SBA Portland District Office Encourages Local Entrepreneurs to Compete for $1 Million in "Patriot Pitch" Competition

SBA Portland District Office Encourages Local Entrepreneurs to Compete for $1 Million in "Patriot Pitch" Competition

National “Freedom 250” Event Celebrates 250 Years of American Free Enterprise; Local Small Businesses Invited to Apply by June 10

PORTLAND, OR – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Portland District Office is calling on Oregon and Southwest Washington’s most innovative entrepreneurs to apply for the newly launched Patriot Pitch Competition. This national contest, part of the "Freedom 250" initiative celebrating 250 years of American free enterprise, features a $1 million cash prize pool funded by Clover Network, Inc. (Clover).

The competition is designed to spotlight small businesses that have utilized SBA capital products to drive innovation, create quality jobs, and strengthen American competitiveness. One grand prize winner will take home $400,000, with additional prizes ranging from $75,000 to $250,000.

The Pacific Northwest is a hub for the kind of grit and ingenuity this competition was built to celebrate. From our tech startups in the Silicon Forest to our resilient manufacturers and local service providers, we know our district’s small businesses have what it takes to compete on the national stage. We encourage every eligible local entrepreneur to step up and tell their story.

Competition Details & Eligibility

To be eligible, small businesses must:

• Have been in operation for at least three years.
• Generate at least $100,000 in annual gross revenue.
• Have utilized SBA capital products (e.g., 7(a) loans, 504 loans, Microloans, or SBIR/STTR funding).
• Demonstrate a commitment to innovation and strengthening the U.S. economy.

Prizes and Timeline

The prize pool will be distributed among five national winners:

• 1st Place: $400,000
• 2nd Place: $250,000
• 3rd Place: $150,000
• 4th Place: $125,000
• 5th Place: $75,000

The application window is open now and closes June 10, 2026, at 11:59 PM EST. Following a series of regional and semifinal judging rounds, five finalists will travel to Washington, D.C., this September to pitch live before a panel of industry experts and a national audience.

How to Apply

Local business owners can find full eligibility requirements and submission instructions at www.sba.gov/freedom250. For local assistance or questions regarding SBA resources, contact the Portland District Office at (503) 326-2682 or call to schedule an appointment at 419 SW 11th Avenue, Suite 310, Portland, OR 97205.

About the U.S. Small Business Administration

The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of entrepreneurship. As the leading voice for small businesses within the federal government, the SBA empowers job creators with the resources and support they need to start, grow, and expand their businesses or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.

Matthew Schmidt
Deputy District Director

Portland District
U.S. Small Business Administration
Talk/text (206) 799-6064

Matthew.Schmidt@sba.gov