By Jeff Devine, Dale County Chronicle
Governor Kay Ivey announced on Thursday her hope that Alabama businesses will participate in a national competition that celebrates America’s 250th birthday.
In an announcement, Ivey strongly encourages Alabama s eligible small businesses and entrepreneurs to apply for the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) national “Freedom 250” Patriot Pitch Competition, a nationwide contest celebrating America’s 250th anniversary by awarding up to $1 million in total prize money to innovative businesses across the country.
In her announcement, Ivey said Alabama entrepreneurs embody the same spirit of innovation and determination that helped build the nation.
“America was built by hardworking men and women willing to take a chance on an idea, and Alabama entrepreneurs are carrying that same spirit forward today,” Ivey said. “As our nation prepares to celebrate 250 years of freedom, I encourage our state’s small business owners to show the rest of the country what innovation looks like when it’s ‘Made in Alabama.’ I have no doubt our talent here at home can compete with and beat the very best in America.”
The United States SBA said the nationwide competition will bring together entrepreneurs from across the country who are building and scaling businesses within their communities. Selected businesses will be invited to participate in a live pitch competition in Washington, D.C., competing for a share of the $1 million prize pool.
According to the SBA, the competition is intended to celebrate “the innovation and ambition that has driven American ingenuity for the past 250 years.”
The national competition is being held in partnership with Clover and will award cash prizes to five winning businesses nationwide.
The first-place winner will receive $400,000, followed by $250,000 for second place, $150,000 for third place, $125,000 for fourth place, and $75,000 for fifth place.
To qualify for the competition, businesses must meet the SBA definition of a small business, have operated for at least three years, generate at least $100,000 in annual gross revenue, and have benefited from certain SBA capital programs, including 7(a), 504, or microloans. Businesses also must be headquartered and operated in the United States and be fully owned by U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents.
Eligible Alabama entrepreneurs may submit a pitch deck in PDF format through the SBA’s Freedom 250 competition portal.
Applicants are encouraged to carefully review all eligibility requirements, terms and conditions, and submission instructions before applying.
Applications must be submitted by June 10, 2026, at 10:59 p.m. Central.
“This competition celebrates the same entrepreneurial spirit that has powered America for nearly 250 years,” Ivey added. “I look forward to seeing Alabama businesses step up and make our state proud.”
Businesses interested in applying can find eligibility requirements, terms and conditions, and submission instructions through the SBA Freedom 250 competition webpage by clicking here.
For additional information about the competition, applicants may contact Megyn Rodriguez at [email protected].
