DETROIT (April 22, 2024) – The votes are in! After a tight race, the Comerica Hatch Detroit Contest by TechTown is ready to announce the four businesses advancing to the final stage of the competition.
These four businesses will have the opportunity to compete at the Hatch Off on May 9, pitching their businesses for the chance to win $100,000 in startup funds from Comerica Bank, as well as technical assistance from TechTown Detroit and its partners, to kickstart and open a brick-and-mortar business in Detroit, Hamtramck or Highland Park.
“The Comerica Hatch Detroit Contest by TechTown has successfully incubated some of the city’s most well-loved small businesses thanks to Detroit’s astounding support of its entrepreneurs,” said Christianne Malone, assistant vice president for economic development at Wayne State University and chief program officer of TechTown Detroit. “These top four businesses have been hand-selected by the public, for the public. Every vote cast in this competition is a testament to the community’s support of local innovators that fuel this city’s revitalization.”
The four businesses vying to take home the crown and $100,000 in the 2024 Comerica Hatch Detroit Contest are:
These finalists now enter the final round of public voting which begins on Wednesday, May 1, at noon and will run through the completion of the Hatch Off on Thursday, May 9. The winner of the 2024 Comerica Hatch Detroit Contest will be chosen through a combination of the public’s votes and judges’ deliberations. The community can cast their votes for their favorite business once every 24 hours at hatchdetroit.com/vote.
Over the years, the Comerica Hatch Detroit Contest has helped launch some of Detroit’s most successful and well-known businesses, including 27th Letter Books (2019), Baobab Fare (2017), Meta Physica Massage (2016), Sister Pie (2014), and La Feria (2012).
With this year’s investment, Comerica Bank and the Comerica Charitable Foundation will have committed more than $1.1 million to Hatch Detroit in direct funding since Comerica’s partnership began, along with additional in-kind support that includes technical services. The program is one of Detroit’s most successful small business incubators since it first began in 2011 with Comerica partnering with Hatch beginning in 2012.
“On behalf of Comerica Bank, we extend our congratulations to the top four entrepreneurs for reaching this milestone. Just by placing as a finalist in the 2024 Comerica Hatch Detroit Contest by TechTown, these businesses already have the community’s support behind them and have accomplished an incredible entrepreneurial feat,” said Meghan Storey, senior vice president, Michigan director of small business at Comerica Bank. “Each finalist has demonstrated innovation, creativity, and resilience – skills that will take them far and leave a mark on the city of Detroit’s small business landscape.”
Tickets are now available to witness the top four business pitches and see the winner of the Hatch Off competition crowned. The Hatch Off takes place on Thursday, May 9, at 6 p.m., at the Wayne State University Industry Innovation Center at 461 Burroughs St. in Detroit.
To purchase tickets to the Hatch Off, visit HatchDetroit.com.
This year, Comerica Bank is celebrating 175 years of serving its communities, making it Michigan’s longest-serving bank. Comerica was founded in 1849 in Detroit during a time when all banks in the city were exclusive to the business community. This was the motivation behind Comerica’s decision to gear its banking for the people and for those who wanted to secure their personal and financial future. Since its inception, Comerica has grown in Michigan and throughout the country by focusing on the customer first and offering personal, small business and commercial banking services, as well as wealth management services.
Comerica Bank, a subsidiary of Comerica Incorporated, has served Michigan longer than any other bank with a continuous presence dating back 175 years to its Detroit founding in 1849. It is the largest bank employer in metro Detroit and has approximately 4,500 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 (formerly known as Twitter): @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 its inception, TechTown has supported more than 6,000 companies, which created 2,340 jobs and raised more than $408 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.
