DETROIT, MAY1, 2018 – Calling all entrepreneurs, dreamers and innovators! The 2018 Comerica Hatch Detroit Contest presented by Bedrock is returning for an eighth year with a $50,000 prize, courtesy of Comerica Bank. Entrepreneurs with a retail concept looking to open a brick and mortar location in Detroit, Highland Park or Hamtramck can now submit their business plans.
“The Comerica Hatch Detroit Contest is a catalyst for small business in Detroit,” says Vittoria Katanski, executive director, Hatch Detroit. “Independent retail helps define the character and personality of city neighborhoods. Together with partners such as Comerica and Bedrock, we continue to support independent retail while introducing 10 of the year’s best business concepts.”
The four-month contest includes two rounds of public voting – Top 10 and Top four - allowing the community to vote for their favorite businesses to win the $50,000 grand prize from Comerica Bank as well as a package of accounting, legal, IT and public relations support from Hatch Detroit and its partners.
Entrepreneurs can submit their business plans online at HatchDetroit.com/apply through July 13. For more information, visit HatchDetroit.com.
“Supporting and helping bring small business into the city of Detroit is very important to Comerica Bank,” said Monica L. Martinez, senior vice president of external affairs, Comerica Bank. “Through our partnership with Hatch Detroit, we’ve provided more than $250,000 in prize money and donated marketing and public relations support. We’re looking forward to all the great submissions and awarding this year’s winner with a way to kick start their business.”
In addition to helping the contest winners open, Hatch Detroit is committed to helping its contest alumni succeed as well. Since 2011, 33 Hatch Detroit alumni have opened a storefront, and an additional 12 will be opened by March 2019. This includes the recent opening of 2016 contest winner Meta Physica Massage.
The Comerica Hatch Detroit Contest has received more than 1,700 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 520,000 votes since 2011 and helped crown Hugh, La Feria, Batch Brewing Company, Sister Pie, Live Cycle Delight, Meta Physica Massage and Baobab Fare as the contest winners.
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. Since its founding in Detroit in 1849, 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. From its multi-million-dollar restoration of Comerica Bank Center to its naming rights agreement for Comerica Park to its sponsorship of Little Caesar’s Arena and the Comerica Players Club to its naming rights partnership for the Comerica Gridiron Club and Suites at The New Ford Field, Comerica continues to be an active participant in Detroit’s downtown revitalization. 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.
About Bedrock
Detroit-based Bedrock acquires, develops, leases, finances, and manages commercial and residential buildings primarily in Detroit and Cleveland. Since its founding in 2011, Bedrock and its affiliates have invested more than $5.6 billion in acquiring and developing more than 100 properties in Detroit and Cleveland totaling more than 16 million square feet. Bedrock’s real estate portfolio consists of more than 330 office and retail tenants in Detroit’s technology-centric downtown. For more information visit bedrockdetroit.com.
