Overview
The Comerica Hatch Detroit Contest by TechTown is a retail competition that gives one savvy entrepreneur the chance to win a cash grant and package of in-kind services to open their brick-and-mortar storefront in Detroit, Hamtramck, or Highland Park. The storefront is key! We’re looking to support businesses that will revitalize commercial retail corridors, activate vacant spaces, and spur further investment into the community.
We built this contest on the idea of crowd entrepreneurship—giving community members a role in the city’s redevelopment.
2024 Contest Timeline (web link)
- January 3: Application Opens
- February 16: Application Closes
- March 8: Top 25 Notified
- March 19: 25 to 10 Judging Event
- April 4: Top 10 Selected
- April 11: Top 10 Event
- April 12-18: Top 10 Public Voting (online and community)
- April 19: Top 4 Announced
- May 1- 8: Public Voting & Media Tour
- May 9: Hatch-Off with Live Voting
Guidelines
- Please read the Comerica Hatch Detroit Contest Rules (on this site below and the official website.)
- Only those looking to open new permanent brick-and-mortar retail locations will be considered.
- Businesses with active commercial leases with terms longer than six (6) months at the time of submission are ineligible and will not be considered.
- Residency in Detroit, Hamtramck or Highland Park is not required, but is preferred.
- If you applied and made the Top 10 semifinalist list in previous years, you may not submit again with the same business.
- You can save and return to this application if you need more time to complete it. For a preview of all form questions, download this PDF preview file.
- Part of the submission process includes downloading a budget template, filling it out completely, and uploading the completed version as part of your submission. Please see the Downloads section below to download a copy of this template.
- If you are selected to the Top 25, you will be asked to complete a background check authorization form for your self and and each member of your team. This will only be used if you are in consideration to move to the Top 10.
- Please note that your submission MUST be completed and submitted to be valid and considered.
- Please note that your submission MUST be submitted in full by Noon on Feb 16, 2024.
- If you are asked to proceed to the semifinalist round, you will be required to sign a participant agreement before being able to move forward.
- Though not required, the most successful submissions include visuals and a strong understanding of media use.
- We expect that our alumni (Top 10) be engaged, active members in the communities in which they choose to do business.