Four finalists in the 2016 Comerica Hatch Detroit Contest are competing for a $50,000 grand prize to launch a business in Detroit, Highland Park or Hamtramck.
Finalists will pitch their business plans to a panel of judges at a Hatch Off event at The Madison Building in Downtown Detroit on Aug. 26.
A public vote and and the panel of judges will determine the winner.
“A significant component to this contest is the support of the public,” said Vittoria Katanski, executive director of Hatch Detroit.
“From the moment the Top 10 are announced to the continued support of our Hatch alumni, the public is our partner. We’ve had more than 21,000 public votes so far in this year’s contest, and we hope the community’s support for these businesses continues to grow.”
Voters have until noon, Aug. 26 to choose between: Bird Bee, Corbé, Meta, Coriander Kitchen Farm and Physica Massage Sauna.
Finalist descriptions:
Bird Bee: A lifestyle clothing boutique offering a mix of modern bohemian, vintage-inspired and contemporary clothing, shoes, jewelry and accessories.
Corbé: A ceramic design and manufacturing studio located in the North End of Detroit looking to open up retail space. They handcraft porcelain wares that are simple and useful, built for the modern home and table.
Coriander Kitchen Farm: Looking to expand their urban farm and catering business into a brick mortar café featuring casual, affordable, healthy food in a rustic, beautiful environment in Detroit.
Meta Physica Massage Sauna: Will open a Wellness Center offering therapeutic bodywork, full spectrum infrared saunas, a raw juice bar, an herbal apothecary and health inspired retail, meditation classes and community workshops.
In addition to the grand prize, the contest winner will receive: a $25,000 branding and design package from GTB (formally Team Detroit), a 30-second social media advertisement from MCCI, legal services from Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn, architectural renderings from Hamilton Anderson Associates and a package of accounting, IT, public relations support and counsel from Hatch Detroit and its partners.
“Each year these entrepreneurs bring forth something new to Detroit,” said Linda Forte, senior vice president of Business Affairs, Comerica Bank. “We know independent small business growth is what keeps cities unique, vibrant and relevant and we are that much closer to finding out which business will continue Detroit on this path.”
The public can cast votes at HatchDetroit.com/vote, their Facebook page or at the following locations:
10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Aug. 20 at Kuzzo’s
11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Aug. 22 at Cadillac Square in Campus Martius
11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Aug. 23 at Eastern Market, Shed 2
Hatch Detroit is a Michigan based organization that supports independent retail businesses in Detroit through funding, education, exposure and mentoring.
Full business descriptions can be found on Hatch Detroit’s website.