Charlottetown-based Ooka Island Inc. will pitch their online early literacy program on the Dragons' Den program Sunday.
The popular program will air on CBC at 8 p.m. AST. An encore airing of the program will be shown on Wednesday at 8 p.m.
"It is very exciting for our company to have the opportunity to pitch our unique products on the Dragons' Den and get feedback from some of the most successful business leaders in the country," said Joelle MacPhee, director of reading partnerships for Ooka Island Inc.
MacPhee said Ooka Island, formed in 2008, has combined science-based reading methods with dazzling 3-D technology to develop the only comprehensive early literacy program offered exclusively through technology for children ages three to seven.
The readers' progress through the adventure's 24 levels is dependent upon acquiring the skills needed to learn to read. The continuing adventure becomes customized to individual players, who are redirected to activities related to reading skills they have not yet mastered. Ooka Island Adventure products are currently being used in 22 countries world-wide.
"The results speak for themselves. Parents, teachers and school principals have seen drastic improvements in early literacy skills for their students," said MacPhee. "As for the young students, they just love playing the game."
While the company is unable to speak about the specifics of the show prior to airing, MacPhee said appearing in the Dragons' Den was a unique and exhilarating experience, made even more interesting by the fact 'Dragon' Kevin O'Leary has a long history with the development of children's literacy software products.
"Kevin O'Leary has a reputation for never holding back his opinions on the products that are pitched in the Den. With Ooka Island, it is safe to say he was true to form," said MacPhee.
Ooka Island Inc. has already appeared on a reality TV business show. The company was featured in August on Backyard Inventors, a show that travels across Canada in search of everyday inventors with exceptional ideas.
Smart enough? You mean they knew the government would give them more than any private investor would ever be willing to do with their own money. It's much easier to give away other peoples money than your own.