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Hundreds of entrepreneurs from L.A. to Sterling, Virginia, converged in Bentonville this week with hopes of being handed a golden ticket.

Unlike Wonka's chocolate tour, however, this means the holder returns to their own factory and ramps up — fast.

What's happening: Walmart kicked off its 9th annual "Open Call" event this week in which U.S. small businesses pitch their products directly to buyers.

Why it matters: The company said in March it plans to spend an additional $350 billion over the next decade on items made, grown or assembled on U.S. soil.

Details: "Open Call" is Walmart's largest sourcing event, and this year more than 1,100 entrepreneurs were invited to participate — the most in its history.

What they're saying: "It's huge. It's absolutely huge," Gonen Yohananof, owner of Mary Tylor Naturals, told Axios about getting a deal.

Denise and Allister Hill had three pitch meetings for various products from their LA-based Affirmation Effect.

What to watch: Walmart plans to announce how many deals were awarded later Thursday.

Disclosure: Reporter Worth Sparkman is a Walmart shareholder.

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