When we talk about consumption, one aspect becomes increasingly important: sustainability. Reducing waste, saving resources, energy and CO2 emissions and thus protecting our earth are criteria that we incorporate more into our purchasing decisions. Rightly so. The founder of The Way Up combines sustainability and aesthetics and appears in the start-up show “Die Höhle der Löwen”. The star took a close look at the products in advance.
Decorate yourself in style and appreciate nature at the same time: That is Lisa Mathieu’s approach, which she is pursuing with her start-up The Way Up. Their products are all made from recycled or upcycled materials: recycling used glass saves new raw materials and energy. Waste glass melts at lower temperatures and therefore uses less energy than the production of new glass. In addition, resources are saved because no new raw materials such as sand are required to manufacture the glass products. Leftovers from the waste glass container are melted down, given the desired shape and sprayed with organic paint by hand.
In addition, old wood from parquet, for example from gyms, is breathed new life into and a handsome table is made from it. This is done by preparing the old wood, nails and other disruptive factors are removed by hand. Smaller supposed blemishes and signs of the times are welcome and make up the individual, authentic look.
The Berliner’s portfolio includes around 180 products: around 100 vases in various sizes and shapes, crockery, accessories and tables. “I’ve always had a penchant for modern, minimalist interior design, but at the same time I also have a great connection to nature and old materials. In the home and living area, old materials are usually associated with rustic furniture or colorful fabrics patched together. I wanted to change that and felt a need for unique furniture: modern interior design with a traditional, individual history,” explains Mathieu. With this approach, she also wants to convince the lions from DHDL.
We looked at the products before the show aired. stern tested a vase made of old glass (“Francisca”) and a recycled glass bowl (“Sofia XL”). At first glance, both products look very high-quality and modern: they are very stable due to the thicker glass and yet do not appear too bulky. Due to their imperfect shape and smaller bubbles, they are real eye-catchers and you can see the handwork on them. They don’t look like “waste products” at all – on the contrary. There is something luxurious about them, despite the minimalist design. You can’t tell by looking at them that they aren’t completely “new”. They have something authentic, individual, loving and you can tell that they are not subject to mass production, but are unique. In terms of price, they are not above comparable competing products. The color of the colored vase looks very natural and of high quality. The clear glass bowl is clear with no quirks or discoloration. Aesthetic, high-quality and yet simple: that is what makes the glass products special.
All in all, The Way Up is definitely convincing in terms of optics and approach. The value for money is fair and reasonable. The products made from recycled glass are stable, really attractive and you buy them with a better conscience than less sustainable alternatives. You should support that. The design is minimalist and fits in with many furnishing styles. The “Greta” table made of 100-year-old, processed parquet is also robust and looks good. Investing in chic, durable design from discarded items instead of investing in disposable products: This is an approach that people like and that also deserves attention at DHDL.
Sounds good, looks good – but do the investors also see it that way? After all, 100,000 euros are desired for 15 percent of the company shares. You can see whether Lisa Mathieus gets a deal tonight from 8:15 p.m. on “Die Höhle der Löwen” on Vox.
This article contains so-called affiliate links. Further information are available here.
