If you’re looking for some cash and/or support to get your brick and mortar business in Detroit, Highland Park or Hamtramck off the ground, Hatch Detroit might be your ticket.
As last year, 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. The contest includes both popular vote and juried portions.
But there’s a new twist this year. 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. The second phase of the contest will open this September.
25 entrepreneurs have opened a storefront, four are opening soon and 20 are operating as pop-up locations through the program. A few of the many examples, according to Hatch:
- Detroit Vegan Soul is opening a secondary location in the Grandmont Rosedale (Daily Detroit story here)
- Detroit River Sports will be opening a location on Detroit’s east side with another Hatch alumni, Coriander Kitchen and Farm, opening a restaurant inside the establishment.
- Norma G’s, a 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 is opening a brick and mortar deli sandwich shop location on Cass Avenue this spring.
Winners of the grand prize include Hugh, La Feria, Batch Brewing Company, Sister Pie (with many national plaudits), Live Cycle Delight (story here) and Meta Physica Massage.
Entrepreneurs can submit their business plans online at HatchDetroit.com/apply from May 1 through July 14. For more information, visit HatchDetroit.com.
