The Trump administration has announced that rapper Nicki Minaj and actor Dean Cain will participate in a special event similar to the popular TV show Shark Tank, organized by the Small Business Administration (SBA). The event, called the "Million Dollar Pitch Competition," is set for September 18 and will feature five entrepreneurs pitching their small business ideas to a panel of judges for a chance to win a share of a $1 million prize pool. The competition is part of a larger initiative called Freedom 250, launched by the administration to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States. Nicki Minaj, known for her hit song "Starships" and for calling herself a "No. 1 fan" of former President Donald Trump, will join the judging panel alongside other notable figures such as Airbnb co-founder Joe Gebbia and investor Grant Cardone. Dean Cain, best known for playing Superman in the 1990s TV series Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, will serve as the event’s host in Washington, D.C. The five finalists competing in the pitch competition are Compotech Inc., Winton Machine, Plas-Tech Tooling, Red River, and VetPowered. Prizes range from $75,000 for fifth place to $400,000 for the winner. SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler highlighted the significance of the event, saying that the presence of celebrities like Minaj and Cain would add to the excitement of the competition. She emphasized that the event aims to celebrate the achievements of small businesses and their role in the American economy. The competition is part of Freedom 250, a public-private partnership launched in 2025 to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding. The initiative includes a range of activities designed to support small businesses and promote economic growth. The "Million Dollar Pitch Competition" is intended to showcase the innovative ideas of American entrepreneurs and provide them with a platform to gain funding and visibility. By bringing together high-profile figures and successful business leaders, the event aims to highlight the importance of small businesses in driving economic progress. The SBA has emphasized that the competition reflects the administration’s commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and supporting the backbone of the American economy.