Ten local entrepreneurs, listed below, were announced Wednesday evening as semi-finalists in the fourth annual Hatch Detroit contest. The winner gets a $50,000 startup grant from Comerica Bank, the main sponsor.
Contenders include eight food and beverage sellers, a music instrument shop and a group of men's tailors.
Daily public voting online is under way, with votes for up to four businesses allowed every 24 hours for a week. Four finalists will be announced at noon Aug. 15.
In addition to money, the top finisher after a second round of votes also gets legal services, advertising, accounting and IT support.
“In total, the package is closer to $100,000,” executive director Vittoria Katanski tells Crain's. “A lot of people, when they get involved in business, think about the bottom line and don’t realize the other [expenses] they may have.”
Last year's winner, Batch Brewing Co., hasn't opened yet.
In an untimely setback, the nonprofit announced an internal financial inquiry July 18. Co-founder Ted Balowski resigned from Hatch Detroit in mid-July, according to a statement that said his role in its finances is being investigated. No details were given.
Below are the new semifinalists, picked from about 240 applicants by "a panel of judges, community leaders and residents of Detroit," according to Hatch. Links to details about each are here.
- Algeria Pops will make paletas (Mexican ice pops) incorporating fresh, whole fruits and other ingredients such as chili and tamarind.
- Bumbo’s aims to be "a true working class neighborhood bar" with a fenced-in back patio.
- Cockadoodle is a full-service breakfast and lunch restaurant planned for the Avenue of Fashion.
- Gabriel Hall plans to be a live entertainment bar and restaurant with a New Orleans theme and a Cajun menu.
- McClary Bros. Outpost aims to be a pop tasting room, store and bottling facility in Corktown serving fountain sodas made from drinking vinegars otherwise known as “Shrub Sodas.”
- Rocco’s Italian Deli hopes by offering high quality meats, cheeses, vegetables and herbs to add to Midtown’s food options and bolster its ethnic diversity.
- Sister Pie will use seasonal, local ingredients in pies, cookies, breads and breakfast pastries.
- Third Wave Music plans to sell new and used music instruments, provide lessons and operate a repair facility.
- Uncle Bug’s Organic Creamery intends to be an artisinal ice cream manufacturing company with a retail shop and wholesale distributor.
- 1701 Bespoke is a group of clothiers that plan to providing designer custom suits, shirts and coats for men.
-- Alan Stamm
