Entering the ‘Shark Tank’

Barely into its second season, the ABC reality TV show “Shark Tank” has yet to enter the national consciousness.

But for one Northwest Arkansas company, Whispers can’t imagine a more important show on the tube this week.

101 Ventures of Bentonville, a company touting its ability to “start and grow capital-efficient businesses,” will watch one of its newest clients pitch his product for potential millions during the one-hour episode set to air May 6 starting at 7 p.m.

Jeff Stroope, a Cabot firefighter and inventor of the Hy-Conn fire hose connector, will appear on the show to deliver a business proposal to a panel of “Sharks” – business tycoons – who then decide whether or not to invest, both personally and financially.

The Hy-Conn innovation connects fire hoses to hydrants in less than three seconds, saving about 30 seconds when compared to traditional connectors. There’s also a smaller home edition for connecting to garden hoses.

Stroope and his Hy-Conn LLC partnered with 101 Solutions only recently. Matt Pifer, Jeff Clapper and Mike Cockrell are the partners there.