Nicki Minaj is taking her business expertise to the nation’s capital. The “Starships” rapper, a vocal supporter of President Donald Trump, is set to serve as a judge for the Small Business Administration’s Million Dollar Pitch Competition, which will take place live in Washington D.C. on September 18.
Minaj will be joined on the judging panel by entrepreneur and private equity fund manager Grant Cardone and Airbnb co-founder Joe Gebbia. The event, which is being hosted by former Superman star Dean Cain, will feature five finalists vying for a share of a $1 million prize pot. While all five finalists are guaranteed a payout, the judges will ultimately decide how the money is divided.
Minaj shared her excitement about the initiative on X, writing, “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!!!!!!!!!!”
SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler noted the significance of the event, stating, “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.”
The competition, which features a format similar to Shark Tank and the President’s former reality series The Apprentice, follows a nationwide search that saw entrepreneurs from across the U.S. submit pitches earlier this year.