A3 – Beyond Reading

Hi Victoria, Beyond Reading sounds like a much needed product to help students with language learning disabilities and struggles to access the rich world of books. Being able to listen to audiobooks and highlighted text would be a boon for dyslexic children and also for ESL/EFL Learners who may recognize the printed words but not know how to pronounce them correctly or recognize them when heard (such is the confusion of how English words should be pronounced). Being able to choose between the two main standards of pronunciation - American or British English will extend the use of this technology not only in the Anglophone market but also to countries in the developing world eager to teach ESL/EFL programmes online where there is adequate internet coverage. In Vietnam for example, parents are not able to read to their children in English and local teachers of English do not have good pronunciation. They will therefore find such a product a great asset to add to their library. The built in comprehension checks and data management tools will relieve teachers of burdensome administrative work in large developing world classrooms. Given the option of a home-based subscription, Beyond Reading can also be used as a leisure reading resource so that learners, both disabled and ESL/EFL can build their own personalized library and reading journey outside the classroom assessment environment. Being able to read to themselves will allow students to become independent readers. Although you have strong competitors like Raz Kids and Epic, the assistive technologies built into Beyond Reading will be immensely helpful for struggling readers and their parents.

Beyond Reading sounds like it could be a great and flexible resource for students with a variety of learning disabilities. After listening to your pitch, I understand the need for more supportive technology. It’s clear how your product could help meet this need and how your product differs from others on the market. I was particularly interested in the audiobook function and assistive technology functions you mentioned. I think case studies demonstrating the impact of this system on teachers, students and school systems at large would strengthen your pitch. I’d also like to get a better understanding of the logistics of the teacher-created library of resources. What kind of review process or rating system would be in place to ensure high quality and appropriately tagged resources? Expanding on this element would be helpful and might further distinguish it from the competition. More specific details about the intended roll out of the product would also be useful from an investor’s standpoint.

Hi Victoria, Your focus on literacy for those with learning disabiliites is admirable and needed in many communities around the world. Your pitch materials were clear and comprehensive. Since Beyond Reading is in market, it would be exciting to see a demo of someone using it. An investor might appreciate that emotional value in something that has been market tested. Since Canada is your initial primary market, as an investor I might also want to see your plan for Canadian expansion. Finally in exchange for the $1.5 million investment, I would want to see your path to profitability; number of target # school boards over the course of the next few years, would be a key metric. Thanks!

Review: Hello Victoria, I’m always interested in listening to new and innovative ways in which ICT can promote literacy. Well done for doing so with Beyond Reading. If I were an actually investor I would have a couple concerns that I would like addressed before I would provide your company with any capital. Firstly, I am a bit concerned with the sheer volume of competition that you would be facing. Online literacy programs, such as Epic and RAZ kids, already have a strong foothold in the market. With teachers and parents already familiar with programs, such as these, what would be your strategy in convincing them to change? I understand that your company provides a focus upon children with LD, but that brings me to my second query. You mentioned, in your pitch, that 3% of British Columbia school students have learning disabilities. Is that enough of the market to sway school boards into investing in a new online literacy program? It is clear that you are very passionate about providing an environment in which all students should be able to read. Coming from an investors perspective, however, I feel these issues do need to be addressed.