DETROIT – If you own a small pop-up business here in the city or you’re coming up with one, you have an opportunity to supercharge it with the return of the Hatch Detroit contest.
“It takes a village to create a small business here in Detroit,” Christianne Malone, the chief program officer for TechTown Detroit, said on Sunday. “Seeing what businesses are able to do and seeing those ideas…I’m an idea person. So, I get excited by what our businesses are doing and finding new ways to help them.”
This is the 15th year for Hatch Detroit, which has become a joint effort between TechTown Detroit, Wayne State University, and Comerica Bank.
It awards $100,000 in start-up funding – as well as support services – to an entrepreneur who’s looking to open a brick & mortar business in Detroit, Hamtramck, or Highland Park.
“The great part of the Hatch Detroit Contest is that anyone with an idea can actually apply to it,” Malone said. “You can also have an existing business if it’s in a pop-up phase and has not established itself in a permanent brick and mortar location.
“We truly want to see those great ideas, whether they’re just in your head or if you’ve been testing it out a little bit with the Farmer’s markets or down at Eastern Market,” she said.
Businesses can apply for the contest, and it is then put to a vote by the people.
The top 10 finalists will all get free business consultation services as the contestants get whittled down to the top four.
“They then vote on that top 10 to create the top 4,” Malone said. “And then they also help vote with the top four to help determine, along with a panel of judges, who actually goes and takes away the $100,000 prize.”
Last year’s winner was Livy’s Sweet Rolls in Midtown. Other past winners include:
- Little Liberia
- 27th Letter Books
- Baobab Fare
- Sister Pie
- La Feria
- Meta Physica Massage
Malone says that even the companies that don’t win benefit from this, and it has helped spark a network of local businesses that is helping to bring back the city of Detroit.
“To see the network and also to see the impact these businesses are having in the city, no matter if they won $100,000 or they have amazing support from the voters that they have engaged with along the way and just building up a new customer base,” she said. “This contest is truly transformative and we’re very excited to see what’s gonna come in 2026.”
The next hatch information session is Feb. 11, and the applications are due on Feb. 27.
The winner will be announced on during their “Hatch Out” event on May 13.
If you want to apply, go to hatchdetroit.com