SBA's Million Dollar Pitch Competition

Hello from Washington DC and welcome to an extraordinary show. We've locked down our loading dock and we've ordered security because thanks to our friends from Clover, this is $1 million. And tonight we're giving it all away. But this money is more than just a prize. It's recognition. It's validation. It is a vote of confidence in the American dream. As we celebrate our 250th, I'm Dean Kaine and welcome to the Million-Dollar Pitch. America was built on small business. Small businesses create 40% of all economic activity in the United States. And that ends up being a really big business. But there is nothing small about running a small business. The workload is massive, the pressure is intense, and the responsibility can be crushing. >> 98% of our work dried up. Were there moments that we didn't think that we'd make it? Uh, yes. >> Thousands of applications flooded in from around the country and five businesses emerged. >> We're going to the Oval Office. We're going to go meet with President Trump. >> Who's going to win it? >> There you go. You're pretty successful people, right? It's all on the line as one by one they pitch their company. >> We started by saying one word. Yes. >> This is the classic entrepreneur story. >> We didn't have a big building, but what we had was the belief we could build a better life for our family. >> Well, I have to say I love a good origin story. And we're going to stamp them with these three words. Made in America. >> Who will be the best of America's best? >> Okay. Explain it to me so I can see it. >> Your products are unbelievable, but I can't just invest in feelings. I was looking for more spirit or more energy. >> We want to be excited. >> It's a winner, and you guys are winners. >> That was the milliondoll pitch. All right. Hi everybody, I'm Dean Payne and welcome to the show that shines the spotlight on small businesses and the people that make them work. Why? Local businesses are the heartbeat of America and they shape the heartland of America. >> Now, did you know that 99% of all businesses in this country are small businesses? And outside of our big cities, they account for over half of all jobs. That is the American dream in motion. And tonight, you're about to meet five entrepreneurs who embody that dream. These founders have one shot to convince a star panel that their vision deserves the lion's share of a million dollars. Now that that million dollars has been provided by Clover Network. So hey, thank you Clover. Appreciate it. Without further ado, let's meet the business icons who will be deciding their fate. Now, first, he started from nothing and went on to build a real estate empire worth over $6 billion. He consults thousands of small businesses and Fortune 500 companies. Now, he doesn't invest in ideas. He invests in people. And tonight, he's here to see who's got what it takes. Ladies and gentlemen, Grant Cardone. He co-founded Airbnb and transformed how the world travels. He turned a design idea into a global company. and today he serves as the first US chief design officer. Please welcome entrepreneur, innovator and champion of small business Joe Jebia. >> Joining Grant and Joe is the ultimate boss. A global phenomenon, she built her own record label, created her own brand, and turned controversy and artistry into an unstoppable empire. mogul, disruptor, and entrepreneur. Please welcome Nicki Minaj. >> Hey guys. >> So, three judges, five minutes, $1 million. This money could change the futures of not only our business owners, but the lives of their employees and their families sitting right here with us tonight. Which is why SBA administrator Kelly Leler is here to help. Now, Kelly doesn't just champion small business. She is the cabinet level voice fighting for them every single day. Ladies and gentlemen, Kelly Leler. >> Lovely to see you. >> Thank you. >> Now, Kelly, delighted to have you here with us. So, why bring the SBA into a prime time competition? >> I have the blessing of being able to travel this country constantly, meeting with small businesses, literally from Maine to Alaska, and I see how consequential small businesses are. They have truly built America for the last 250 years. Our final five tonight thought that they'd hit the jackpot just by making it on to the show, but we gave them a little bit more. Right, Kelly? >> Well, of course. Like all small businesses, we think big. So, we went all out and straight to the top. Very exciting. All right, here we go. Welcome to the White House. >> Thank you. Thanks. >> Let's head into the West Wing. >> Awesome. Thank you. Amazing. Hello everybody, >> Mr. President. These are our five finalists, the job creators, the manufacturers who are rebuilding Made in America. >> Good-looking people. >> And some of our >> best entrepreneurs. >> How are you? >> Congratulations. Very exciting. >> Yes. Very exciting. >> And it looks like somebody's going to win a lot of money, huh? Million dollars. And I said, would you do me a favor? Give a couple of hits. But I think you're pretty successful people, right? So, you know that you have to love what you do, right? Very much. >> You don't like what you do, you you wasted a lot of time. It's not going to work out. >> It's very exciting doing the show, isn't it? >> Yes, sir. >> Would you have any advice as they're pitching to our all-star lineup of judges? >> I have a feeling that they know better than all of us what to do. And if they don't, they wouldn't be here. >> That's right. >> You wouldn't be here. But it'll be great. I did this for 12 years on The Apprentice. And Kelly asked me, "Would you do it again?" just one more time. I did it. I did it for 12 years and they wanted to renew me for five more years and I said, "No, I want to run for president." They said, "You're crazy. How could that be?" Now I'm glad I did it. It's been amazing. >> So, it's very important. What you're doing is very important. Good luck, everybody. >> Thank you. >> Wow. Wow. All right. So, let let me get this straight. That's three industry titans, a live audience, fantastic live audience, by the way, the SBA administrator, and the president of the United States, who also happens to be a worldclass businessman. So, no pressure at all, never mind being a former man of steel. You need formidable nerves of steel to stand here. So, let's get to it. First up, the founder whose life-saving technology protects the people who protect us. I'm Paul Melrose. I'm a father. I'm an engineer and I'm a businessman. Growing up, my father was a small business owner. And really seeing that hard work and the growth of that business was an inspiration for me. And now being able to build Compot and follow in those footsteps is a lot of pride and joy there. We develop these technologies to protect our war fighter. We've had soldiers who work for us and they can describe what it's like to be under fire from indirect fire and even more recently drones. That mission to keep our soldiers safe is so important to us. >> Thank you. It's such an honor to be here for us. This is like the Super Bowl of small business. And speaking of football, our host set a college record, 12 interceptions in one season. Dean, I really think you're going to like this pitch here because we build interceptors, too. But first, I want to tell you about an employee. It's Amber. Amber's husband, Matt, enlisted after 911. He built his career in the US Army. But every time the army moved them, Amber had to start all over. When Amber joined Compote Tech, all that changed for her. But here's what mattered most to Amber. She works for a company that protects soldiers like her husband Matt and their friends serving around the world. As you all know, a new threat has emerged for our soldiers. Drones are targeting them. And the systems to protect them, they're not enough. Our troops need another layer of protection. Interceptor drones that can be manufactured by the millions. But right now, America can only produce a small amount, little just a fraction of what we need today. For 15 years, we built the protection that surrounds our soldiers. And now, we're going to build the protection above them, intercepting that threat before it ever reaches them. We're already building these drones. Now, it's time to scale. Together with our partners, we're going to build one of America's most advanced factories dedicated to building these defense drones. These are going to be built by American workers. And we're going to stamp them with these three words, made in America. Now, there we go. And for me, I'm very proud to say that this expansion that will more than double our team. It's going to bring good paying jobs back to our community. When we founded our company, we had the technology, we had the drive, and we had the vision for what Compot could become. But it takes a little more than that to win your first contract. We needed capital and a partner willing to take a chance on three young engineers. Our local SBA, they were that partner. They knew our business, but more importantly, they knew us. They stood behind us when it mattered. They gave us that chance and we ran with it. Today, more than 85 people are building good paying jobs at Compot. 15 years ago, three guys in Maine started Compote with just $3,000 and a used machine we found on eBay. Imagine what we can do if we win this competition. Hundreds of jobs, tens of thousands of soldiers protected. You believed in us then. Believe in us again. Choose Compote Techch and help us do more because our soldiers protect America and we protect our soldiers. We're Compotech. Together we can do more to protect our soldiers. So, Paul, man, I you know, I did a lot of research on your company before I saw this presentation, and I thought you were going to come out a little different. Um, I wish you would have saved Amber and Matt for later >> and come out with the impact and the mission and your your products are unbelievable. >> Yeah. >> And by the way, your numbers are very very impressive. >> Oh, thank you. But I can't just invest in in feelings. >> Definitely. So, um, we built it like through sweat equity, working hard and going all the way through to not needing venture capital, not diluting and really growing something that very few companies could do. >> What do you see productivity going to in the next year if you were to get >> Well, that gets back to the Dean and the interceptions. So, what the drones will do is be able to intercept anything that's coming in. So right now with our armor wall, whatever it was was coming in that hit, that attacked and we're protecting them with that wall. With an interceptor, the drones coming in and we get it before it even gets to our soldier. So you know, we're protecting our team. That's what a good defense does. >> Drones are a part of warfare forever going forward. >> Um it's a crowded marketplace. So how do you guys intend to stand out from everybody else? >> The Department of War is doing a lot there right now. There's a whole drone marketplace that's going in. So this is kind of the Amazon of drones. So the whole way the US government is buying these systems is changing. So uh the monsters don't have the capability right now to um to build that same system I just talked about. As far as I know, there's no additive manufacturing farm with over a thousand printers or anything like that. All that capability needs to be built to uh to be able to bring that all up and small businesses. Uh we can do it. It's part of the critical infrastructure that the United States needs. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Paul Melrose, everyone. >> So, Paul, great job. How do you feel? And do you think you got the message across? >> I hope so. I think they got it for sure. Walk-in helmets, protecting soldiers. Uh, yeah, they know what we're doing. >> Well, awesome job. We're back here cheering for you. >> Comote. >> That's right. >> Yeah. Awesome. Congratulations. >> Thank you so much. >> Thank you. >> Now, we're showing how small business is everybody's business and vital to the health of the economy. So, to help explain further, we called a doctor. Thank you. Hi everybody. I am Dr. Oz. And you're exactly right, Dean. Local stores, mom and pop shops, small manufacturing businesses are the lifeblood of this country. And if you want to know why, you need to take a closer look. really close because America has a DNA and America's DNA is small business. >> Sorry. Sorry. I'm getting a text from a paint store owner in Portland. His mixing systems gone down and he's getting emulsional. But yes, go on. >> Well, firstly, I want to thank you for being here. I know you're very busy. >> Busy, he says. Busy. I create 1 and a2 million new jobs every year. I'm already cutting checks for over 63 million people. Oh, and I'm responsible for 97% of America's exports. So, yes, I'm a little busy. >> Well, you also look complicated, but let me tell you, small businesses may be complicated, but wait till you hear about Medicare and Medicaid. >> I'm too busy inventing things to think about something as complicated as healthcare. I invented everything actually useful. >> You're telling me that you're involved in everything that gets made? >> Yes. Look at your tie. >> My tie? The silk farmer, the dye manufacturer, the pattern designer, the cutter, the stitcher, the quality checker. That's nine small businesses minimum just so you could look sharp. >> Wow, it's nice. >> Same thing with your wig. >> My what? >> Your wig. >> This not a wig. >> That's the hair supplier, the net maker, the glue manufacturer, the stylist who shaped it, the packaging company, the importer, the distributor. >> This is not a wig. >> Really? Well, I for one was totally fooled. Listen, I have to go. I got to sign 63 million checks before lunch. >> All right, there you have it. The DNA of America's economy. The small business, sometimes invisible, always vital, and a very hard worker. Support small business. There it is. Now, judges, I was very impressed with our first finalists. Are you ready for the next one? Okay. The husband and wife team who didn't just start a company, they innovated an entire industry. >> I'm George and I'm the president of Wininton Machine. >> I'm Lisa and I'm the CEO of Winon Machine. Our business started in our home. >> Manufacturers of certain products such as bicycles, exercise equipment, fuel lines for jet fighters, they need quality bends. And so we build the equipment that make quality bends in metal tubing. >> We want to see Winton machine as an incubator for growth as far as training and developing the workforce of the future. We're really excited in the next month or two to kick off a machining apprentichip. >> But it's those kids that are hands-on experience that will be able to feed a family for the rest of their life. >> All right, a big hand for the team that changed everything. Lisa and George Winton. >> Hi, I'm Lisa. >> And I'm George. And we are Winton Machine. >> What can you build with just two screwdrivers and a pair of pliers? For us, it was a manufacturing company with a global reach we never could have imagined. Nearly 30 years ago, we started by saying one word, yes. >> And here's where that yes has taken us. We're 38 people in Swany, Georgia, and we're focused on helping other manufacturers grow. Today, the machines we build are in over a thousand factories, 48 states, and 24 countries around the world. And that's what we consider the multiplier effect. Back in 1995, I wrote an article about a very exciting subject. Tube bending. Tube bending. Right. I told the misses back then that this is some sexy stuff. Right. It wasn't long before someone had called and asked me if I could build them a small tube bending tool. At that very moment in time, I had two screwdrivers and a pair of pliers in my basement. And I said yes. I knew with Lisa's help, we would get it done. Our basement became a machine shop. Our garage and assembly floor. George knew how to make things, but I had a business degree. But I had no idea how to start a business. So I went to the library and I checked out SBA VHS tapes. That's right, VHS tapes. That was pretty much our entrepreneurship program. Most people would never know the name Winton machine, but odds are all of you have come in contact with a product that was made on our machines. Air conditioning, refrigeration, energy, defense, quantum computing, and so much more. We've even helped our customers make parts for the Mars rover, SpaceX's rockets, and even the Iron Dome. >> We're a small manufacturer obsessed with helping other manufacturers make their products. However, it's not just about the machines we build. It's very important to Lisa and myself that we help everyone at Winton grow through continuing education and on the job training. Not only do George and I work with 22 technical colleges across the state of Georgia, we advocate for manufacturers nationally, we've also trained interns and apprentices, giving young people handson experience and a chance to see that manufacturing can be a great career. >> And let's face it, the boomers are retiring. So, we want to take their decades of knowledge and their experience and build it into our proprietary software that we call Gen 3. The goal of this innovative software is to help the American workforce become more efficient. >> If you choose Winen, every dollar will go towards accelerating Gen 3 software. It will help us train the next generation, help customers make more, and help more manufacturing happen here in the USA. That's the multiplier effect. Nearly 30 years ago, the Small Business Administration helped two people with just two screwdrivers and a pair of pliers build a business. And look what we have done with it. Say yes to Winton and let's grow the next 250 years of manufacturing here in America. Thank you. >> Well, I have to say I love a good origin story and you've clearly nailed it. Uh you had something that's relatable. Uh, you talked about the persistence. I feel like I learned about the values of your company based on how you told us how it came to be and this idea of of saying yes and how it got you with that pair of pliers. >> Yep. >> To where you are today. >> You guys are great storytellers. I met you in the White House today. I was not that impressed. >> Boomer. Your boomer syndrome. You know your your age. I had a bias about it. Right. But you guys came out made being boomers cool. Your storytelling is great. You said yes to an opportunity that you didn't know how to solve. This is the classic entrepreneur story. I don't know how to answer the question. I don't think I can do the service. I probably can't deliver it to you. Yes, I'll do it. This is classic President Donald Trump phenomenon. And when you add yes plus an opportunity plus the United States of America and add your obsession, it's a winner. And you guys are winners. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Well, I'm excited about uh where you ended the presentation. It was a nice buildup to what comes next, Gen 3. I'd love for you to tell us more about that and how these funds, should you win them, go towards that. >> So, our software is basically a bending assistant built into the new Gen 3 software will enable them to take that decades of experience and they'll be able to problem solve on the spot to make their parts. And so, um, automation is the future and we feel like it's not displacing people, it's just enabling manufacturers to move those people to other jobs and to upskill them. >> Very good. It looks like you you're predicting six and a half million in year one. What's the margin on that six and a half? >> About 40%. >> Oh, really? >> So, we build machines, so we have a good margin. the margins depend on the actual product, but then our customers are buying spare parts, they're buying software, they're buying uh service and maintenance. So, there's a lot of add-ons. And then also with the Gen 3 software, we see that a new vertical for us, a new opportunity for growth beyond the machining is selling software, right? So, not only can we sell it with our machines, but we have vendors out there, people out there that are rebuilding old machines and so they have to put new software on there. So, that would enable them to buy our software and give us that new vertical. >> Who will run the company for you guys after when you guys want to put your feet up and just, you know, lay back and, you know, enjoy what you've worked for? Who's in charge of the company? We have a a phenomenal management team in place back at Winton and the skilled machinists, the engineers, it's just we're very fortunate to be working in Swany, Georgia and have the talent we do. So, we're blessed with good people to continue on and allow us to stay on this stage today. >> Nikki wants to know who's going to run the thing when you're not around anymore. I want to know who's the boss. >> A happy wife, happy life. AMEN. GOD BLESS. Thank you, Lisa and George went. Well done, >> Lisa and George. You did it. How do you feel? >> Good. I feel really good. Very optimistic. >> I thought your message was so inspiring to so many entrepreneurs out there. The power of Yes. I loved how that resonated throughout. That was a great message. Well, you've set an incredible example for so many. >> Thank you. Thank you so much. Thank you all so much. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. Thank you. >> Okay, this next founder learned that true service isn't over when you take off the uniform. It's about lifting up those who wore one alongside you. My name is Arnal Luis Praau. I'm the CEO and founder of VetPowered LLC. We train, certify, and place veterans and to dignify lifelong careers to rebuild America's manufacturing course. One day, one of my friends caught me at the mall and he said, "Right after you left me in Iraq, I stepped on a double stacked IED and I lost both of my legs. I grabbed my wife's elbow and I said, "We're going to sell everything that we have and we're going to do something." I had friends that needed me and I was going to do whatever it took to make sure that it was successful and nothing was going to stop me. >> How exciting is this moment? >> It's very exciting. Thank you for the opportunity, administrator, Leler. Well, this is an opportunity to tell your story for all those back home on your team. How do you feel? >> No pressure. I'm just going on stage with Superman. >> You'll do great. >> Thank you for the opportunity. >> Thank you, Arnon. >> I appreciate it. >> Okay, give it up for the man behind the mission, Arnan Luis. Good evening judges. My name is Aron Luisi Praau or my friends call me H, but I'm a naval officer of 15 years, combat tours in Afghanistan and Iraq. When I came back from my first combat tour in Iraq, I was stationed right here in DC. And due to my medical training, I started volunteering at National Naval Medical Center to assist with amputations. And night after night, I was amputating the limbs of those that I had served with. And these combat veterans were facing the biggest, most fearful uncertainty of their lives, their imminent transition to civilian life. They had no income, no purpose, no mission, and no hope. Soon, my life was full of Marines because where one Marine goes, all Marines go. But but this was just a diversion. I needed to find a long-term solution because I was losing more of my friends at home to suicide than to bombs and bullets overseas. We sold our house, cashed out of retirement, sold our vehicles because my Marines needed something more than just tinkering in a garage. So in 2008, we started a school called Workshops for Warriors. But a school like that cost money. So in 2009, I founded VetPower to pay for it. And we didn't do it alone. We did it with five SBA loans. Five. And we repaid all of them in full. Workshops for Warriors and Vet Power together have trained over 2,000 veterans. Created over a 100 full-time jobs in San Diego. 17 years of profitability. No outside investors. 2026 Small Business Administration's small manufacturer of the year award for San Diego. VetPower is ready. We have a certified Department of Labor registered apprenticeship program and we are ready to scale nationally because our problem is not people. We have over 480 machine hours per month that we cannot do because we don't have the machines to take on the qualified and certified Department of War equipment and parts that they desperately need. In August 2026, we built a $21 million facility on Main Street, San Diego. That power has the building. We have the work. We have the people. But most importantly, we have the commitment and the tenacity to do this and do it right. What we lacked is the capital so that every one of my comrades in that garage could get what I couldn't give them which was nationally recognized credentials an opportunity for a lifelong career and hope. VPAR's mission is to make America the world's manufacturing superpower again. It's going to take all of us. Please join us. Thank you. Thank you. USA. >> Well, I would say that was the million-dollar pitch. >> Oh, wow. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> That was a million-dollar pitch. Thank you. I've been waiting all night. And you did a great job establishing every component of the pitch. I am personally sold. >> Oh, thank you. >> I'm sold. Great job. >> Thank you, Mr. Vice. >> I didn't get it. I didn't get it. I I don't get the math. I don't understand the math. And I'm like, "Okay, wait a minute. $800,000 of your revenue comes from job placement basically, right? 2.4 for manufacturing. >> Oh, >> you bought a $21 million building that's going to cost you a million six a year just in interest." >> Um, let me help you with that, sir. Actually, there was uh something that maybe is not obvious, which is we actually don't get paid at all for placement. Our building becomes revenue positive at 668 students per year. Right now, we're about 300. Until we equip that building, it's not revenue positive. >> What's your revenue right now? >> It's about $13 million a year for workshops for >> 13 million a year. >> Yes, sir. >> Okay. I have the wrong data. >> I run sir workshops for warriors and vet powered. Vet Power helps support workshops because banks do not fund nonprofits. >> Got it. So, I'm in Nikki's camp. So again, >> so so which one do you plan to scale? The manufacturing or the workshop for warriors? >> Both, sir. The US Navy has a fantastic model which is called the SIM model. So you train like you fight and you fight like you train to be able to train people on advanced manufacturing. You have to train them on advanced manufacturing, but you don't just throw a kid into a Ferrari the first day. You put them in a Ford, let them knock things around a little bit, right? So you put you start on some machines that have to be closely supervised because you get what you inspect. To do that, you need a bunch of machines that are entry- level machines, then intermediate level machines and advanced level machines. But it is a pyramid. The same amount of people that can train 50 entry- level machinists are the same types of people that can train five high-end five-axis machinists. >> Well, look, I think you've got a great business uh on both ends of the candle. You've got the talent and then also the the output of it. I've got feedback just on the pitch itself separate from the business. You know, I think the the personal story was a nice buildup went very long. Yeah. >> So, I think that could have been shortened a lot. >> Yes, sir. >> Really appreciate the story. That's super authentic. I want to give you props for that. It's incredibly authentic story. >> Um, you got to get to the punch faster. >> Yes, sir. >> Your job is to pitch, sell it, hook me, then wrap it with the story that got Nikki and close the deal. >> Thank you. >> Thank you.