The Discovery channel has one of my favorite shows that feature several entrepreneur Storm Chasers who risk their lives to report data, get video’s and provide warnings of impending tornado’s to local news media to help save lives.
The show showcases the equipment, the relationships and reports on the money that each team needs to raise to fund their research.
Sean, who has the TIV (Tornado Intercept Vehicle), uses the vehicle to get into tornado’s while shooting IMAX footage in an effort to make a documentary. Some of his funding is tied to Josh, who runs the Vortex2 team and is all about scientific data. Josh has by far the largest team of people and equipment, but has a love/hate relationship with Sean.
Reed has the next teem and has a business that sells tornado videos so that he is able to fund his research. Like Sean, Reed built a vehicle to go into tornado’s with; however the vehicle is not built as heavy which has not seemed to be a problem in this season so far.
Reed was able to deploy probes into a tornado on the latest episode by shooting them out of cannons directly into a storm. He literally got video that straight up the tornado, which was incredible shots.
The third group is headed up by Tim, like Josh, does not drive into tornado’s but deploys probes that sit on the ground and measure data from the base of the storms. Tim also has to work with investors to fund the project, and his board required that he meet with them on perfect chase days, which to me doesn’t seem very smart, but when you have to report to a board or investors, you are going to have to do things that you don’t like at extremely inconvenient times.
If you haven’t seen the show, it’s an exciting educational packed hour that plays on Wednesday nights, however next Wednesday will be the season finally. If you miss it, you should be able to watch the full episodes either online, or buy Storm Chasers Season 4 + Greatest Storms on DVD.
There you have it, I like the show because it’s exciting and it’s what entrepreneurs are all about.