New Delhi: Singer-songwriter Nicki Minaj will serve as a judge of the Donald Trump administration’s upcoming Shark Tank-like small-business competition. The event, called Million Dollar Pitch Competition, will be held on 18 September in Washington DC. The winner will receive a prize money of $400,000 (over Rs 3.79 crore).
Minaj, who has been a vocal supporter of Trump, said in a social media post that she is “sooo looking forward” to the event.
“This is a major, MAJOR KEY. Sooooooooooo looking forward to this!!! Imagine being a part of the Trump Administration’s initiative to support small businesses. Let’s GO!!!!!!!!!!,” Minaj wrote.
This is a major, MAJOR KEY 🔑.
Sooooooooooo looking forward to this!!!
Imagine being a part of the Trump Administration’s initiative to support small businesses. Let’s GO!!!!!!!!!! 🎀 https://t.co/ykXLkjQlag
— Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) August 31, 2026
Minaj will be joined by entrepreneur and private equity fund manager Grant Cardone and co-founder of Airbnb and US Chief Design Office Joe Gebbia on the judging panel. Former Superman actor Dean Cain will host the event.
“As our nation marks its 250th anniversary, the SBA is celebrating America’s legacy of free enterprise through the Million Dollar Pitch Competition—a historic live event showcasing the essential contributions of America’s small businesses,” SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler told Fox News Digital.
The Trump administration is bringing a $1M small-business pitch competition to Washington next month.
Nicki Minaj, Grant Cardone and Airbnb co-founder Joe Gebbia will judge the five finalists, with Dean Cain hosting.
The Sept. 18 event will award $400K to the winner, with every… pic.twitter.com/gPhAerzgVR
— Fox News Politics (@foxnewspolitics) August 31, 2026
Five finalists have advanced to the competition: defense technology company Compotech, Inc., based in Brewer, Maine; metalworking machinery manufacturer Winton Machine of Suwanee, Georgia; plastic mold manufacturer Plas-Tech Tooling in Garner, Iowa; pressure vessel manufacturer Red River in Gillette, Wyoming; and San Diego-based machinery manufacturer VetPowered LLC.
The participants were evaluated across several categories, including their ability to strengthen American competitiveness, economic impact, quality job creation, overall business fundamentals and readiness to execute.
Every finalist is reportedly guaranteed a cash prize. The winner will receive $400,000, while second and third ranks will take home $250,000 (Rs 2.37 crore) and $150,000 (Rs 1.42 crore), respectively. Fourth-place will receive $125,000 (Rs 1.18 crore), and the fifth-place finalist will get $75,000 (over Rs 71 lakh).
Million Dollar Pitch Competition also bears similarities to Trump’s early-2000s hit reality show The Apprentice.
(Edited by Stela Dey)