A two-year civic tech innovation program, launched by an Inner Harbor-based SaaS company, graduated its fourth cohort last week.

Fearless is no stranger to government contracts. With its Hutch incubator, the company seeks to support underrepresented entrepreneurs pursuing such lucrative deals. The program provides participant founders and companies tools, mentorship and peer-to-peer support to enhance their chances of success. Since Hutch's launch in 2019, Fearless has announced and recruited for multiple cohorts.

Mechanicode.io founder Emmanuel Apau, a former United States Digital Service engineer, was one participant to graduate from the incubator last week. He said that his company grew during its 24-month span.

“I’m a computer scientist, not a business owner,” Apau said. “So when I joined Hutch, I was a party of one. I saw this as an experiment. Can I start a business? Through the things that went on along the way and through my fellow Hutch members, all of that was a benefit to grow from a company of one to now a company of five.”

Hutch operates according to a belief that increasing minority- and women-led companies in the digital services world might be critical to building technology that could better serve the public.

“It isn’t easy building a business. It’s scary and challenging and filled with ups and downs,” said Fearless CEO Delali Dzirasa. “I am so very proud of all our Hutch graduates.”

Those who might be interested can watch a recap of the graduation on LinkedIn.

The seven businesses in Hutch’s 2022-2023 graduating cohort are:

• greiBO solutions: This marketing agency, founded by Phillip Stokes, aims to help customers understand their environment and how to secure their enterprise through data-driven decisions
• Mechanicode.io: Through its native engineering, IT modernization and automation, and software development consulting services, this firm, founded by a former USDS engineer Emmanuel Apau aims to “provide peace of mind with technology,” according to its website.
• Pixel Creative Services: This Virginia-based intelligence solutions company, founded by Christina Alchus, aims to provide helpful technology solutions, custom designs and products to its Department of Defense clients and partners.
• Eric Murphy cofounded Tall Glass Media, a full-service digital design studio that crafts creative experiences through strategy, research and design. According to a release sent to Technical.ly, Murphy wants to help organizations reach their goals by using “design as a catalyst for social impact."
• Marvin Douglas founded Baltimore-based Triton Technology to deliver cloud, security, Agile project management and automation services to government, healthcare agencies and the private sector.
• As a cybersecurity firm founded by a 21-year Army cyber warfare veteran, Hector Peralta, BlackRose Cyber Solutions, focuses on penetration testing.
• Code360 is an IT services company that provides software development and consulting. It specializes in advanced health IT, cloud, software development, business intelligence and open standards.