DETROIT (April 11, 2017) – The 2017 Comerica Hatch Detroit Contest is returning for the seventh year with a $50,000 prize up for grabs, courtesy of Comerica Bank. Entrepreneurs with a retail concept looking to open a brick and mortar location in Detroit, Highland Park or Hamtramck can submit their business plans beginning May 1.

“The Comerica Hatch Detroit Contest engages residents and Detroit business patrons to help determine the type of retail they want in their communities,” said Vittoria Katanski, executive director, Hatch Detroit. “If you’re an entrepreneur looking to bring your idea to life, you should consider submitting your business plan to the Comerica Hatch Detroit Contest. The contest provides participants a unique opportunity to vet their idea to a wide audience before opening. Hatch alumni have voiced how important this was to building their confidence and determination to open.”

The winning business pitch will take home $50,000 from Comerica Bank and a package of accounting, legal, IT, public relations, and counsel from Hatch Detroit and its partners.

In an effort to further engage Detroit communities, Hatch Detroit is introducing a second phase of the contest for aspiring Detroit artists ages 16-18 to submit art concepts after the 2017 Comerica Hatch Detroit Contest winner is announced.  The top four artists selected will work with the Hatch Detroit team and its 2017 Comerica Hatch Detroit Contest finalists to develop a final product that will be used in their business. “We anticipate this will further engage Detroit communities and its youth to have a voice in the direction of the city’s retail,” said Katanski.

The second phase of the contest will open this September.

Since the contest launched in 2011, 25 entrepreneurs have opened a storefront, four are opening soon and 20 are operating as pop-up locations. In addition to helping the contest winners open, Hatch Detroit is committed to helping its contest alumni succeed as well. Hatch alumni that are planning new locations include:

• Detroit Vegan Soul, a 2012 Hatch alumni, is opening a secondary location in the Grandmont Rosedale.
• 2012 Hatch alumni, Detroit River Sports will be opening a location on Detroit’s east side with 2016 Hatch alumni Coriander Kitchen and Farm opening a restaurant inside the establishment.
• The Natural Market, a 2016 Hatch alumni is opening a brick and mortar location in Grandmont Rosedale specializing in handmade bath, body and home products and customized fragrances.
• Busted Bra Shop, a 2013 Hatch alumni and Detroit’s only customized bra boutique, is opening a second location at 8016 Kercheval in West Village this summer.
• Norma G’s, a 2015 Hatch finalist currently operating as a food truck, is opening a restaurant in the Jefferson Chalmers neighborhood serving true authentic Caribbean cuisine.
• Rocco’s Italian Deli, a 2014 Hatch alumni, is opening a brick and mortar deli sandwich shop location on Cass Avenue this spring.
• The 2016 Comerica Hatch Detroit Contest winner Meta Physica Massage will open a wellness center offering therapeutic bodywork, infrared saunas, a raw juice bar and an herbal apothecary in Corktown late summer 2017.

“Comerica Bank is proud to continue our partnership with Hatch Detroit to help launch small businesses across the city,” said Monica L. Martinez, senior vice president of external affairs, Comerica Bank. “Comerica has provided $250,000 in prize money and donated marketing and public relations support for Hatch alumni for the past six years. We are looking forward to awarding Detroit’s next best business with the $50,000 grand prize in August.”

The Comerica Hatch Detroit Contest has received more than 1,550 business submissions since its inception in 2011. The contest encourages crowd entrepreneurship to ensure residents have a voice in helping to decide the type of retail they want in their community. The public has cast more than 320,000 votes since 2011 and helped crown Hugh, La Feria, Batch Brewing Company, Sister Pie, Live Cycle Delight and Meta Physica Massage as the contest winners.

Entrepreneurs can submit their business plans online at HatchDetroit.com/apply from May 1 through July 14. For more information, visit HatchDetroit.com.

About Hatch Detroit:

Hatch Detroit is a Michigan based 501(c)(3) organization that champions and supports independent retail businesses in Detroit through funding, education, exposure, and mentoring. Hatch Detroit was founded by Nick Gorga, a Detroit native who is passionate about the revitalization of the city and inspiring others in the community to create change.

About Comerica Bank:

Comerica Bank is a subsidiary of Comerica Incorporated. Founded in Detroit in 1849, Comerica continues to invest in Michigan, including the multi-million dollar restoration of Comerica Bank Center, its Michigan Market headquarters in downtown Detroit. For generations, Comerica Bank has been making a positive difference in the lives of Michigan residents, helping its customers be successful and providing financial assistance to help charitable organizations meet their diverse goals. Comerica Incorporated (NYSE: CMA) is a financial services company strategically aligned by three business segments: The Business Bank, The Retail Bank, and Wealth Management. Comerica focuses on relationships, and helping people and businesses be successful. To find us on Facebook, please visit www.facebook.com/Comerica. Follow us on Twitter at @ComericaCares.