Big Things Are Hatching in Tech Town Detroit

Hi Friends,

Spring is in full swing, and so is events season. We are so excited to be out in the community, connecting with the people and businesses that make Detroit great, and this week brings one of our most anticipated moments of the year.

On April 21, we will be revealing the Top 10 semifinalists of the 2026 Comerica Hatch Detroit Contest. Since 2011, Hatch Detroit has given up-and-coming entrepreneurs the chance to compete for a $100,000 grant to open a brick-and-mortar storefront in Detroit, Hamtramck, or Highland Park. What makes it truly special is that the community decides the winner. The people of Detroit vote for the business they want to see open in their city, making this a contest that belongs to Detroit as much as it does to the contestants.

The Top 10 Reveal on April 21 is your chance to be the first to meet this year's semifinalists, hear their stories, and get a feel for the businesses that could soon be calling Detroit home. Tickets are $20 and include complimentary drinks and small bites from Hatch alumni businesses. We hope to see you there!

Take a look at what we have coming up:

• Join us on Wednesday, April 15 for the Start Studio Lecture Series at TechTown. This month, facilitator Monica Wheat breaks down how to use OKRs to prioritize what matters and keep your startup moving forward.

• Clear your evening on Wednesday, April 16 for AI and Automation Build Night: Prompt to Prototype at the Industry Innovation Center. Learn to turn an idea into a working app using AI-powered tools — no coding experience needed.

• Head to La Terraza Restaurant on Monday, April 20 for the Alumni Cluster: Food and Beverage Roundtable. Join us for an honest peer-to-peer conversation with fellow food and beverage entrepreneurs. Open to TechTown alumni ONLY

• We're teaming up with Detroit Means Business for an in-person Child Care Connect on Monday, April 20 at TechTown. Come ready to walk away with real, practical tools to strengthen your childcare business.

• Tuesday, April 21 is the big night. The Comerica Hatch Detroit Contest Top 10 Reveal is here: meet this year's semifinalists at a fireside chat, then stick around for the Meet, Mix & Mingle Open House.

What We're Listening To: The Weather Channel's Retro Playlist

You know that feeling when a song comes on and suddenly you're ten years old again? That's this playlist. The Weather Channel's Retro mix is pure nostalgia fuel. Perfect for a slow morning, a long drive, or just zoning out for a few minutes.

Hit play.

We are so glad to have you with us!

Welcome, New Members! We're thrilled to welcome 7 new coworking members to the TechTown community! Whether you're a solopreneur, remote worker, or growing startup, you're now part of a vibrant ecosystem of innovators and entrepreneurs. We can't wait to see what you'll build here—welcome home!

Animation Discovery Studio Aurexo Therapeutics Inc Education At Scale / Adventures Publishing House Handy Relocations Heauxlistic Juice Bar / Detroit Nourish Initiative Poesy Inc The Detroit Boys Mentoring Club

Earth Month Happy Hour TechTown tenants, members, and staff, join us in the Fueling Station on Thursday, April 16th from 12:00–1:30 PM for our monthly happy hour with an Earth Month twist. We’re serving up fresh snacks, grab-and-go options, and our usual beer and non-alcoholic beverages. Also, there’s a special surprise in store...but you’ll have to stop by to discover it!

PROGRAMS See what programs are coming up to help you connect, grow and scale your business.

Start Studio Lecture Series: Using OKRs to Turn Ideas into Progress Stop by TechTown on Wednesday, April 15 at 5:30 p.m. for a practical, hands-on workshop with Monica Wheat. You'll work through the OKR framework and leave with a goal-setting structure that's ambitious enough to matter and specific enough to actually measure. Register Now

AI and Automation Build Night: Prompt to Prototype Join fellow AI enthusiasts on Wednesday, April 16 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. and make your next big idea a reality. With expert mentors in the room and free tool credits from our partners, you'll have everything you need to go from a blank page to a working prototype in one night. Beginner and experienced builders are both welcome.