Hutch, the civic tech incubator presented by Fearless Institute, celebrated the graduation of its Class of 2025, marking the largest cohort in the program’s history and a significant milestone for inclusive innovation in Baltimore and beyond. Thirteen founders completed the rigorous nine-month program, achieving a 93 percent graduation rate and demonstrating the impact of long-term investment in socially and economically disadvantaged entrepreneurs building technology for the public good.
Launched in March 2025, Hutch’s sixth cohort brought together founders developing solutions for federal agencies, state and local governments, healthcare systems, and commercial enterprises. Participants received more than 75 hours of guided mentorship and 150 hours of specialized training, equipping them to navigate complex procurement environments while scaling mission-driven companies.
“Through Hutch, we’re not just building businesses—we’re developing leaders who will create meaningful impact through technology while establishing a more accessible and innovative civic tech sector for future generations,” said LaToya C. Staten, Executive Director of Fearless Institute.
The Class of 2025 was formally honored on December 12 during a graduation ceremony held at the Fearless Club at CFG Bank Arena. The celebration brought together more than 80 attendees, including founders, ecosystem partners, community leaders, and supporters, for an evening recognizing the cohort’s achievements.
Each graduate delivered a two-minute solution overview, offering a snapshot of the technology they are building and the public-sector challenges their companies address. The ceremony featured a keynote address from Likia Hawkins, CEO and Founder of Steel Point Solutions, who spoke on maintaining resilience, clarity, and momentum during times of uncertainty—particularly for founders operating in high-stakes, rapidly changing environments.
Several founders received special recognition during the ceremony. Jay Roy of OMNI Technologies and Tahmeed Rab of Kaizen Solutions Group were awarded Hutch Founder and Hutch Visionary badges, recognizing their leadership, innovation, and sustained progress throughout the program.
Jennifer D. Jones, CEO of the Howard County Economic Development Authority, addressed the graduating class and highlighted opportunities for continued collaboration between founders, local governments, and economic development partners as companies scale their solutions.
Throughout the program, cohort members achieved significant milestones. Taevon Bradley of StraightWay Media saw his documentary More Than Squeegeeing selected for the 2025 Baltimore International Black Film Festival and earned recognition through the Innovation Works Baltimore Storytelling Series. Stephanie Bagley of SCB Management Solutions secured a prime contract with Prince George’s County Public Schools for a capital planning system implementation. Angela Hamlin of Hamlin Consulting Services, LLC, expanded her national footprint by presenting her project management framework at a national conference and graduating from the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program. Dr. Willie Sanders Jr. of Pay IT Forward, Inc. expanded his international reach through global speaking engagements and co-authored a cybersecurity guide for emerging professionals.
The graduating companies span cybersecurity, cloud infrastructure, artificial intelligence, digital transformation, content creation, and workforce development. The Class of 2025 includes DATASYINC, Gambix, GenY Technologies, Hamlin Consulting Services, Kaizen Solutions Group, OMNI Technologies, Open Pixel, Optumize, Pay IT Forward, Inc., Repriv.Ai, SCB Management Solutions, Spencer Technology Solutions, and StraightWay Media.
LaToya Staten and Delali Dzirasa, Founder and CEO of Fearless, shared that 41 companies have completed Hutch to date, collectively generating more than $90 million in revenue and employing over 225 people—underscoring the program’s role as a powerful driver of economic mobility and inclusive growth.
Founded in 2019, Hutch operates as a long-term civic tech ecosystem rather than a traditional accelerator, providing founders with sustained support as they build, scale, and win in complex markets. As the Class of 2025 moves forward, their success reflects both individual achievement and the continued strengthening of Baltimore’s innovation economy—one rooted in purpose, equity, and impact.
