White House To Air ‘Apprentice’-Style Pitch Show for Government Funding

Five U.S. small businesses are getting ready to pitch themselves — including their products, community services and “how they punch above their weight” — to a celebrity panel of rapper Nicki Minaj, financial influencer Grant Cardone and Airbnb co-founder Joe Gebbia for a chance to win their share of $1 million from the U.S. Small Business Administration.The government-sponsored competition, modeled on the early 2000s reality show ‘The Apprentice,’ which played on President Donald Trump’s reputation as a brash businessman, will stream live from Washington, D.C. on September 18.“The Million-Dollar Pitch Competition is really amplifying the importance of small businesses across America,” Small Business Administrator Kelly Loeffler said Tuesday morning in an interview on Fox & Friends. You think about 36 million small businesses; 98 percent of our manufacturers are small businesses, and so we’re really excited to highlight their contributions to Main Street.”The finalist companies are defense technology company Compotech, Inc. of Maine; Georgia-based metalworking machinery manufacturer Winton Machine, Iowa plastic mold manufacturer Plas-Tech Tooling; Red River, which manufactures pressure vessels out of Wyoming; and machinery manufacturer VetPowered LLC from California.Each company stands to walk away with at least $75,000, while the winner will take home $400,000.“This is a major, MAJOR KEY,” Ms. Minaj said in an X post Monday. “Sooooooooooo looking forward to this!!! Imagine being a part of the Trump Administration’s initiative to support small businesses. Let’s GO!!!!!!!!!!”Ms. Minaj, the best-selling female rapper to date, has emerged as a vocal MAGA supporter during President Trump’s second term, a position that has alienated a significant swath of her largely young, black and female fanbase, a demographic that has long leaned firmly left. Mr. Gebbia is currently part of the Trump administration, having joined the Department of Government Efficiency last year before being tapped by the president to lead the newly-formed National Design Studio. The White House office designed websites for some of the president’s signature programs including TrumpAccounts.gov and TrumpRx.gov.“May the best idea win” he posted Monday.Actor Dean Cain, best known for his portrayal of Superman on the 90s TV series ‘Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman,’ is set to host the event. “Honored!!” he wrote in response to a Small Business Administration post announcing the competition.Mr. Cardone — who is known for his financial hot-takes, including warning his followers against buying homes, and once called starting a business “the stupidest, most selfish thing” a person could do — also expressed his enthusiasm on social media.“Super excited and grateful to be a part of this incredible initiative,” he wrote on X. “See you guys in DC!”

White House To Air ‘Apprentice’-Style Pitch Show for Government Funding

White House To Air ‘Apprentice’-Style Pitch Show for Government Funding

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