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.

2025 Contest Timeline (web link)

• March 3: Application Opens 
• April 4: Application Closes 
• April 14: Top 25 Notified 
• April 30: 25 to 10 Judging Event 
• May 9: Top 10 Selected 
• May 15: Top 10 Event 
• May 16-23: Top 10 Public Voting (online and community) 
• May 27: Top 4 Announced 
• June 2-11: Public Voting & Media Tour 
• June 11: 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 cumulative or concurrent terms longer than six (6) months at the time of submission are ineligible and will not be considered. (Excluding ecosystem incubation programs or spaces such as SHOP Detroit, GrandRiver Workplace, Shipping Containers, Dexter Pop-up, etc.) 
• 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. 
• Part of the submission process includes downloading a budget template, filling it out completely, and uploading the completed version as part of your submission. 
• If you are selected to the Top 25, you will be asked to complete a background check authorization form for your self 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 11:59 p.m. on April 4, 2025.
• 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.