Applications now open for the 13th annual entrepreneurial contest to find the next winning brick-and-mortar small business
DETROIT, March 3, 2025 -- TechTown Detroit and Comerica Bank announce the return of the Comerica Hatch Detroit Contest by TechTown, a small business competition that awards $100,000 in startup funding as well as support services to one entrepreneur seeking to open a brick-and-mortar storefront in Detroit, Hamtramck or Highland Park. The competition, first launched in 2011, bolsters small business development in Detroit and will take place over the next four months, with the winning business crowned in June.
Applications, available on HatchDetroit.com, open Monday, March 3, at noon and will close on Friday, April 4. Entrepreneurs with a retail concept looking to establish their first brick-and-mortar location in Detroit, Hamtramck or Highland Park are eligible to apply.
"Detroit's small business community is built on the strength of its entrepreneurs, and TechTown is proud to support these business innovators through the Comerica Hatch Detroit Contest," said Christianne Malone, Assistant Vice President for Economic Development at Wayne State University and Chief Program Officer of TechTown Detroit. "We strive to inspire and cultivate Detroit's small business development through top-notch entrepreneurial resources, financial support, and valuable partnerships."
Information sessions for interested applicants will be held the week of March 17.
The small business contest includes two rounds of public voting to determine the Top 10 and Top 4 entrepreneurs, allowing the community to vote for their favorite business.
The competition culminates June 11 with the annual Hatch Off, where the Top 4 entrepreneurs present their business plans to a panel of judges and a live audience. There, the winner will receive the $100,000 grand prize that also includes a business support package from TechTown Detroit, Wayne State University's entrepreneurship hub.
Comerica Bank and Comerica Charitable Foundation Increase Support
As a proven launching pad for aspiring business owners, Comerica Bank and the Comerica Charitable Foundations are increasing their commitment to TechTown's Hatch Detroit program to amplify the impact on Detroit's small business economy.
Recognizing the cost of starting and sustaining a business has increased, and to further their commitment to ensuring the success of the Hatch Detroit program, Comerica Bank and the Comerica Charitable Foundation have increased their financial support to a combined total of $200,000 this year, a $50,000 increase from the previous three years.
"Comerica Bank was founded in Detroit more than 175 years ago, and we remain dedicated to supporting the city's entrepreneurship and the development of small businesses that make up the lifeblood of this community," said Meghan Storey, Comerica Bank Senior Vice President and Michigan Director of Small Business Banking.
In addition to its financial commitment, Comerica works alongside TechTown to provide in-kind support, such as technical services for contestants, during the contest.
Since 2019, Comerica Bank has provided the $100,000 grand prize for the Comerica Hatch Detroit Contest by TechTown winner and will do so again this year. This year, Comerica Bank will also be contributing an additional $50,000, in tandem with a $50,000 grant from the Comerica Charitable Foundation, to TechTown for organizational support of the Hatch Detroit program to assist with its ongoing incubation of small businesses.
"Working closely with small businesses, we see extraordinary entrepreneurs rich in ideas and passion who have dedicated their lives to launching and growing a business but remain in need of resources and mentorship. Year after year, TechTown and Hatch Detroit has provided a platform of extensive technical services and guidance needed to help entrepreneurs succeed, creating a strong foundation for Detroit's small business ecosystem," said Storey.
Including this year's contributions and grants, Comerica Bank and the Comerica Charitable Foundation have collectively committed over $1.3 million into Hatch Detroit since first supporting the small business program in 2012.
TechTown's Commitment to Small Businesses and Hatch Detroit
Last year, TechTown celebrated 20 years serving Detroit as a vital incubator for small businesses and entrepreneurs, dedicated to revitalizing the city through sustainable growth by supporting tech startups and small businesses.
In 2022, Hatch Detroit was integrated into TechTown's suite of entrepreneurial programs and services.
Adding Hatch Detroit to its small business platform strengthened one of the city's most popular and successful entrepreneurial programs designed to transform neighborhoods through new brick-and-mortar retail shops.
Since then, Hatch Detroit alumni have opened their brick-and-mortar locations in five different neighborhoods, including: Craig's Coffee (Midtown), JP Makes and Bakes (New Center), K Walker Initiative (Midtown), Lily's & Elise (Livernois Avenue of Fashion), Next Chapter Books (East Indian Village), Shell Shock'd Tacos (Midtown), and Sepia Coffee Project (Highland Park).
The Comerica Hatch Detroit Contest by TechTown has helped create some of Detroit's most successful and well-known businesses, including winners G.L.A.M. Body Scrubs (2024), Bouncing Around The Motor City (2023), Little Liberia (2022), 27th Letter Books (2019), Baobab Fare (2017), Meta Physica Massage (2016), Sister Pie (2014), Batch Brewery Company (2013) and La Feria (2012).
Under TechTown's services and support, Bouncing Around the Motor City, Little Liberia and G.L.A.M. Body Scrubs are scheduled to open in 2025, along with Hatch Detroit alum Ice Cream Detroit.
In 2024, Tiffany Cartwright, founder and owner of G.L.A.M. Body Scrubs, won the Comerica Hatch Detroit Contest by TechTown . G.L.A.M. is a certified woman- and minority-owned business based in Detroit that specializes in natural, organic body scrubs. It provides jobs, training and mentorship to underserved individuals, especially women who have been victims of domestic violence and human trafficking, as well as returning citizens.
Together, Hatch Detroit alumni have opened more than 50 businesses, employ more than 500 people and have invested more than $7 million in their businesses.
KEY COMERICA HATCH DETROIT CONTEST DATES:
March 3: Applications open at noon
Week of March 17: Information sessions take place
April 4: Applications close
April 14: Top 25 contestants notified
May 15: Top 10 contestants revealed
May 16-23: Top 10 public voting takes place
May 27: Top 4 announced
June 2-11: Top 4 public voting takes place
June 11: Winner announced at Hatch Off
Comerica Bank, a subsidiary of Comerica Incorporated, has served Michigan longer than any other bank with a continuous presence dating back more than 175 years to its Detroit founding in 1849. It is the largest bank employer in metro Detroit and has more than 4,300 employees (FTE) statewide. With one of the largest banking center networks in Michigan, Comerica nurtures lifelong relationships with unwavering integrity and financial prudence. Comerica positively impacts the lives of Michigan residents by helping customers be successful, providing financial support that assists hundreds of charitable organizations, and actively participating in Detroit's downtown revitalization. Comerica Incorporated (NYSE: CMA) is a financial services company strategically aligned by three business segments: The Commercial Bank, The Retail Bank, and Wealth Management. Follow on Facebook: www.facebook.com/Comerica, X: @ComericaBank and Instagram: @comerica_bank.
TechTown Detroit, Wayne State University's entrepreneurship hub, is a nonprofit business service organization that provides programs, education and resources for early- to growth-stage small businesses and tech entrepreneurs. By building bridges for entrepreneurs to succeed, TechTown is accelerating an inclusive economy for Detroit and Southeast Michigan. Since 2007, TechTown has supported more than 6,090 companies, which created 2,277 jobs and raised more than $406 million in startup and growth capital. For more information, visit techtowndetroit.org.
Hatch Detroit supports both existing and new retail initiatives in the cities of Detroit, Hamtramck and Highland Park. Hatch Detroit was founded in 2011 to give residents and aspiring entrepreneurs an opportunity to have a voice in neighborhood retail development and joined TechTown Detroit's suite of entrepreneurial programs and services in 2022. Beyond the contest, Hatch Detroit provides funding, exposure and mentoring in support of its alumni entrepreneurs. With support from Hatch Detroit, 50 alumni have opened businesses. They employ over 500 people and have invested over $10 million in economic development. To learn more, visit hatchdetroit.com.
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