…How it started: October 2017

When we appeared on the VOX Founders Show in 2017, people still thought porridge was a vegetable—and that's no joke! Caroline and Tim, our dynamic founder duo, shared their passion for delicious porridge, and the lions were impressed. Investors Frank Thelen and Judith Williams took the leap and partnered with us. With their support, 3Bears has grown significantly, offering a wide range of porridge, oat bars, and more. Tim, our co-founder, says: “We’re so grateful for the VOX Founders Show—it gave us the chance to introduce our brand and its benefits to so many people!”

…November 2017

Just a month later, we were back on VOX—this time not in the cave itself, but with a camera crew for our first "recap" segment (a part of the show that gives updates on start-ups after their deals). We visited our oat mill, "Rubinmühle," in the Black Forest, exploring the art of perfect oatmeal with Judith Williams. During the mill tour, we witnessed how oat grains are transformed into the flakes that form the base of all our porridges. A special highlight for us was the charming "bear hut" at this historic mill, which dates back to the 14th century. It's no wonder we felt so at home!

... 2017 and 2018

True fans of The Lion's Den know that many start-ups not only land deals but also gain invaluable support from their investors' vast networks. Between 2017 and 2018, 3Bears appeared in two more recap episodes. What made these special was that investor Frank Thelen invited his seven food start-ups to network, share experiences, and learn from one another. In 2017, 3Bears founders Caro and Tim traveled to Mallorca, and in 2018, they headed to the Tyrolean Alps. While the VOX recaps gave viewers a glimpse into the educational and intensive "Food Family" workshop days, there was also plenty of time for relaxation and team building.

… October 2018

Who would have thought that there would be a porridge world championship? A year after our first recap, we appeared in the lion's den again. The 3Bears team headed to the Scottish Highlands to cheer on founder Caro at this unique world championship. There was a competition to cook porridge, which not only had to look good but also had a special taste that would impress the jury. Caro tried to win the title with an innovative apple strudel porridge recipe. In the end it wasn't quite enough, but the 3Bears team returned to their hometown - Munich with fresh inspiration and motivation. Check out our “behind the scene” video about the shoot:

… October 2020

With our third recap, exactly three years after our pitch and deal, it became clear how successful 3Bears is. As popularity grew, so did the team behind the feel-good food. There's no question that we little bears needed a larger office with more space. In this new office in Munich we were able to welcome a very special guest: Georg Kofler, who joined as an investor instead of Judith. VOX accompanied us with the camera. 3Bears, now a strong digital brand, developed its own YouTube format “Caroline's Kitchen Magic”. In the DHDL recap we showed how the format is produced and shot a great episode with special guest Cathy Hummels. Well, curious? See for yourself:

… March 2023

At 3Bears we not only focus on developing beneficial oatmeal products, but also on joint sporting activities. That's why we were a proud sponsor of the Bienwald Marathon. The entire 3Bears team gathered to support the runners with delicious snacks. Many of our employees took part in the marathon themselves, led by co-founder Tim. As part of a recent DHDL recap, he attempted to set a world record as the fastest runner in a bear costume. Georg Kofler was also there to cheer on the team. In the end, Tim was happy about a successful attempt. A day full of team spirit, porridge, overnight oats and great runners – it couldn’t have been nicer!