Alabama Governor Kay Ivey is calling on local entrepreneurs and small business owners to take part in a new national contest linked to America’s 250th anniversary. The program is part of a larger celebration of U.S. independence and aims to support small business growth across the country. The competition is called the Freedom 250 Patriot Pitch Competition. It is run by the U.S. Small Business Administration in partnership with Clover. The program will award up to $1 million in total prize money to winning businesses. Governor Ivey said Alabama businesses have strong potential to compete at the national level. She highlighted the long tradition of entrepreneurship in the state and said local founders continue that legacy today. “America was built by hardworking men and women willing to take a chance on an idea,” Ivey said in a statement. She added that Alabama entrepreneurs are carrying that spirit forward. She encouraged small business owners to show their innovation on a national stage during the country’s 250th year celebrations. The competition will select five winning businesses from across the United States. Each winner will receive a cash prize based on ranking. The first-place winner will get $400,000. The second-place winner will receive $250,000. Third place will get $150,000. Fourth place will earn $125,000. Fifth place will receive $75,000. Officials said the goal is to reward innovation and support job creation. The program also aims to highlight small businesses that are driving new ideas in technology, services, and products. To qualify, businesses must meet strict rules set by the SBA. Each company must qualify as a small business under federal standards. They must have been in operation for at least three years. They must also generate at least $100,000 in annual revenue. Applicants must have already taken part in certain SBA support programs. These include 7(a) loans, 504 loans, or microloan programs. Only businesses that have used these programs can enter the contest. Companies must also be based in the United States. They must be owned fully by U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents. This rule is designed to keep the competition focused on domestic entrepreneurship. Eligible businesses must submit a pitch deck in PDF format. Applications are submitted through an official SBA competition portal created for the Freedom 250 program. The pitch deck must explain the business idea, growth plan, and market potential. Organizers said the competition is designed to be simple and accessible. They want small businesses from all states, including rural and urban areas, to apply. Governor Ivey said she hopes Alabama entrepreneurs will take advantage of the opportunity. She said the state has a strong record of innovation in manufacturing, agriculture, and technology. She also said programs like this help small businesses gain national attention. They can also open doors to investment, partnerships, and future growth. The Freedom 250 initiative is part of a wider effort to celebrate 250 years of American independence. The program will run alongside other national events planned for the anniversary year. Supporters say the competition can help strengthen local economies. It can also highlight how small businesses shape communities across the United States. The SBA said it expects strong interest from thousands of applicants nationwide. Winners will be announced after a multi-stage review process that evaluates innovation, business strength, and long-term impact.