The judges have chosen the six finalists, and the race is on for these finalists to prove themselves worthy as America votes for the one they deem to be the next great American Inventor.

Using the criteria of innovation, mass appeal, marketability and passionate pitch, the judges have selected one winner from each city to receive $50,000, a ticket to Los Angeles, and one month to perfect their invention with the dream of seeing their product on shelves across the country and winning the one million dollar grand prize. Host Nick Smith sends the inventors to participate in focus group testing. Then the inventors meet with their chosen team of experts to design, create and package their invention, working within the $50,000 budget. Each inventor must struggle to make the right decisions and race against the clock to complete their prototype and plan their presentations to the judges, who will choose three of the best inventions while sending the other three home. America will then be called upon to vote to determine who will win the million-dollar prize and the title of American Inventor.