Michigan Chronicle
Feb. 2, 2026
Jeremy Allen
TechTown Detroit is offering upcoming information sessions designed to help entrepreneurs prepare competitive applications for the 14th annual Comerica Hatch Detroit Contest by TechTown, a small business competition that awards $100,000 in startup funding to a local entrepreneur planning to open a brick-and-mortar storefront.
The sessions are aimed at aspiring and early-stage business owners interested in applying to the contest, particularly those who may have strong ideas but need additional guidance navigating the application process or developing a complete business plan. Organizers say the workshops are meant to demystify the contest while also equipping participants with practical tools they can use beyond the competition.
“Having worked with entrepreneurs and applicants since the original launch of the Hatch Detroit Contest in 2011, we know many enter the contest with great inspiration but lack some of the technical skills and knowledge to develop a complete business plan needed for the application,” said Vittoria Katanski, TechTown Detroit small business expert and Hatch alumni coordinator.
“Through the years, applicants have found these information sessions valuable for both entering the contest and learning more about building out plans that guide them in their launch and growing their own businesses.”
The sessions will provide an overview of the Comerica Hatch Detroit Contest by TechTown, walk through the application requirements step by step and highlight key details applicants must address to be considered. Participants will also hear perspectives on building a strong business plan and have opportunities to ask questions directly of TechTown staff.
The Comerica Hatch Detroit Contest by TechTown has become a cornerstone of Detroit’s small business ecosystem.
The competition awards $100,000 in startup funding along with technical assistance and support services to one entrepreneur seeking to open a storefront in Detroit, Hamtramck or Highland Park. Over several months, applicants move through a structured process that includes application review, public voting rounds and a final pitch event known as the Hatch Off, where the winning business in May. Entrepreneurs with retail concepts who are planning their first brick-and-mortar location in the eligible cities are encouraged to apply.
Beyond the competition itself, Hatch Detroit is designed to strengthen neighborhood retail corridors and give residents a voice in the types of businesses that open in their communities. Since its founding, the program has helped dozens of entrepreneurs turn ideas into operating storefronts, creating jobs and generating investment across Detroit and surrounding areas.
Applications for the 2025 Comerica Hatch Detroit Contest by TechTown are currently open and must be submitted online by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 27. TechTown encourages interested entrepreneurs to attend an information session before applying, though attendance is not required to submit an application.
For the second consecutive year, Comerica Bank and the Comerica Charitable Foundation are committing $200,000 to support the program and Detroit’s small business economy. In addition to funding, Comerica works alongside TechTown to provide in-kind technical support for contestants throughout the competition.
Since first supporting Hatch Detroit in 2012, Comerica Bank and the Comerica Charitable Foundation have collectively committed more than $1.5 million to the program.
TechTown Detroit, Wayne State University’s entrepreneurship hub, is a nonprofit business service organization that provides education, programming and resources for early- to growth-stage businesses. Since 2007, TechTown has supported thousands of companies across Detroit and Southeast Michigan, contributing to job creation and capital investment while advancing an inclusive local economy.
Hatch Detroit became part of TechTown’s suite of entrepreneurial programs in 2022. In addition to the annual contest, the program offers funding, mentorship and exposure to its alumni entrepreneurs. To date, Hatch Detroit alumni businesses have collectively employed more than 500 people and invested millions of dollars in local economic development.
Key Dates
- Feb. 11: Information sessions at the Southwest Detroit Business Association (11 a.m.) and Next Chapter Books (6 p.m.)
- Feb. 27: Applications close at 11:59 p.m.
- March 11: Top 25 contestants notified
- April 21: Top 10 contestants revealed
- April 22–April 29: Top 10 public voting
- April 29: Top 4 finalists announced
- April 29–May 13: Top 4 public voting
- May 13: Winner announced at the Hatch Off