The US Small Business Administration is staging a live "Million Dollar Pitch Competition" in Washington, DC, on 18 September, in which five small businesses will pitch for a share of a $1 million prize fund in front of a celebrity judging panel. SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler framed the event as part of celebrations for America's 250th anniversary, highlighting the contribution of small businesses to the economy, while the format deliberately echoes the Trump-era reality show "The Apprentice."

Judges for the final will include rapper Nicki Minaj, investor Grant Cardone and Airbnb co-founder Joe Gebbia, with actor Dean Cain hosting. The five finalists—Compotech, Winton Machine, Plas-Tech Tooling, Red River and VetPowered—were chosen from nationwide submissions and represent sectors including defence technology and metalworking. Prize money will be split by ranking: $400,000 for first place, down to $75,000 for fifth, meaning every finalist receives some funding.