In 2026, 5 US businesses reached a $1 million pitch competition judged by Nicki Minaj; meet the entrepreneurs behind them

The US Small Business Administration's Million Dollar Pitch Competition brought five American businesses before a judging panel. It featured Nicki Minaj, Grant Cardone and Joe Gebbia. The finalists represented specialised industries that ranged from defence materials and industrial machinery to energy infrastructure and veteran employment.

Million Dollar Pitch Competition

The US Small Business Administration (SBA) organised the Million Dollar Pitch Competition as part of its Freedom 250 initiative marking America's 250th anniversary.

Five businesses reached the final after being selected from 1,182 businesses representing all 50 US states. The final was held before a live audience in Washington, DC, on September 18, 2026.


The $1 million prize pool was funded by Clover Network, Inc., a payments technology company. Judges included rapper and entrepreneur Nicki Minaj, real estate investor Grant Cardone and Airbnb co-founder Joe Gebbia. Actor Dean Cain hosted the programme. US President Donald Trump made a special appearance. The finalists also visited the White House to meet him.

The five business and their representatives

1. Compotech, Inc. - Maine

-Representative: Paul Melrose.

-The company grew out of university research

-Develops advanced composite structures, deployable shelters and ballistic protection systems.

-Serves military and commercial markets.

ALSO READ: Meet Amos Miller, man who lost his sight in his 20s, built an AI-powered robot to help blind people navigate easily

2. Winton Machine Company - Georgia

-Representatives: Lisa and George Winton.

-Designs machinery for bending tubes and coaxial cables.

-Its equipment serves defence, aerospace and commercial industries.

3. Plas-Tech Tooling. - Iowa

-Representatives: Dean, Ryan and Andrew Sonquist.

-Manufactures custom CNC-machines components, injection-moulded plastic parts and fabricated tooling.

ALSO READ: Meet Doug McMillon, who unloaded Walmart trucks as a teenager in 1984; 30 years later, he became CEO of the retail giant

4. Red River, LLC - Wyoming

-Representative: Marshall Sasse.

-Engineers and fabricated pressure vessels, modular skids and prefabricated energy solutions.

5. VetPowered, LLC - California

-Representative: Hernan Luis y Prado.

-Provided CNC Machining, metal fabrication and industrial machinery repair.

Prize distribution

The competition offered a total of $1 million in prize money. The first place winner was set to receive $400,000, followed by $250,000 for second place and $150,000 for third. The fourth-and fifth-place finalists were allocated $125,000 and $75,000, respectively.