WASHINGTON — Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced that its Million Dollar Pitch Competition will stream starting October 20 on Prime Video and YouTube. The high-stakes contest, hosted by Dean Cain and judged by celebrity entrepreneurs Nicki Minaj, Grant Cardone, and Joe Gebbia, was taped before a live audience in Washington, D.C., where five finalists pitched their small businesses for a chance to win a portion of a $1 million cash prize pool funded by Clover Network, Inc. (Clover). The show includes a special appearance by President Donald J. Trump and recalls the vision he shared with the nation during The Apprentice, an award-winning show that celebrated the tenacity and vision required to compete and win in business.
“The Trump SBA is thrilled to announce that the Million Dollar Pitch Competition will stream on Prime Video and YouTube reaching audiences across our country and around the world, celebrating 250 years of free enterprise, American exceptionalism, and the hardworking small businesses that make it possible,” said SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler. “Competing nationally to reach the stage, five exceptional entrepreneurs put everything on the line to earn a share of a $1 million cash prize pool – showcasing the grit, vision, and sacrifice of Main Street leaders who believe in the American Dream. The SBA is proud to highlight the importance and contributions of our nation’s small businesses, while inspiring the next generation of entrepreneurs, risk-takers, and innovators to build their future.”
Launched as part of the SBA’s Freedom 250 celebration, the Million Dollar Pitch Competition marks the culmination of a nationwide entrepreneurship contest created to honor the innovation, grit, and economic impact of America’s Main Street businesses. The five finalists put their business acumen, growth strategies, and vision to the test – while sharing the personal stories of resilience and sacrifice that brought them to the national stage. The special gives audiences across America and around the world a window into the families, workers, and communities that power our nation’s economy from jobs to innovation and growth in every state.
The following national finalists are featured in the Million Dollar Pitch Competition finale:
- Paul Melrose, Compotech, Inc. (Brewer, Maine)
- Lisa and George Winton, Winton Machine (Suwanee, Georgia)
- Dean, Ryan, and Andrew Sonquist, Plas-Tech Tooling Inc. (Garner, Iowa)
- Marshall Sasse, Red River (Gillette, Wyoming)
- Hernán Luis y Prado, VetPowered LLC (San Diego, California)
The finalists competed for five cash prizes funded by Clover:
- First Place: $400,000
- Second Place: $250,000
- Third Place: $150,000
- Fourth Place: $125,000
- Fifth Place: $75,000
