DETROIT — Comerica Bank and Hatch Detroit have announced the return of the Comerica Hatch Detroit Contest and $100,000 donation from Comerica Bank to this year’s winner. 

The contest, which is returning for the first time since 2019, aims to promote small business economic development in Detroit.

Entrepreneurs with a retail concept looking to open a physical location in Detroit, Highland Park or Hamtramck can now submit their business plans on the Hatch Detroit website through May 12.

The four-month contest includes two rounds of public voting – Top 10 and Top 4 — allowing the community to vote for their favorite businesses to win the $100,000 grand prize from Comerica Bank as well as a package of accounting, legal, IT and public relations support from Hatch Detroit and its partners.

The Comerica Hatch Detroit Contest concludes Thursday, July 21 with the annual “Hatch Off.”

Comerica is also expanding on its investment of the contest with economic development programming though technical assistance and financial education. Support will occur during the Comerica Hatch Detroit contest and with both Hatch Detroit and TechTown alumni following the contest.

Since Comerica and Hatch Detroit’s partnership began in 2012, Comerica Bank and the Comerica Charitable Foundation have contributed $660,000 in startup funding to support the winners of the annual neighborhood retail competition, as well as direct organizational support funding to Hatch Detroit.

Find out more at: hatchdetroit.com/contest

Key Comerica Hatch Detroit dates:

March 15: Submissions begin

May 12: Submission period ends

June 16: Top 10 announced

June 17: Voting begins

June 23: Top 10 voting ends

June 24: Top 4 announced and voting begins

June 30: Top 4 voting ends

July 21: Winner announced at Hatch Off

Hatch Detroit, founded in 2011, supports both existing and new retail initiatives in the cities of Detroit, Highland Park and Hamtramck.

“Our focus from the very beginning of the Comerica Hatch Detroit Contest was not only to launch one business, but to create an entire ecosystem of support that stimulates opportunities for entrepreneurs and generate a network of businesses who are prepared to navigate the challenges of launching a new venture in Detroit,” said Vittoria Katanski, executive director of Hatch Detroit. “The past two years have added to those challenges and we worked closely with our alumni keep their doors open. With the tremendous support of our partners, now is the time to present this contest once again to entrepreneurs and support new business growth in our city and neighborhoods.”

At the start of the pandemic in 2020, Comerica Bank recognized the detrimental impact of COVID-19 on small businesses and as a response invested $100,000 to Hatch Detroit to support the organization’s alumni businesses that had been financially impacted. The Hatch Detroit Small Business Alumni Relief Fund provided utility assistance for approximately 40 Comerica Hatch Detroit Contest alumni businesses. In addition to the $100,000 investment, the Comerica Charitable Foundation also provided Hatch Detroit $50,000 in organizational support.

“Hatch Detroit has become a vital resource for entrepreneurs and small business incubation over the past decade,” said Mike Richie, Comerica Bank Michigan market president. “The impact Hatch Detroit has made on growing and developing opportunities throughout Detroit is leaving an indelible mark on the economic revitalization of the city.”