Rapper Nicki Minaj has joined the judging panel for the Small Business Administration's Million Dollar Pitch Competition taking place in Washington D.C.
The government agency announced the experts deciding the fate of five small business finalists on Tuesday ahead of the live final scheduled for September 18.
Minaj, 43, joins private equity fund manager Grant Cardone and Airbnb co-founder Joe Gebbia on the panel, while actor Dean Cain is hosting the event.
The Small Business Administration (SBA) is a federal government agency responsible for assisting, counseling, and protecting the interests of small business concerns across the United States. Its Million Dollar Pitch Competition will see five selected companies compete directly for a share of $1 million in growth capital.
According to Fox News Digital, the finalists will receive varying sums depending on their final placement. First place will receive $400,000, second place will get $250,000, third place takes $150,000, fourth place secures $125,000, and fifth place receives $75,000, ensuring no finalist leaves empty-handed.
Judging panel and competition prize money
SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler told Fox News Digital that the initiative celebrates "America's legacy of free enterprise." She described the upcoming contest as "a historic live event showcasing the essential contributions of America's small businesses."
Loeffler said the participation of Minaj, Cardone, and Gebbia brings invaluable perspective to the contest. "Their participation brings invaluable real-world perspective as our five exceptional finalists compete for a share of $1 million in growth capital," Loeffler added.
"I look forward to joining them next month as we recognize the innovators and job creators who power American strength," Loeffler said.
Cardone is a private equity fund manager and entrepreneur known for authoring business books, while Gebbia co-founded the online rental platform Airbnb and serves as U.S. Chief Design Officer. Cain is best known for playing Superman in the 1990s television series Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman.
The five small business finalists
The five finalists competing in the nation's capital represent a diverse range of American manufacturing and technology sectors from across five different states.
They include defense technology company Compotech, Inc., based in Brewer, Maine, and metalworking machinery manufacturer Winton Machine, located in Suwanee, Georgia.
Also competing for the top prize are plastic mold manufacturing company Plas-Tech Tooling from Garner, Iowa, pressure vessel manufacturer Red River from Gillette, Wyoming, and machinery manufacturing firm VetPowered LLC from San Diego, California.
Each company will make its pitch directly to the judging panel in Washington D.C. on September 18 to determine how the $1 million in total funding will be awarded.
Minaj's political shift and support for Trump
Minaj's appointment to the federal agency's panel comes nine months after the rapper publicly expressed support for President Donald Trump, indicating that their political relationship remains strong.
In an interview with Time in May, the music star revealed what motivated her recent shift away from the Democratic Party and toward Trump and the Republican Party.
She explained that a major turning point occurred after her home was targeted by internet trolls in several "swatting" incidents, where fake emergency calls are made to dispatch armed police to a location.
Minaj said California Governor Gavin Newsom ignored her pleas for assistance following the security incidents. "He just completely ignored me, with all the money I spent in taxes," the artist, who previously called herself Trump's "number one fan," told Time.
The artist said Republican Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna offered to help her in 2025, connecting the musician with federal law-enforcement officials and a private security firm.
"I was shocked," Minaj said of the assistance she received from Luna, adding, "I'd never seen anyone in politics treat me that way."
Minaj said that intervention convinced her to go public about her conservative political views. "That's what made me say that I don't care to keep this a secret anymore," she explained.
She admitted having initial reservations about speaking out because she did not want to alienate her fanbase. "I felt that way already about him, just that I didn't dare act like that publicly," she said.
Return to television judging
The SBA competition marks a return to a high-profile judging role for Minaj, who last served as a talent judge 13 years ago on the Fox network.
Minaj sat on the judging panel for American Idol in 2013 alongside singers Mariah Carey and Keith Urban and record producer Randy Jackson.
The Trinidadian-born artist, known for hit songs including Super Bass and Anaconda, will now judge small business entrepreneurs instead of musicians when the finalists pitch in September.
