Walter Pat's Bakery Cafe Wins $100,000 2025 Comerica Hatch Detroit Contest by TechTown

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Walter Pat's Bakery Cafe, a Black woman-owned seasonal bakery, has won the 2025 Comerica Hatch Detroit Contest, securing a $100,000 grand prize from Comerica Bank. Founded by Lauren Ellis, an experienced pastry chef, the bakery specializes in viennoiseries and plans to open in Detroit's District 5. The contest, which attracted over 21,000 votes, also awarded $10,000 grants to three runners-up. The competition, supported by Comerica Bank and TechTown Detroit, has invested approximately $1.3 million since 2012, helping launch successful Detroit businesses. Walter Pat's Bakery joins notable previous winners including Sister Pie and Batch Brewing Company. The bakery will focus on Michigan seasonal produce and unique flavor combinations, blending Midwest and Southern influences.

Funds and technical support will help 2025 winner bring seasonal bakery to Detroit

DETROIT, June 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The winning small business of the 2025 Comerica Hatch Detroit Contest by TechTown has been announced! Walter Pat's Bakery Cafe is the winner of the 13th annual Comerica Hatch Detroit Contest, taking home the $100,000 grand prize from Comerica Bank to open the brick-and-mortar business of their dreams in Detroit, Hamtramck or Highland Park, as well as a business support package from TechTown Detroit, Wayne State University's entrepreneurship hub.

Walter Pat's Bakery Cafe is a seasonally driven, small-batch, Black woman-owned bakery that specializes in viennoiseries such as croissants, Danish pastries, brioche and specialty bread. It focuses on Michigan seasonal produce and flavors from both the Midwest and the South, offering unique flavor combinations alongside delicious classics.

Lauren Ellis, founder and owner, has been a pastry chef for over a decade and worked in New York, Chicago and Sydney, Australia. Her business is named after her grandmother, who Ellis looks to as an inspiration of hard work and staying true to herself.

With the $100,000 business grant from Comerica Bank, Ellis plans to open a storefront in District 5, where her grandmother lived.

This year, the three runner-up finalists were also awarded a $10,000 grant to assist with the opening of their storefronts, courtesy of TechTown's Small Business Support Hub grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.

"TechTown is proud of Walter Pat's Bakery Cafe's win and excited to continue to support the business as it grows into a staple in the local community," said Christianne Malone, Assistant Vice President for Economic Development at Wayne State University and Chief Program Officer of TechTown Detroit. "All of this year's Top 4 businesses will bring vitality to Detroit's small business ecosystem, and TechTown will continue to work with these entrepreneurs to help them bring their dream businesses to life and strengthen the communities in which they will be based."

Throughout the 2025 Comerica Hatch Detroit Contest, public voting determined which businesses advanced in the competition, narrowing 10 semi-finalists down to four finalists. After more than 21,000 votes were cast, the four finalists – Detroit Culture & Clay, Halie & Co, Livy's Sweet Rolls and Walter Pat's Bakery Cafe – were selected.

A second round of public voting opened on June 2 and concluded at tonight's event after each of the finalists pitched their business ideas live to a panel of judges and an audience of their community, families and peers.

Public votes and the judges' deliberation were taken into consideration in crowning Walter Pat's Bakery Cafe as the winner of the Hatch Off event on Wednesday, June 11, at the Wayne State University Industry Innovation Center in Detroit.

"Comerica Bank works extensively with small businesses and recognizes the hard work by each of the top four finalists. Each of these entrepreneurs has a promising future, as their retail storefront locations enhance our community," said Meghan Storey, Senior Vice President, Michigan Director of Small Business at Comerica Bank. "The Comerica Hatch Detroit Contest by TechTown continues to foster some of the best and brightest small business owners through access to capital guidance and technical assistance. Congratulations to Walter Pat's Bakery Cafe – we look forward to watching this company flourish and provide value in their neighborhood and surrounding area."  

Overall, including this year's contributions and grants, Comerica Bank and the Comerica Charitable Foundation have invested approximately $1.3 million into Hatch Detroit since it first began supporting the small business program in 2012.

Walter Pat's Bakery Cafe joins previous winners that are now some of Detroit's most successful and well-known businesses, including G.L.A.M. Body Scrubs (2024), Bouncing Around The Motor City (2023), Little Liberia (2022), 27th Letter Books (2019), Baobab Fare (2017), Meta Physica Massage (2016), Sister Pie (2014), Batch Brewing Company (2013) and La Feria (2012).

To learn more about the Hatch Detroit contest, visit HatchDetroit.com.

Comerica Bank, a subsidiary of Comerica Incorporated, has served Michigan longer than any other bank with a continuous presence dating back over 175 years to its Detroit founding in 1849. It is the largest bank employer in metro Detroit and has more than 4,300 employees (FTE) statewide. With one of the largest banking center networks in Michigan, Comerica nurtures lifelong relationships with unwavering integrity and financial prudence. Comerica positively impacts the lives of Michigan residents by helping customers be successful, providing financial support that assists hundreds of charitable organizations, and actively participating in Detroit's downtown revitalization. Comerica Incorporated (NYSE: CMA) is a financial services company strategically aligned by three business segments: The Commercial Bank, The Retail Bank, and Wealth Management. Follow on Facebook: www.facebook.com/Comerica, X: @ComericaBank and Instagram: @comerica_bank.

TechTown Detroit, Wayne State University's entrepreneurship hub, is a nonprofit business service organization that provides programs, education and resources for early- to growth-stage small businesses and tech entrepreneurs. By building bridges for entrepreneurs to succeed, TechTown is accelerating an inclusive economy for Detroit and Southeast Michigan. Since 2007, TechTown has supported more than 6,090 companies, which created 2,277 jobs and raised more than $406 million in startup and growth capital. For more information, visit techtowndetroit.org. 

Hatch Detroit supports both existing and new retail initiatives in the cities of Detroit, Hamtramck and Highland Park. Hatch Detroit was founded in 2011 to give residents and aspiring entrepreneurs an opportunity to have a voice in neighborhood retail development and joined TechTown Detroit's suite of entrepreneurial programs and services in 2022. Beyond the contest, Hatch Detroit provides funding, exposure and mentoring in support of its alumni entrepreneurs. With support from Hatch Detroit, 50 alumni have opened businesses. They employ over 500 people and have invested over $10 million in economic development. To learn more, visit hatchdetroit.com.

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SOURCE Comerica Bank

FAQ

What did Walter Pat's Bakery Cafe win in the 2025 Comerica Hatch Detroit Contest?

Walter Pat's Bakery Cafe won a $100,000 grand prize from Comerica Bank and a business support package from TechTown Detroit to open their brick-and-mortar business.

Who is the founder of Walter Pat's Bakery Cafe?

Lauren Ellis, a pastry chef with over a decade of experience working in New York, Chicago, and Sydney, Australia, is the founder and owner of Walter Pat's Bakery Cafe.

How much has Comerica Bank (CMA) invested in the Hatch Detroit program?

Comerica Bank and the Comerica Charitable Foundation have invested approximately $1.3 million into Hatch Detroit since 2012.

What type of bakery is Walter Pat's Bakery Cafe?

It is a seasonally driven, small-batch, Black woman-owned bakery specializing in viennoiseries such as croissants, Danish pastries, brioche, and specialty bread, featuring Michigan seasonal produce and Midwest-Southern flavor combinations.

How many votes were cast in the 2025 Comerica Hatch Detroit Contest?

More than 21,000 votes were cast during the contest to select the finalists from 10 semi-finalists.