A Traverse City entrepreneur is poised to take a dangerous dive into the murky financial waters of the Shark Tank, a reality television series.

The show features five "Sharks" – multi-millionaire business tycoons – who hear investment proposals from entrepreneurs and consider whether to invest in their businesses.

Andy Humphrey, owner of TC's EcoMower, recently talked with The Ticker about his April 29 appearance on the ABC show where he’ll seek financial backing for the environmentally friendly push-reel mower he's designed – the Helix EcoMower, a rugged human-powered mower that features a unique “helix” blade system made from heat-treated carbon steel for strength. The Helix’s unique handle is crafted with its user in mind.

“We wanted the Helix to be more comfortable and less stressful to the hands and wrists than other reel mowers,” adds Humphrey, a 32-year-old Vermont native who moved to Traverse City in 2006 and launched EcoMower the following May. “Our padded, ergonomically designed handle gives a superior grip and makes for easy maneuvering through tight spots, while minimizing shake and shock to the body.”

Though the Helix is the first mower Humphrey designed himself, it isn't his first dip into the entrepreneurial world. The Montana State University graduate (bachelor's degree in landscape management, naturally) launched his first online business in 2004. Shark Tank is his first round with reality TV.

“I sent Shark Tank an email in February of 2010 and never heard anything,” he says. “Then in September, I heard from them. We did a couple of phone interviews, and I sent them a video. They liked that, and we did more interviews. The final decision was made four days before the taping. It was: ‘OK, Andy, we want you.”

Humphrey spent a week in Los Angeles prepping for the show’s taping.

The show's format works like this: Each show features investment proposals from a business owner, whose presentation must request a specific sum of money from the Sharks and offer a chunk of the business in exchange. The pitches typically include a description of the service or product, a discussion of the business's history, and its financial figures (current sales, profit margins, costs, etc.).

Presenters also detail their business plan, then the Sharks grill the presenters. Any of the five Sharks may make a cash offer to the entrepreneur in return for a share of the business – sometimes up to 75 percent. If an offer is made, the presenter must decide whether to accept or decline.

Humphrey can't reveal the outcome of his appearance, but he is making plans for the business regardless. Next month, he's taking his Helix to the National Hardware Show in Las Vegas, and he feels confident it'll be a hit. “This is a 100-percent eco-friendly lawn mower that every American can use to help better the environment.” Lawns included.