KITCHENER — Two Waterloo Region entrepreneurs have scored in the Dragons' Den, netting financial backing for their sports screen venture from a virtual neighbour.

David Chilton, one of the investors on the CBC television show, has partnered with Mark Shaver and Russ Lennon, owners of The SportScreen.

The SportScreen is a power roll-up screen designed to protect garage doors from being damaged by pucks and balls fired by aspiring athletes.

Shaver and Lennon were looking for $80,000 for a 20 per cent stake in the Kitchener business in an episode that was taped last April, and broadcast on Wednesday night.

Four of the five investors on the show — Chilton, Vikram Vij, Michael Wekerle and Jim Treliving — made pitches to invest in the business, but Chilton, author of "The Wealthy Barber," ultimately won out.

Chilton, who lives just outside of Waterloo, offered $80,000, but rather than take an equity stake in the business he asked for a royalty payment of seven per cent of sales after the first year, with total payments capping out at $200,000.

"We have to stick together in Kitchener-Waterloo," Chilton told Shaver and Lennon as they shook hands on the deal.

On Thursday, Shaver and Lennon said the exposure on national TV was as important as the financing they received from Chilton. They started receiving inquiries, and orders, as soon as the episode aired.

Online sales have accounted for most of their revenue to this point. Shaver and Lennon said that since the episode was taped they have made some changes to pave the way for retail distribution.

The SportScreen is now easier to install and the packaging is more compact. They also are introducing a manual version to reduce the price point. A power unit can be added to the manual version later.

Shaver and Lennon told the investors on Dragons' Den they had sales of $50,000 in the first full year in business and $80,000 in the second year. On Thursday, they said they are on track to hit sales of $150,000 this year.

"It's been interesting and fun," said Shaver.