The SBA Patriot Pitch Competition: Your Business can be America’s next winner

By: Tyler Teresa,  U.S. Small Business Administration Southeast Regional Administrator overseeing the agency’s programs and services in Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.

Since the founding of our great nation, American innovation has transformed lives by turning bold ideas into the American dream of owning your own small business.  As the United States approaches its 250th  anniversary, the American Dream is alive and well, and there’s a new opportunity for entrepreneurs to step into the spotlight by entering to compete in the Freedom 250 Patriot Pitch Competition!

We are putting entrepreneurs first with the launch of the Freedom 250 Patriot Pitch Competition, a national competition led by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to spotlight and support the businesses driving America forward. With a total cash prize pool of $1 million—made possible by a generous contribution from Clover Network, Inc.—the competition celebrates entrepreneurs who do what Americans do best: solve problems, build businesses, and create jobs.

The Patriot Pitch Competition is more than a contest. It is a showcase of grit, talent, and American exceptionalism. It recognizes entrepreneurs who prove that when Americans set their minds to something, whether in a garage, a workshop, a kitchen table, or on a factory floor, they get things done while supporting their local economies.

Selected businesses will be invited to compete in a live pitch event in Washington, D.C., culminating in $1 million in prizes to honor the innovation and ambition that have powered American ingenuity for more than two and a half centuries.

To apply, your business must:

 Have at least three years of operating history
 Generate at least $100,000 in annual revenue
 Have used one or more SBA capital products
 Be fully owned by U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents
 Show how you are innovating in your industry and moving our Nation Forward!

You can review full eligibility details here: https://www.sba.gov/document/support-patriot-pitch-competition-terms-conditions.

The top 10 semifinalists will be announced this summer at the Great American State Fair. Five finalists will advance to the live pitch competition in Washington, D.C.

For 250 years, American growth has been fueled by small businesses—the job creators, risk takers, and makers. The Patriot Pitch Competition puts that proud tradition front and center, shining a national spotlight on the businesses shaping America’s future.

The deadline to apply is June 10 at 11:59 p.m. ET.  I encourage small business owners to submit their applications not only to celebrate their own accomplishments, but to celebrate our Nation’s 250th birthday knowing that small businesses contribute every day to the growth and prosperity of the United States. More information about the contest can be found here: Freedom 250 Patriot Pitch Competition.

About the U.S. Small Business Administration 
The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of entrepreneurship. As the leading voice for small businesses within the federal government, the SBA empowers job creators with the resources and support they need to start, grow, and expand their businesses or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.