependency issues and advocating for trade and investment. Despite criticism from figures like Bill Gates, she has been recognized as a global influencer. Moyo, with a background at Goldman Sachs and the World Bank, and roles in companies like Barclays and SABMiller, now focuses on China's non-ideological approach to improving living conditions through market economy. She argues that economic growth should precede democracy, as prosperity leads to a stable middle class demanding governance. Moyo's views are shared through platforms like CNBC, Financial Times, and TED talks, and she has received the Hayek Lifetime Achievement Award for her contributions to economic thought.

EIT InnoEnergy, supported by the European Union and financed by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology, has invested in 500 start-ups and is currently involved in 180 across Europe. Christian Müller, a board member, discusses the positive momentum for green start-ups in Europe, the impact of the energy crisis and climate change, and the challenges faced by start-ups in raising funds, especially in research-intensive and hardware sectors. Despite a decrease in Greentech investments compared to the record year 2021, the focus remains on strategically relevant areas such as batteries, photovoltaics, and green hydrogen.

Viessmann, traditionally known for its heating business, is expanding its role in the startup ecosystem through its subsidiary WattX, which aims to become a startup forge for the German Mittelstand. Co-managed by Anne Decker and Simon Müller, WattX has evolved from developing ideas for Viessmann to supporting other companies in creating their own startups. The company builder has opened up to other firms and is distinguishing itself with a broad range of capabilities, including AI expertise. The initiative is part of a larger trend where established companies and venture capital firms are increasingly interested in the Mittelstand's substantial business models.

Y-Food founders Noel Bollmann and Benjamin Kremer discuss the success and future plans of their meal replacement drink company. They have exceeded their revenue expectations, reaching approximately 120 million euros in sales, and aim to continue growing at a similar pace. They plan to make Y-Food a well-known and emotionally charged brand, similar to Red Bull, and are preparing to enter the US market. The company is profitable, allowing for long-term planning, and they are considering various growth strategies, including potential partnerships or a future IPO.

German start-up Kumpan Electric is engaged in a legal battle with Piaggio Group over the design of their electric scooters, which Piaggio claims are too similar to their iconic Vespa. The dispute, which has been ongoing since 2018, has prevented Kumpan from entering the Italian market, Europe's largest for scooters. Despite two favorable rulings from the EUIPO, Piaggio has appealed again, potentially escalating the case to the European Court of Justice. The founders of Kumpan, led by Patrik Tykesson, remain hopeful for a resolution that will allow them to expand into Italy, potentially in 2023, after nearly five years of legal challenges.

The Logisch family presented their mini sewage treatment plant, Enteron, on 'Shark Tank', seeking €150,000 for a quarter of their company. They initially chose investor Nico Rosberg but later realized their visions for brand positioning differed. Despite this, they received valuable advice and began establishing a separate startup. The Enteron, designed for boats, addresses the issue of inadequate waste disposal facilities in ports. With 250 units in operation and over 100 water purification systems developed, the company is now focusing on expanding into the US market, pending certification by the US-Coastguard.

Enmacc, a startup founded in 2016, has positioned itself as a key digital intermediary in the energy market, facilitating over-the-counter energy trading of gas and electricity. The Munich-based platform has attracted 240 major energy suppliers and industrial companies in Germany and 450 companies across 21 European countries. Despite the current stagnation in trading volumes due to volatile energy prices, Enmacc has completed a funding round with an undisclosed double-digit million sum, led by Alantra's energy transition fund and with participation from Chevron Technology Ventures and existing investors like Cherry Ventures and Piton Capital. The company plans to expand its digital trading to include CO2 certificates and potentially other energy carriers like biogas or hydrogen, aiming to build a platform for future markets.