About Hatch Bloomington

Hatch Bloomington is a retail pitch competition located in the City of Bloomington that gives ambitious entrepreneurs the opportunity to win a $100,000 financial assistance award, significant exposure, and a robust business network to tap into.

The award will help support the growth of the small business community in Bloomington. Community voting in the final two rounds will help ensure the winning idea reflects local needs and interests.

Funding and oversight

The City of Bloomington was grateful to the following organizations for their contributions to Hatch Bloomington 2025’s $100,000 financial award.

• Bloomington MN Travel and Tourism

• Bloomington Port Authority

• Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines

• Stearns Bank

Guided by state statute, Bloomington may use some general fund monies each year to nurture its small business community and to position the city as an attractive location for outside investment and economic activity.

When a winner has been selected, the City of Bloomington’s Port Authority will provide fiduciary oversight while working with the recipient to launch their business.

Hatch Bloomington by the numbers

The figures below summarize application activity, engagement, and media coverage during the contest’s first two years (2024 – 2025).

Number of competition participants

• 178 individual entrepreneurs began the application, with 94 accepted for consideration

Community engagement

• 17,715 total community votes cast during Top 10 and Top 3 pitch rounds

Total number of media publications mentioning Hatch

• 425 articles or news segments

Estimated viewership

• 247 million estimated reach

Estimated earned media

• $11.5 million

Media and publicity data obtained through Critical Mention (media monitoring platform) in December 2025.

Contest information